Fiery Clash: Hoynes at the MS Press Conference?
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Toby raises the critical question of whether to include Vice President Hoynes in the press conference, sparking debate about political optics and trust.
Sam argues for Hoynes' inclusion to demonstrate continuity and endorsement, while C.J. counters with concerns about highlighting the concealment of Bartlet's MS.
Sam passionately defends their actions, insisting on transparency, while C.J. sarcastically dismisses his oversimplification.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Neutral (not present; inferred poised for leverage)
Hoynes is absent but centrally debated as the potential press conference participant to signal unity and succession readiness, with fears he could face grilling or hedge on Bartlet's fitness.
- • Position for endorsement optics if included
- • Avoid entrapment in health cover-up questions
- • His presence endorses Bartlet but opens power-play risks
- • Party continuity hinges on his visible backing
Frustrated and exasperated, shifting to urgent focus
C.J. sharply opposes Hoynes' involvement fearing press grilling on complicity, snaps sarcastically at Sam's idealism, accepts glasses and note on Haiti crisis, then exits abruptly to prepare briefing.
- • Block Hoynes to minimize cover-up exposure risks
- • Respond swiftly to emerging Haiti briefing demands
- • Press corps will exploit Hoynes into a scandal jury
- • Strategic caution trumps idealistic transparency now
Fervently determined, defiant against doubt
Sam ardently defends including Hoynes as a vital endorsement of Bartlet's health and party continuity, challenges C.J.'s caution with transparency demands, and pivots to party obligations when pressed by Toby on succession.
- • Secure Hoynes' role to project unified leadership
- • Affirm Bartlet's fitness through party endorsement logic
- • Transparency via Hoynes validates the cover-up's necessity
- • Party duty demands clear succession if Bartlet falters
Gravely concerned, masking doubt with pointed probing
Toby initiates the debate by proposing Hoynes' inclusion at the press conference, hands C.J. her glasses during the interruption, stands and paces while gravely questioning Sam's assurance on Bartlet's fitness to lead.
- • Test Sam's confidence in Bartlet's leadership viability
- • Assess risks of Hoynes' visibility amplifying scrutiny
- • Hoynes' presence risks unraveling cover-up defenses
- • Bartlet's fitness is in legitimate question amid crises
Professionally neutral and focused
The unnamed aide knocks, enters the basement, and hands C.J. the urgent Haiti note, interrupting the heated MS debate without a word.
- • Deliver crisis intelligence promptly
- • Minimize disruption to senior staff discussion
- • Chain of command requires immediate note relay
- • Haiti escalation demands priority over internal strategy
Subject of Toby's direct question to Sam about his ability to function as president.
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
Toby snatches and hands C.J. her glasses as she receives the Haiti note, enabling her to read the crisis details sharply amid the debate; they underscore her shift from argumentative frustration to briefing urgency, symbolizing clarity piercing chaos.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
The White House basement serves as a clandestine war room where Toby, Sam, and C.J. lacerate strategies around a scarred table, its isolation fostering raw clashes over Hoynes and Bartlet before the aide's intrusion propels crisis fragmentation.
Port-Au-Prince is invoked via the urgent note as a burgeoning crisis site, yanking C.J. from the MS fray and amplifying multi-front pressures on the team, linking domestic scandal to global instability.
Organizations Involved
Institutional presence and influence
The Press Corps is anticipated as a predatory 'grand jury' that would savage Hoynes with complicity questions if included, heightening C.J.'s veto and framing the debate around uncontrollable media amplification of the MS cover-up.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Toby's existential question about Bartlet's capability to govern resurfaces when he confronts Leo demanding clarity on the President's future."
"C.J.'s abrupt exit to handle Haiti news leads directly to her later press briefing on military deployments."
Key Dialogue
"TOBY: "Do we put Hoynes up there?""
"SAM: "There's never been a more important time to emphasize the Vice Presidency.""
"C.J.: "And he'll get bombarded with questions about what he did or didn't know, the press corps will impanel themselves as a grand jury.""
"SAM: "Then let them, C.J.! We did something wrong or we didn't.""
"C.J.: "Well fantastic, Sam, I didn't realize it was that simple!""
"TOBY: "Sam, can Josiah Bartlet function as president?""