White House staff's ruthless power maneuvers against Rob Ritchie, from media leaks to motorcade sabotage, peak in Bartlet's fury-vow post-Simon's death.

In the Roosevelt Room, Congressman Ted warns Sam and Toby that the welfare bill risks failure without governors' support, but Toby swiftly exposes his true role as Florida Republican leader …

In the press area, Toby opens with sarcasm about Governor Ritchie's botched parade route—'He should have take the Cross Bronx to the West Side'—a veiled celebration of their orchestrated traffic …

In the theater mess, a casual encounter between President Bartlet and Governor Ritchie escalates from small talk about the play and Ritchie's traffic delay into raw confrontation. Bartlet reveals Secret …