The West Wing (TV Series)

Two Cathedrals (2001)

Martin Sheen: President Josiah Bartlet

Photos 

Quotes 

• President Josiah Bartlet : You're a son of a bitch, You know that? She bought her first new car and You hit her with a drunk driver. What? Was that supposed to be funny? "You can't conceive, nor can I, the appalling strangeness of the mercy of God," says Graham Greene. I don't know whose ass he was kissing there, 'cause I think You're just vindictive. What was Josh Lyman - a warning shot? That was my son. What did I ever do to Yours but praise His glory and praise His Name? There's a tropical storm that's gaining speed and power. They say we haven't had a storm this bad since You took out that tender ship of mine in the North Atlantic last year. Sixty-eight crew. You know what a tender ship does? Fixes the other ships. It doesn't even carry guns. It just goes around, fixes the other ships and delivers the mail. That's all it can do. Gratias tibi ago, Domine

  [Thank You, Lord] 

  President Josiah Bartlet : . Yes, I lied. It was a sin. I've committed many sins. Have I displeased You, You feckless thug? 3.8 million new jobs, that wasn't good?

  [scoffs] 

  President Josiah Bartlet : Bailed out Mexico. Increased foreign trade. Thirty million new acres of land for conservation. Put Mendoza on the bench. We're not fighting a war. I've raised three children. That's not enough to buy me out of the doghouse? Haec credam a Deo pio, a Deo iusto, a Deo scito? Cruciatus in crucem. Trus in terra servus, nuntius fui, officium perfeci. Cruciatus in crucem. Eas in crucem.

  [Am I really to believe that these are the actions of a loving God? A just God? A wise God? To Hell with Your punishments. I was Your servant here on Earth. I spread Your word and did Your work. To Hell with Your punishments. To Hell with You!] 

  President Josiah Bartlet : [deliberately lights a cigarette and grinds it out on the Cathedral floor]  You get Hoynes.

• President Josiah Bartlet : Yes... Sandy.

  Reporter Sandy : Mr. President, can you tell us right now if you'll be seeking a second term?

  President Josiah Bartlet : I'm sorry, Sandy, there was a bit of noise there. Could you repeat the question?

  Reporter Sandy : Can you tell us right now if you'll be seeking a second term?

  [Bartlet puts his hands in his pockets, looks to the side then looks back at the pool of reporters] 

  Leo McGarry : Watch this...

• Dolores Landingham : You don't know how to use the intercom.

  President Josiah Bartlet : It's not that I don't know how to use it. It's just that I haven't learned yet.

• President Josiah Bartlet : You ever been to National Cathedral?

  Charlie Young : Yes, sir

  President Josiah Bartlet : You know you can lay the Washington Monument on its side in that church.

  Charlie Young : I did, actually.

  President Josiah Bartlet : We should try it.