Bartlet Unloads Eco-Backlash Fury and Grills Leo on Missile Shield Motives
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Bartlet vents his frustration to Leo and Josh about the backlash from environmental groups and congressmen over his speech, threatening political repercussions.
Bartlet confronts Leo about his motives for pushing the missile shield, demanding honesty about whether it's for genuine belief or political optics.
Leo defends his support for the missile shield, arguing for its potential despite current failures, while Josh sarcastically suggests bribing North Korea instead.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
frustrated, angry
enters Oval Office, vents explosive frustration to Leo and Josh about irate calls from environmental leaders, accuses Leo of pushing missile shield for political posturing, yells for Nancy, formally accepts Marbury's credentials and conducts handshake and photo op
- • unload fury over eco-backlash from speech
- • grill Leo on true motives for missile shield
- • perform diplomatic credential acceptance ceremony
witty, critical
enters Oval Office with entourage, banters with Bartlet about waiting, opposes missile shield in debate with Bartlet and Leo, hands credentials folder to Bartlet, shakes hands with Bartlet and Leo, poses for photos
- • complete credential presentation and acceptance ceremony
- • voice opposition to missile shield
Anticipatory readiness (inferred)
Not physically present but directly invoked by Bartlet through Nancy as the next aide to be summoned once ready, underscoring his role as gatekeeper in the unfolding Oval protocol sequence.
- • Prepare for imminent presidential summons
- • Coordinate credential ceremony logistics
- • Personal aide duty stabilizes White House rhythms
- • Protocol adherence averts diplomatic snags
Calm professionalism under pressure
Promptly enters Oval Office at Bartlet's yelled summons during his tirade, stands attentively, and confirms she'll relay to Charlie that the President is ready, facilitating the next protocol step.
- • Execute President's immediate directive without delay
- • Maintain seamless operational flow amid chaos
- • Chain of command ensures crisis navigation
- • Swift obedience preserves executive authority
Furious indignation (via recount)
Referenced by Bartlet as the latest caller unloading manipulative accusations, representing congressional eco-outrage in the cascade of threats fueling his rage.
- • Pressure President on environmental policy reversal
- • Mobilize allies against perceived betrayals
- • Executive maneuvers undermine green coalitions
- • Threats enforce accountability
Outraged and coordinated (via recount)
Cited by Bartlet in recount of multi-group conference call barrage, unleashing thesaurus-synonyms for 'manipulative' as part of eco-lobby assault on his speech.
- • Force White House concession on eco-terrorism stance
- • Coordinate cross-org pressure
- • Bartlet's rhetoric endangers environmental gains
- • Unified fronts amplify leverage
Threatening resolve (via recount)
Highlighted by Bartlet for explicit threat to back Seth Gillette's third-party bid if rebuke continues, escalating conference call into electoral blackmail.
- • Punish President via third-party insurgency
- • Defend eco-purity against moderation
- • Compromise invites donor revolt
- • Radical threats realign policy
Instrumental threat (inferred via proxy)
Weaponized by Bryce Davis as third-party challenger specter in call, dangling Bartlet's job in eco-ultimatum to fracture Democratic unity.
- • Exploit eco-dissatisfaction for candidacy boost
- • Challenge incumbent vulnerabilities
- • Bartlet's flaws create viable openings
- • Green backing fuels insurgencies
formally presents Lord Marbury and requests Bartlet accept credentials
- • facilitate diplomatic credential ceremony
Organizations Involved
Institutional presence and influence
Environmental Lobby haunts Bartlet's rant as collective force behind thesaurus-fueled fury and Gillette threats, embodying covert 'drop-in' rebuke's blowback—policy wins curdling into donor rage over eco-terrorism evasion.
North Korea invoked in Josh's sardonic quip as quintessential rogue threat, crystallizing missile shield debate—$60B bribe vs. defense—while underscoring staff cynicism toward hawkish spending amid failed test fallout.
Sierra Club materializes as furious backlash engine through Bryce Davis's direct threat in Bartlet's recounted conference call, amplifying outrage over presidential eco-terrorism spankdown into third-party defection vow, fracturing alliances in real-time Oval venting.
Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment surges via three Democratic congressmen's participation in the blistering call, fusing oversight muscle with eco-activists to bombard Bartlet with 'manipulative' synonyms, embodying Hill pressure piercing Oval sanctity.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Leo's update on the failed missile defense test and his subsequent debate with Marbury both explore the theme of technological ambition versus pragmatic skepticism."
"Leo's update on the failed missile defense test and his subsequent debate with Marbury both explore the theme of technological ambition versus pragmatic skepticism."
"Leo's update on the failed missile defense test and his subsequent debate with Marbury both explore the theme of technological ambition versus pragmatic skepticism."
"Leo's update on the failed missile defense test and his subsequent debate with Marbury both explore the theme of technological ambition versus pragmatic skepticism."
Key Dialogue
"BARTLET: I want to know when you're pushing me towards the missile shield it's not because you want me to look strong on defense."
"LEO: I'm not. I'm pushing you to the missile defense shield cause I think it works."
"LEO: Confidence. And the understanding that there's been a time in the evolution of everything that works when it didn't work."
"JOSH: You know, can I say this? Why don't we just give the sixty billion dollars to North Korea in exchange for not bombing us?"