C.J.'s Dazed Press Briefing Fractures Under Siege
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
C.J., visibly dazed, begins the press briefing, deflecting initial questions about medical updates and the 25th Amendment.
Danny Concannon presses C.J. on the lack of discussion about the 25th Amendment, highlighting the legal ambiguity of the situation.
Reporters question C.J. about the identity of the shooters and the AP's reports, to which she has no answers, increasing the pressure.
A reporter challenges C.J. on the lack of security precautions like a canopy, forcing her to evade again.
C.J., overwhelmed, ends the briefing abruptly, leaving reporters dissatisfied and the administration's vulnerabilities exposed.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Challenging frustration at stonewalling
Called by C.J. for final question, sharply interrogates on absent Secret Service canopies/tents for Bartlet compared to prior administrations, then doubles down demanding 'What do you know?' as her evasive policy dodge falters.
- • Expose security procedural failures
- • Pry any factual disclosures from C.J.
- • Standard protections were negligently skipped
- • C.J.'s silence hides preventable lapses
Insistent urgency tempered by professional restraint
Interrupts aggressively, talking over reporters to hammer C.J. twice on 25th Amendment discussions, probing for succession instability amid presidential wounding.
- • Extract confirmation on constitutional crisis measures
- • Force transparency on leadership continuity
- • Public deserves immediate clarity on succession risks
- • Administration evasion signals deeper instability
Shell-shocked daze masking desperate control
Conducts briefing while visibly dazed, hand clutching injured neck; delivers evasive non-answers to relentless questions on 25th Amendment, shooters, AP reports, security protocols; acknowledges Carol's whisper before limiting to one more question and announcing postponement amid groans.
- • Stall press to buy administration recovery time
- • Shield sensitive crisis details from speculation
- • Revealing too much now risks national panic
- • Controlled disclosure preserves White House authority
Anticipated professional detachment
Referenced by C.J. as head surgeon who, alongside Jarvis, will soon debrief press on Bartlet's condition, positioning her as key medical authority in pending update.
- • Prepare factual medical briefing
- • Stabilize public perception of injury
- • Timely disclosure aids governance continuity
- • Medical facts counter speculation
- • gain access to medical updates
Focused concern for C.J.'s handling
Leans in close to whisper urgent counsel to C.J. mid-briefing after AP query, prompting her to cap questions and announce postponement.
- • Provide real-time strategic guidance
- • Help C.J. regain briefing control
- • C.J. needs backup to navigate press frenzy
- • Coordinated evasion sustains crisis management
Steadfast readiness
Named by C.J. as President's personal physician set to co-debrief press with Dr. Keller in hours, underscoring his executive health oversight role.
- • Deliver accurate health assessment
- • Bolster confidence in leadership survival
- • Naval discipline ensures crisis clarity
- • Physician's word anchors national stability
Implicitly endangered
Referenced centrally in Arthur's security lapse question on unprotected entries/exits, embodying the vulnerability at assassination's core without direct presence.
- • N/A (referenced)
- • N/A (referenced)
- • Security protocols protect leadership
- • Deviations invite catastrophe
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
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Key Dialogue
"Danny: "Has there been any discussion of the 25th amendment?" C.J.: "I'll get back to you on that.""
"C.J.: "I don't believe the AP knows more than I do; I just believe they're willing to tell you more.""
"Arthur: "Well, C.J., if you can't answer the most straightforward question then what can you tell us?" C.J.: "There'll be another briefing in an hour and a half. Hopefully we'll know more then.""