The West Wing
S3E2
· Manchester Part II

Bartlet's French Surrender Jab and Leo's Steadying Praise

In the Oval Office, Leo enters as President Bartlet, riding re-election pressures and Haiti resolution highs, sarcastically dismisses the State Department's push to praise the French, quipping they'd surrender—exposing his frayed nerves beneath principled resolve. Leo immediately reassures him with earnest praise, 'You did well, Mr. President,' forging a moment of loyalty that steadies Bartlet. They exit to the portico where Bartlet probes C.J.'s briefing readiness; Leo deflects with Nancy as backup and repeats the affirmation, transforming tension into reinforced unity amid campaign fractures.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

2

Bartlet dismisses the State Department's suggestion with a sarcastic jab at the French, revealing his tension and frustration.

tension to release ['Oval Office']

Leo attempts to reassure Bartlet with praise, subtly shifting the tone to one of support.

frustration to reassurance ['Oval Office']

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

3
Abigail Bartlet
primary

Sarcasm veiling frayed nerves and re-election exhaustion, briefly steadied by loyalty

Hunched over documents in the Oval Office, Bartlet delivers a biting sarcastic quip dismissing State praise for France, then leads to the portico probing C.J.'s briefing timeline and affirmatively receiving Nancy as alternative, his physical movement signaling restless command amid frayed nerves.

Goals in this moment
  • • Deflect diplomatic flattery to assert personal principled stance
  • • Gauge press briefing readiness to maintain campaign momentum
Active beliefs
  • • French unreliability undermines alliance praise post-Haiti
  • • Staff competence like C.J.'s is vital but replaceable if strained
Character traits
sardonic irascible authoritative vulnerable
Follow Abigail Bartlet's journey
Nancy McNally
primary

Implied unflinching readiness

Nancy is invoked by Leo as viable press briefer alternative to C.J., her operational steel positioned as contingency without physical presence.

Goals in this moment
  • • Step in for crisis communications seamlessly
Active beliefs
  • • Her expertise bridges press gaps effectively
Character traits
reliable competent
Follow Nancy McNally's journey
Leo McGarry
primary

Earnest support masking strategic calculation to bolster unity

Leo strides through heavy doors into the lamplit Oval, immediately reassures Bartlet with direct praise, follows him to the portico suggesting Nancy as briefer while repeating affirmation, his purposeful movement and terse words anchoring presidential doubt.

Goals in this moment
  • • Reassure Bartlet to restore confidence amid pressures
  • • Streamline press operations by deploying Nancy as C.J. backup
Active beliefs
  • • Bartlet's leadership shone in Haiti despite tensions
  • • Contingency staffing prevents vulnerability in communications
Character traits
loyal steadfast pragmatic authoritative
Follow Leo McGarry's journey

Organizations Involved

Institutional presence and influence

2
French Government

The French Government is referenced via State suggestion for praise on Haiti aid, Bartlet's surrender quip skewering their role—narratively underscoring transatlantic tensions and U.S. leadership assertion in Oval sarcasm.

Representation Through credited crisis aid in diplomatic proposal
Power Dynamics External partner lauded but mocked, yielding to U.S. narrative control
Impact Highlights moral ambiguities in victory crediting
Gain U.S. public acknowledgment for intervention Strengthen bilateral ties post-resolution Alliance contributions in Haiti Leveraging State for praise extraction
United States

The State Department is invoked by Bartlet as source of diplomatic suggestion to praise French aid in Haiti resolution, triggering his sarcastic dismissal—highlighting institutional push for alliance niceties clashing with presidential candor amid post-crisis maneuvering.

Representation Through policy suggestion relayed to president
Power Dynamics Subordinate to executive, proposing but overruled by Bartlet's quip
Impact Exposes friction between State diplomacy and Oval resolve
Secure alliance flattery post-Haiti to bolster diplomacy Align foreign policy narrative with resolution credits Formal recommendations to White House Geopolitical protocol pressures

Narrative Connections

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Key Dialogue

"BARTLET: "The State Department's suggesting that we praise the French government for their help in resolving this matter. I would, but I'm worried they'd surrender.""
"LEO: "You did well, Mr. President.""
"LEO: "Don't worry about it. You did well.""