The West Wing (TV Series)

Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc (1999)

Bradley Whitford: Josh Lyman

Quotes 

• Josh Lyman : Victory is mine, victory is mine. Great day in the morning, people, victory is mine.

  Donna Moss : Morning, Josh.

  Josh Lyman : I drink from the keg of glory, Donna. Bring me the finest muffins and bagels in all the land.

  Donna Moss : It's going to be an unbearable day.

• Josh Lyman : Someone give me a river to forge, a serpent to slay.

  C.J. Cregg : What's his problem?

  Donna Moss : He's been drinking from the keg of glory. We're to bring him all the muffins and bagels in the land.

  Toby Ziegler : We heard.

• President Josiah Bartlet : 27 lawyers in the room. Anybody know "Post hoc, ergo propter hoc"? Josh?

  Josh Lyman : Uh, uh, "post" - after, after hoc, "ergo" - therefore, "After hoc, therefore" something else hoc.

  President Josiah Bartlet : Thank you. Next?

  Josh Lyman : Well, if I had gotten more credit on the 443...

  President Josiah Bartlet : Leo?

  Leo McGarry : "After it therefore because of it."

  President Josiah Bartlet : "After it therefore because of it." It means one thing follows the other, therefore it was caused by the other. But it's not always true. In fact, it's hardly ever true.

• Donna Moss : What's going on?

  Josh Lyman : Nothing.

  Donna Moss : Really?

  Josh Lyman : Yes.

  Donna Moss : Are you lying?

  Josh Lyman : Yes.

  Donna Moss : So I should get out?

  Josh Lyman : Yes.

• Sam Seaborn : Look, I really like her and she's not what's you think.

  Josh Lyman : The only thing I know about her is, she's a call girl. Is she a call girl?

  Sam Seaborn : Yes.

  Josh Lyman : Then so far she's exactly what I think.

• Mandy Hampton : [Arguing with Sen. Lloyd Russell over a deal he's made with the White House, a deal that deprives her of a consulting job with the senator to do something antagonistic to the President]  You know what the worst part about this is? It's the party they're having in the West Wing at my expense.

  Lloyd Russell : They're not having a party in the West Wing.

  Mandy Hampton : I worked with these people for two-and-a-half years. They like to win, and then they like to gloat.

  Lloyd Russell : I'm sure you're wrong.

  Mandy Hampton : I'm sure I'm not.

  Lloyd Russell : There are very serious men and women at the White House. A blow has been struck for party unity this morning. There's no cause to gloat.

  [quick cut to the closed door of Josh Lyman's West Wing office] 

  Josh Lyman : [emerging from his office, shouting as he flings his door open]  Victory is mine, victory is mine. Great day in the morning, people, victory is mine.

• C.J. Cregg : The point is, we got whomped in Texas.

  Josh Lyman : We got whomped in Texas twice.