Duty

Generations of my family are turning in their graves right about now. Generations of Republicans. The look on my friend's faces said it all; they think I'm insane and they may have a point. And what exactly am I going to tell my father?

I really did intend telling Leo McGarry that I couldn't take the job, that I couldn't abandon my principles to work in a Democratic White House. I meant every word I said to Sam about guns and gun owners. Just how am I going to work in a White House that believes in tighter gun control when I don't? And it's not the only thing we're going to disagree on, we're going to clash on just about everything.

So why did I do it? Why did I abandon my principles? Well, I don't think I have. When Sam and Josh left the office, I couldn't help but follow. I heard President Bartlet talking to Kundu's president, offering him asylum. I saw him sit and talk to President Nmbala and I suddenly realized that these are good people. That they're committed to their beliefs, just as I'm committed to mine. I realized that there's no reason why we can't work together.

I've seen them all on TV. I know that they'll all scoff publicly at the idea that someone can put aside partisanship and work for the common good. But listening to Sam argue so passionately for gun control. Watching Josh's face, the amusement turn to something else. And then seeing as they read the note the young man passed them, as their faces changed again. Then finally watching them all in the Oval Office as the president told his counterpart about the coupe. It made me realize that some things are more important than partisanship.

I'll never convince my friends of that, but I think my father will understand. I know that many, if not most, people who work in the White House won't understand either. But the president has asked me to serve and, whether he's Republican or Democrat, how can I refuse a request like that?

END