Previously on The West Wing: oh, it's just all about Ainsley -- good old Republican Ainsley-with-an-N -- as sincere, earnest and dutiful as a golden retriever, but with an even more lovely coat.

C.J.'s fielding questions at a press briefing. She first assures us that a Mr. Konanov will not be meeting with anyone of great importance during his visit to the White House; he will only be speaking with some of the President's advisors in the Balkans. A reporter states that Senator-elect Morgan Mitchell plans to seek a seat on the Foreign Relations Committee and that that he'll block a vote on the Test Ban Treaty and prevent it from coming to the floor. C.J. states that they will have a ratified Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. Another reporter says Mitchell says that will be over his dead body. Well, any way he wants it, I guess. C.J. replies that she thinks that Mitchell (to whom she refers as a "freshman") will find that his power is considerably more limited than he imagines. "The new Senate will ratify the treaty, and we really don't care what condition his body is in when..." Danny and a bunch of other reporters interrupt. Danny asks whether the President has considered ordering a lame-duck session so the current Senate can ratify the treaty. C.J. says, "Okay, anybody but Danny." Danny persists, and C.J. snaps, "No!" She says that she doesn't know POTUS's every thought, but that there have been no discussions that she's aware of; Danny wants to know for sure and requests that she check it out and get back to them about it. C.J. tersely says, "You bet. Who's next?"

Suddenly we're watching C.J. on the monitor in Josh's office and he tells Donna, "She walked into it. She knows it, too." He explains to Donna that she "can't confirm that the President hasn't considered it unless she asks the President if he's considered it, at which point he'll have considered it." Donna thinks that sounds pretty stupid. Josh claims that "it was a better organized thought when it was in my head." As they pedeconference, Donna asks if POTUS has considered it. Josh says he hasn't, and asks why he should. Donna blathers for a couple of seconds about that and immediately switches tracks to her concern du jour, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Josh complains about how she changes subjects so quickly and wants to know how she does it. Donna simply says, "Because I'm me." She asks if he knows how many people acquire carpal tunnel syndrome. Neither Josh nor I know exactly, although I bet a significant number of them are recappers of wordy TV shows. I'm just saying. Donna says that it's six hundred thousand Americans a year, and asks if he knows how painful it is. Josh glibly replies, "Donna, in the scheme of things, who really cares..." at which point she grabs his ear and pinches it firmly. She asks her question again and Josh says, "Yes, yes, yes, yes." She lets go and elaborates, "Pain in your forearm. No grip. You lose the ability to pinch. Josh: "People who lose the ability to pinch. I gotta tell you, I don't know from where they summon the will to go on." Donna informs him, "You guys are on the wrong side of this." Josh wonders if Donna isn't one of "you guys." She says, "Not on this."