"Why should Bob Russell be the next President of the United States?"
Donna turned to face the reporter who'd asked the question, a young-looking woman who was holding an outstretched microphone. They were at a campaign rally in Iowa, and the Vice President was working the rope line after having given a rousing stump speech. Well, maybe "rousing" was a bit of an exaggeration, but it had been pretty good. The crowd had cheered, at least. Donna still wasn't entirely used to talking to the media, but this was an easy question. Of course she knew why Russell should be President. She'd spent weeks studying his background, his qualifications, his positions on the issues…
"Ms. Moss?"
"Bob Russell has the experience we need to lead our nation at this critical time." She got the vague feeling that she was parroting campaign literature word-for-word, but she went on. "He serves with distinction as Vice President of the United States, and before that he was in the House of Representatives."
"Yes, we all know that much." The reporter pressed. "But my question is, why should he be President?"
"He's strong on the economy. He wants to cut taxes for middle-class Americans. He's a good Democrat." She cringed as soon as those last words were out of her mouth. She knew they wouldn't make the best sound bite in the world.
"A good Democrat? That's the most you can say for him?"
"No, I-"
"Are you suggesting that his primary opponents aren't good Democrats?"
"No, absolutely not. All I meant was – look. Bob Russell is highly qualified, and he's right on the issues that matter to this country. That's why he should be President."
"Thank you, Ms. Moss." The reporter walked away, and Donna turned to see Will standing behind her. From his face, it was clear he'd heard the exchange.
"Well, that was a train wreck," she sighed, walking over to him. She wasn't quite sure whether he would comfort her or chew her out.
"Don't worry about it. Awkward moments with the media are part of being in a campaign. Besides, that reporter was a jerk."
"It's their job to be jerks to people like us. I'm supposed to be able to not get tripped up."
Will was about to respond when his Blackberry rang. He answered it, walking a few steps away from Donna for privacy. A few minutes later, he approached her again.
"Well, you can stop feeling guilty about abandoning Josh," he announced.
"Why?"
"He's resigned his position at the White House."
"What?" She stared at him, wondering if she'd heard him correctly. Josh had quit? Why?
"Yep. Apparently Congressman Matt Santos has decided to get into the Presidential race, and Josh is running his campaign now. Go figure."
Donna tried to absorb the news. She knew that Josh had been dissatisfied with the idea of either Russell or Hoynes as the Democratic nominee, and shortly before she'd quit he'd said something to her about possibly backing a "dark-horse" candidate. But she'd been too distracted by her own plans to really pay attention to him. She found it nearly impossible to picture him actually giving up his dream job at the White House. For him to have done that for this Santos guy...Donna didn't know all that much about Congressman Santos, but she figured he must have something going for him to have earned that kind of vote of confidence from Josh.
"Anyway, I think this might end up being good for us," Will added.
"Why? Because I'll stop feeling guilty and will be able to concentrate on my work?"
"No." Will rolled his eyes. "Again, get over yourself. Look, Santos is going nowhere. No way he makes it out of Iowa and New Hampshire. Josh has to know that. I can't figure out why…" he paused. "But anyway, the Santos campaign will be over in a month, tops, and Josh will be unemployed. If – when – Russell locks up the nomination, what's he going to do other than work for us full-time?"
Donna frowned. "Josh isn't exactly the Vice President's biggest fan. You really think he'd join our campaign?"
"Russell may not be his first choice for the nomination, but once we're in the general election there's no way he sits it out. Not Josh Lyman. You really think he could stand to see a Republican replace Jed Bartlet in the White House?"
"Probably not," Donna conceded.
"But this whole Santos thing is strange." Will shook his head. "It just doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Why quit your job and pour your heart and soul into a candidate who has no chance of getting off the ground?"
"You really don't think Santos has any chance at all? I mean, if Josh sees something in him, then maybe-"
"Donna, please."
"Hey, you never know. Long shots have been known to come from behind. Bartlet was a long shot at first, remember?"
"Not this much of a long shot. Look, Santos has no money, and no name recognition. He doesn't even have much of a resume. I mean, three terms in the House? What's that? No, there's going to be no epic 'underdog pulls it out' story this time. One of two people is going to get this nomination: Russell or Hoynes. We have to make sure it's Russell."
Donna nodded, and then was quiet for a moment.
"Will?" she finally ventured.
"Yeah?"
"Why should Bob Russell be the next President of the United States?"
Will thought for a minute. Donna noted that he didn't seem to have an instant, heartfelt answer for that question any more than she did.
"You know, I think you had it about right with that reporter," he finally concluded. "He's a good Democrat. Better than Hoynes, anyway. At least when you hear his name, the first words that come to mind are not 'sex scandal'. He's going to get the nomination. And we're Democrats. We have to do everything we can to build him up so that he'll win in November. We can't let the White House fall into enemy hands."
"Enemy hands?"
"Republican hands. No way." Will shook his head firmly. He looked at her carefully. "You're 100% with me on that, right?"
"Of course." Donna nodded. She didn't like hearing Republicans referred to as enemies. She didn't like the idea of having enemies. But she supposed she was going to have to get used to it. This was what she had signed up for. She was an important player on a Presidential campaign. How many people got that kind of opportunity? She decided she would work on not being critical of Russell or the campaign, and instead simply be grateful for Will's willingness to take a chance and hire her.