The West Wing Slow News Day (Season 5, Episode 12)
TV-14
TV Episode | 42 min | Drama

The West Wing

Slow News Day (Season 5, Episode 12)

TV-14

TV Episode | 42 min | Drama

Toby awakens at 3 a.m. with an idea of how to save the social security program for future generations, leading him to meet in secret with the president and volunteer to "touch the third rail" of American politics. Toby meets with ...See moreToby awakens at 3 a.m. with an idea of how to save the social security program for future generations, leading him to meet in secret with the president and volunteer to "touch the third rail" of American politics. Toby meets with influential Republican senator Gaines about putting aside partisanship in the interest of preserving the critical safety net, and he gets a favorable response, but someone who saw them together leaks the meeting to the press. Toby also gets Dem. senator Brainerd on board with assurances that both sides need to compromise and that the Republican agreed. Elsewhere, Josh tries to help boost the new v.p.'s profile and bland image by having him comically attack the same senator for his weak fundraising efforts. By day's end, both Gaines and Brainerd have publicly withdrawn from Toby's previously secret plan and publicly refused to consider the compromises they'd initially offered. The president angrily orders Toby to fix what he's broken, in response to which Toby submits his resignation letter to Leo. Toby finally sits down with Josh, who is livid at having been kept out of the loop on the s.s. matter, and they discuss the president's legacy and the greater issue of making a lasting impact for the American people, after which Josh recommends turning to Dem. senator Turner to reignite the agreement, leading to a bipartisan negotiation and the White House's realization that the good of the people has to trump any presidential legacy. Written by meebly See less

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Cast	+ Add Cast
24 cast members

Name	Known for
Dulé Hill Charlie Young Charlie Young See fewer	Psych (2006)
Allison Janney C.J. Cregg C.J. Cregg See fewer	The Help (2011)
Joshua Malina Will Bailey Will Bailey See fewer	A Few Good Men (1992)
Janel Moloney Donna Moss Donna Moss See fewer	The West Wing (1999)
Richard Schiff Toby Ziegler Toby Ziegler See fewer	Man of Steel (2013)
John Spencer Leo McGarry Leo McGarry See fewer	The West Wing (1999)
Bradley Whitford Josh Lyman Josh Lyman See fewer	Get Out (I) (2017)
Martin Sheen President Josiah Bartlet President Josiah Bartlet See fewer	The Departed (2006)
Melissa Marsala Rina Rina See fewer	White Oleander (2002)
Josef Sommer Steve Gaines Steve Gaines See fewer	Dirty Harry (1971)
Kate Burton Sarah Brainerd Sarah Brainerd See fewer	Big Trouble in Little China (1986)
Michael Nouri Roy Turner Roy Turner See fewer	The Watcher (2022)
Scott Allan Campbell Grey Polk Grey Polk See fewer	White Oleander (2002)
Joaquim de Almeida Carlos Carrio Carlos Carrio See fewer	Fast Five (2011)
Melissa Fitzgerald Carol Fitzpatrick Carol Fitzpatrick See fewer	Frequency (2000)
Mindy Seeger Chris Chris See fewer	Junior (1994)
Ron Ostrow John John See fewer	Sports Night (1998)
Joyce Guy Reporter Charlayne Reporter Charlayne See fewer	General Hospital (1963)
Ivan Allen News Anchor Roger Salier News Anchor Roger Salier See fewer	The West Wing (1999)
Tom Chick Reporter Gordon (as Tom W. Chick) Reporter Gordon (as Tom W. Chick) See fewer	Frasier (1993)
John J. Dalesandro Secret Service Agent Secret Service Agent See fewer	The West Wing (1999)
James Ingersoll Cable News Pundit Cable News Pundit See fewer	Back to School (1986)
Robert Aguilar Jr. Marine Guard (uncredited) Marine Guard (uncredited) See fewer	Save the Date (IV)
Kevin Fabian Bruce (uncredited) Bruce (uncredited) See fewer	Perry Mason (2020)