"Mrs Bartlett." Donna said as she joined the party just as they were about
to get into the cars to go back to the hotel.
"Donna, I hear the press conference went as planned." Abbey said with a smile.
"Yes ma'am. CJ's going to release a statement from the White House at her briefing in about thirty minutes. I've talked it over and I'm going to issue a statement on your behalf and answer a few questions. The President would like to talk to you when we get back to the hotel."
"I'm sure he would. You may want to talk to Josh, he's not in the best moods and he wants to say something to the press even though he doesn't know exactly what was said. Would you care to inform me?"
"The Governor insinuated that I slept my way into this job. Unless we've had some liaisons ma'am that I don't know about I think the Governor is going out on a limb. He doesn't like you and he thinks I'm an easy target because I've only had this job a few days. We've set up some meeting when we get back to the White House to discuss the issue of homeless children and I'm going to look at giving the west wing a push in the direction of legislation to help improve conditions for them. I'll try and set up meetings with some Senators and Congressmen on relevant committees and I know a few who could use the positive press working on such a bill would receive."
"Donna, Josh loves you he has every right to be mad."
"I know. I'm mad too but I have a job to do ma'am and once we're back in DC I need the weekend off. Josh and I need to go through everything and hopefully we can work out where we stand. We probably would have stood a better chance if the President hadn't sent him down here and he hadn't pushed him into a place where he'd have to react."
"You're a good girl Donna. Talk to Josh before the press conference." Abbey advised.
"Yes ma'am."
~ ~
"Josh, we need to talk a minute." Donna said as she found him waiting for at the hotel.
"I think we do. How could you let Danny asked the Governor about saying you slept your way into the White House."
"Because if he's attacking me, he's not attacking Mrs Bartlett. Plus he has no basis for his comments. I never did anything wrong while I worked for you during the campaign or while I was your assistant. Anything that happens between us now is a totally different consequence." Donna explained.
"Donna putting yourself up for sacrifice is not a good idea."
"Josh, every time someone threatens the Leo or the President you offer yourself up to take the fall and I love you for it. I may have had this job a few days but I've watched you all for years it was the right thing to do. Now I've got to go and give a press conference and provide the First Lady's comments on the Governor's statement. I need you either stay here or go and see the Mrs Bartlett. John is going to stand outside, please let me handle this." She gave him a quick kiss.
"Okay but I don't like it." Josh said with a sigh.
"I know you don't, neither do I but I'm going."
~ ~
"Working to help homeless children has always been on Mrs Bartlett's agenda. The offer to meet with the Governor to discuss this issue, which was included in the Governor's campaign strategy, I made earlier was too get a state opinion on the issue. Meetings have been set up to work more extensively on this issue when we return to Washington. The Governor has made no secret that he personally dislikes Mrs Bartlett, but she was willing to overlook this to work on this important issue. Mrs Bartlett will not steep to the Governor's level of name calling, but is shocked at his comments."
"Miss Moss." One of the press corps asked.
"Yes." Donna said pointing to him.
"Would you like to comment on the Governor's comments on how you got your job?"
"I joined the Bartlett for America campaign in Nashua New Hampshire as a volunteer after hearing the President make a speech which made me believe in politicians again. I volunteered, as Josh Lyman's assistant because he didn't have one at the time and was very disorganised. I continued to work for him on the campaign apart from a two-month period when I returned home. I formed a close bond with all the senior campaign staff as we worked long hours to get the President elected. I was asked to continue to Mr Lyman's assistant after the President won by Mr Lyman, White House Chief of Staff Leo McGarry and by the President himself. Mr Lyman and I have a very close relationship as we spent long day, sometimes eighteen - twenty hour, working together. When you work that closely with someone a friendship tends to develop, especially after the events of Rosslyn. Almost two weeks ago I was asked by the President to accompany Mrs Bartlett on this trip. Mrs Bartlett herself, asked me to be her Chief of Staff, which was an honour and after discussions with the President, I was appointed her Chief of Staff. In all the time throughout the campaign and through our years in the White House up until I was appointed to this position my relationship with the senior staff has always been above board and professional. Our friendship have only intensified as we carried out our jobs and have allowed the fluid running of the White House and it was an honour to work for Mr Lyman. Any allegations the Governor has made about me are unsubstantiated. For anymore comments please refer to CJ Cregg the White House Press Secretary. Thank you."
"Donna, I hear the press conference went as planned." Abbey said with a smile.
"Yes ma'am. CJ's going to release a statement from the White House at her briefing in about thirty minutes. I've talked it over and I'm going to issue a statement on your behalf and answer a few questions. The President would like to talk to you when we get back to the hotel."
"I'm sure he would. You may want to talk to Josh, he's not in the best moods and he wants to say something to the press even though he doesn't know exactly what was said. Would you care to inform me?"
"The Governor insinuated that I slept my way into this job. Unless we've had some liaisons ma'am that I don't know about I think the Governor is going out on a limb. He doesn't like you and he thinks I'm an easy target because I've only had this job a few days. We've set up some meeting when we get back to the White House to discuss the issue of homeless children and I'm going to look at giving the west wing a push in the direction of legislation to help improve conditions for them. I'll try and set up meetings with some Senators and Congressmen on relevant committees and I know a few who could use the positive press working on such a bill would receive."
"Donna, Josh loves you he has every right to be mad."
"I know. I'm mad too but I have a job to do ma'am and once we're back in DC I need the weekend off. Josh and I need to go through everything and hopefully we can work out where we stand. We probably would have stood a better chance if the President hadn't sent him down here and he hadn't pushed him into a place where he'd have to react."
"You're a good girl Donna. Talk to Josh before the press conference." Abbey advised.
"Yes ma'am."
~ ~
"Josh, we need to talk a minute." Donna said as she found him waiting for at the hotel.
"I think we do. How could you let Danny asked the Governor about saying you slept your way into the White House."
"Because if he's attacking me, he's not attacking Mrs Bartlett. Plus he has no basis for his comments. I never did anything wrong while I worked for you during the campaign or while I was your assistant. Anything that happens between us now is a totally different consequence." Donna explained.
"Donna putting yourself up for sacrifice is not a good idea."
"Josh, every time someone threatens the Leo or the President you offer yourself up to take the fall and I love you for it. I may have had this job a few days but I've watched you all for years it was the right thing to do. Now I've got to go and give a press conference and provide the First Lady's comments on the Governor's statement. I need you either stay here or go and see the Mrs Bartlett. John is going to stand outside, please let me handle this." She gave him a quick kiss.
"Okay but I don't like it." Josh said with a sigh.
"I know you don't, neither do I but I'm going."
~ ~
"Working to help homeless children has always been on Mrs Bartlett's agenda. The offer to meet with the Governor to discuss this issue, which was included in the Governor's campaign strategy, I made earlier was too get a state opinion on the issue. Meetings have been set up to work more extensively on this issue when we return to Washington. The Governor has made no secret that he personally dislikes Mrs Bartlett, but she was willing to overlook this to work on this important issue. Mrs Bartlett will not steep to the Governor's level of name calling, but is shocked at his comments."
"Miss Moss." One of the press corps asked.
"Yes." Donna said pointing to him.
"Would you like to comment on the Governor's comments on how you got your job?"
"I joined the Bartlett for America campaign in Nashua New Hampshire as a volunteer after hearing the President make a speech which made me believe in politicians again. I volunteered, as Josh Lyman's assistant because he didn't have one at the time and was very disorganised. I continued to work for him on the campaign apart from a two-month period when I returned home. I formed a close bond with all the senior campaign staff as we worked long hours to get the President elected. I was asked to continue to Mr Lyman's assistant after the President won by Mr Lyman, White House Chief of Staff Leo McGarry and by the President himself. Mr Lyman and I have a very close relationship as we spent long day, sometimes eighteen - twenty hour, working together. When you work that closely with someone a friendship tends to develop, especially after the events of Rosslyn. Almost two weeks ago I was asked by the President to accompany Mrs Bartlett on this trip. Mrs Bartlett herself, asked me to be her Chief of Staff, which was an honour and after discussions with the President, I was appointed her Chief of Staff. In all the time throughout the campaign and through our years in the White House up until I was appointed to this position my relationship with the senior staff has always been above board and professional. Our friendship have only intensified as we carried out our jobs and have allowed the fluid running of the White House and it was an honour to work for Mr Lyman. Any allegations the Governor has made about me are unsubstantiated. For anymore comments please refer to CJ Cregg the White House Press Secretary. Thank you."