Bartlet Litany of Electoral Victories, Affirmed by Leo

In the Oval Office, amid escalating crises like the silent U.S.S. Portland and campaign scandals, President Bartlet emphatically recites his unblemished electoral record—'Every single election... Legislature, house, governor'—as Chief of Staff Leo delivers terse, unwavering affirmations: 'Yes' and 'Yeah.' This ritualistic exchange excavates their deep trust and shared history, bolstering Bartlet's resolve, countering leadership doubts, and reinforcing his decisiveness for the submarine standoff while serving as a character anchor in the season's mounting pressures.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

Bartlet asserts his political track record with palpable intensity, marking himself as a seasoned leader.

assertiveness to insistence

Leo acknowledges Bartlet's statement with a brief but loaded affirmation, signaling shared history and respect.

recognition to alignment

Bartlet doubles down, listing specific elections with clipped precision, reinforcing his authority.

intensity to command

Leo delivers another terse agreement, the brevity underscoring the weight of Bartlet's words.

solidarity to gravitas

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

Josiah Edward 'Jed' Bartlet (President of the United States)

President of the United States

primary

determined

emphatically recites his unblemished electoral record: 'Every single election... Legislature, house, governor'

Goals in this moment

• assert political record to bolster resolve
• demonstrate decisiveness amid submarine crisis and leadership doubts

Character traits

politically pragmatic jocular policy‑driven paternal commands institutional authority relational — centers staff and family centralizing (commands staff attention and schedules) centralized authority figure strategically vital intelligent politically consequential (actions and associations create immediate risk) protocol-driven calculating principled in public rhetoric vulnerable emotionally forceful institutionally minded performative control of public optics candid principled politically vulnerable (per party strategists and press) strategic witty/jocular under pressure vulnerable-to-proxy-actions collegial poised decisive principled but electorally mindful resolute constitutional protective (paternal focus on family safety) deliberative ruthless burdened decisive when confronted with moral stakes authoritative/managerial paternal/protective regionally grounded politically strategic supportive traditional weary/resolute authoritative public-facing decisive in crisis loyal blunt protective politically consequential measured committed politically shrewd risk‑aware consequential self-aware witty institutional (symbolic center of staff effort) ceremonial

Follow Josiah Edward …'s journey

Leo Thomas McGarry (Chief of Staff)

White House Chief of Staff

primary

Unshakable confidence masking crisis strain

Leo delivers terse, unwavering affirmations 'Yes' and 'Yeah' in direct response to Bartlet's electoral recitation, his presence a steady counterpoint in the Oval Office, embodying silent solidarity through minimal verbal reinforcement.

Goals in this moment

• Reinforce Bartlet's self-assurance in his record
• Solidify their partnership amid mounting pressures

Active beliefs

• Bartlet's electoral perfection is unassailable
• Shared history guarantees mutual strength in adversity

Character traits

stoic loyal concise resolute

Follow Leo Thomas …'s journey

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

What this causes 3

Character Continuity medium

"Bartlet's assertiveness in declaring political record reflects his same decisiveness on the submarine crisis."

Bartlet's Raw Confession: 'I Don't Want to Be President'

S3E6 · Gone Quiet

Character Continuity medium

"Bartlet's assertiveness in declaring political record reflects his same decisiveness on the submarine crisis."

Leo's Stark Refocus: 'Fifty-Five Minutes'

S3E6 · Gone Quiet

Character Continuity medium

"Bartlet's assertiveness in declaring political record reflects his same decisiveness on the submarine crisis."

Bartlet Exasperatedly Defies Albie's Submarine Disaster Warnings

S3E6 · Gone Quiet

Key Dialogue

"BARTLET: "Every single election..." LEO: "Yes.""

"BARTLET: "Legislature, house, governor." LEO: "Yeah.""