Writer:	Aaron Sorkin
Story:	Peter Parnell, Allison Abner
Director:	Ken Olin
Star:	Martin Sheen (President Jed Bartlet),  Dulé Hill (Charlie Young),  Allison Janney (Claudia Jean "C.J." Cregg),  Rob Lowe (Sam Seaborn (Episodes 1-84)),  Richard Schiff (Toby Ziegler),  John Spencer (Leo McGarry),  Bradley Whitford (Josh Lyman),  Janel Moloney (Donna Moss (Episodes 23-, recurring previously))
Recurring Role:	Melissa Fitzgerald (Carol Fitzpatrick),  Nicole Robinson (Margaret),  Emily Procter (Ainsley Hayes),  Kris Murphy (Katie Witt),  Mindy Seeger (Chris),  Charles Noland (Steve),  Randy Brooks (Arthur Leeds),  Kim Webster (Ginger)
Guest Star:	Zakes Mokae (Ned Nimbala),  Michael Chinyamurindi (Nimbala's Interpreter),  Ted McGinley (Mark Gottfried),  Tom Gallop (Bruce),  Tracy McCubbin (Lily),  Lorenzo Callender (George),  Bill Stevenson (Jaworski),  Tom Hall (Mike),  Sean Patrick Murphy (Floor Manager),  Jerry Sroka (Reporter),  Brigid Brannagh (Harriet),  Sam Jaeger (Bill Kelley),  Len Cariou (Alan Damson),  Michael Cavanaugh (Pharmaceutical Company Executive)

Awards and Nominations:
This episode was nominated in the category of Drama Episode at the 2001 Shine Awards. (edit) Emily Procter starts her recurring role as Ainsley Hayes. (edit) In this episode, Leo says: "The President likes smart people who disagree with him." In Sorkin's "Sports Night", Issac says: "If you're stupid, surround yourself with smart people. If you're smart, surround yourself with smart people who disagree with you." (edit) The theme tune used for the TV show "Capital Beat" is the theme from "ITN News at 10" in the United Kingdom. (edit)

Ainsley: Say they´re smug and superior. Say their approach to public policy makes you wanna tear your hair out. Say they like high taxes and spending your money. Say they want to take your guns and open your borders. But don´t call them worthless. At least don´t do it in front of me. The people that I´ve met, have been extraordinarily qualified. Their intent is good, their commitment is true. They are righteous, and they are patriots. And I´m their lawyer. (edit) Ainsley: Mr. McGarry, I loathe almost everything you believe in. (She stands up)
Leo: Where are you going?
Ainsley: I'm not going anywhere. I'm standing up which is how one speaks in opposition in a civilized world.
Leo: Well, you go girl. (edit) Leo: (closes the door) Were you offered coffee or something to drink?
Ainsley: Yes, the woman who works out there, who I imagine is your secretary, offered me coffee or something.
Leo: Okay.
Ainsley: She was also kind enough to ask for my coat.
Leo: Excellent, and...
Ainsley: She seems to be a very good secretary.
Leo: She'll be happy to hear that, she's standing right outside the door.
(He thumps his hand on the door.)
Margaret (Voiceover): Ow.
(edit) Leo (arriving in the doorway of C.J.'s Office): The two of you, come take a walk with me.
(They all walk out into the bullpen.)
Sam: What's going on?
Leo: (turning to face them) I wanted to tell you this out where there were people so you wouldn't scream about it.
C.J.: Scream about what?
Leo: The woman who was on Capital Beat with Sam Sunday night.
Sam: What about her?
Leo: I'm offering her a job.
Sam: (sharply) Where?
Leo: Here.
C.J.: Are you kidding?
Leo: No.
C.J.: Are you kidding?
Leo: (more firmly) No.
C.J.: (getting louder) Are you kidding?
Leo: No.
C.J.: WELL, WHAT THE HELL MADE YOU THINK I WOULDN'T SCREAM WHERE THERE ARE PEOPLE?!
(Everyone turns to stare.)
Leo: I took a shot.
Sam and C.J.: (shrieking in unison) Leo! (edit) Leo: You have an interesting conversational style, do you know that?
Ainsley: It's a nervous condition.
Leo: I used to have a nervous condition.
Ainsley: Really? How did yours manifest itself?
Leo: I drank a lot of scotch.
Ainsley: I get sick when I drink too much.
Leo: I get drunk when I drink too much. (edit)

The phone number Ainsley Hayes reads from her new phone, (202) 456-1414, really is a phone number at the White House. It's listed as an undisclosed number at a company called "The White House" located at 17th And PA Ave NW, Washington DC. (edit) C.J.: ...in a half hour with President Bartlet and President Nimbala of the Republic of Equatorial Kuhndu who's representing the African nations.

Kuhndu is not a real country.
(edit)

During the scene on Capitol Beat, host Mark Gottfried asks "why is this bill better than the Republican package the president vetoed?" But in the season 3 episode "Ways and Means", it is stated that the President has never vetoed a bill before! (edit)

Ainsley: This White House that loves the Bill of Rights, all of them - except the second one.

The Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is the right to bear arms.
It says:
"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." (edit)