A Change Is Gonna Come (The West Wing)
Encyclopedia
Plot
While preparing the upcoming ChinaChina
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
summit, the Chinese are insulted by President Bartlet's acceptance of a Taiwanese independence movement flag
Proposed flag of Taiwan
Several proposals for a flag of Taiwan have been initiated by supporters of Taiwan independence to replace the flag of the Republic of China as the national flag flown over Taiwan. Supporters of Taiwan independence object to the use of the flag of the Republic of China since it was designed by and...
at a prayer breakfast. Charlie must try and return the flag, and CJ has to agree to stipulations the Chinese are making in order to mend fences. Eventually at a performance by James Taylor
James Taylor
James Vernon Taylor is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. A five-time Grammy Award winner, Taylor was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000....
that evening paying tribute to Sam Cooke
Sam Cooke
Samuel Cook, , better known under the stage name Sam Cooke, was an American gospel, R&B, soul, and pop singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur. He is considered to be one of the pioneers and founders of soul music. He is commonly known as the King of Soul for his distinctive vocal abilities and...
, Jed confides to Abbey that he didn't see the flag. He couldn't tie his bow tie, hasn't been able to focus for over a day, and has lost the sight in his right eye. Meanwhile, former Vice-President John Hoynes asks Josh to run his presidential campaign. C.J. has taken Josh off the group going to China and is taking his place.
While all of this is going on C.J. orders Charlie Young to get the flag back after Bartlet has accepted it. This proves to be more difficult than one would think because the flag is actually hand stitched and very old. Finally, Charlie has a man from the Counsel's Office come down to the archives with him to retrieve the flag, citing a little-known and seldom used law saying that should a gift to the president harm foreign relations, he is legally not allowed to accept it.