There was an episode of the West Wing that I’d like to see again.

The only part of the episode I remember was the White House needed an
extra vote for something, so a Democrat was making outlandish demands
for his vote. Meanwhile, they find a Republican willing to vote
instead. They go back to the Democrat, and he says, "And I also want
such-and-such" and the White House guy says, "No."

I do not know what season it was or what the previous or subsequent
episodes were.

Which episode contains this scene?

And if that’s real easy, how about throwing in a couple of sites
that’ll give a primer so I can follow what’s going on in this show?

Hello Markabe,

It's been a while. How are you?


Your episode was "On the Day Before" (Third Season; Original Air Date:
10-31-01)

"... some important Democratic congressmen are holding out for some
compromising political favors that incense Bartlet and Leo"
source: West Wing Episode Guide
http://www.westwingepguide.com/S3/Episodes/49_OTDB.html


I am confident that this is the right episode.

View this transcript of "On the Day Before" hosted by Google Groups:
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&frame=right&th=d7d22f885d81d846&seekm=3BE9A89A.519E%40erols.com#link1
Specifically, here is the exchange where one of the Congressional
Democrats (Kirkland) is demanding things, and the White House guy
(Toby) is saying "no."

"KIRKLAND
We were talking about a tougher FDA crackdown on illegal uses of
antibiotics in milk such as excess dosages of-

TOBY
No.

KIRKLAND
Well, I wouldn't be so quick to say no.

TOBY
I think I will.

KIRKLAND
No to the FDA crackdown?

TOBY
No to everything."

source: Google Groups.
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&selm=3BE9A89A.519E%40erols.com&rnum=3

The Republican Congressman is named "Royce," and the exchange where he
makes a deal with the White House is in part of the same transcript
hosted by Google Groups:
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&selm=3BE9A8F8.5427%40erols.com


This was actually quite a bit of work, Markabe, so I'm not sure if I
need to give you anything else. ;-)

But...

Here are some primers that will help you to follow the show:

West Wing Continuity Guide: Unofficial
http://westwing.bewarne.com/

West Wing Episode Guide:
http://westwingepguide.com/

Bartlet4America
http://bartlet4america.org/

NBC's West Wing site:
http://www.nbc.com/The_West_Wing/index.html

Warner Brothers Site:
http://www2.warnerbros.com/web/westwingtv/episodes.jsp

search strategy: browsed the episode guide

I hope this helps.

Juggler came through for me again, and pinkfreud's comment wasn't bad
either. Excellent.

My favorite site for catching up on info related to recent TV shows is
Television without Pity.

Here are their three sections related to "The West Wing":

Television without Pity: "The West Wing" Recaps & Extras
http://www.televisionwithoutpity.com/show.cgi?show=4

Television without Pity: "The West Wing" Forum
http://www.televisionwithoutpity.com/ijsbb/forum.cgi?cn=16

Television without Pity: "The West Wing" FAQ
http://www.televisionwithoutpity.com/faq.cgi?show=4