Bartlet Rebuffs Haiti as MS Distraction Warning
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Josh and Toby remain behind to warn Bartlet about the political perception of invading Haiti, framing it as potentially motivated by the MS scandal.
Bartlet dismisses their concerns, asserting the necessity of action due to Haiti's democratic crisis and the attack on US forces, then abruptly exits.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Concerned fatigue laced with tactical worry
Josh remains behind with Toby after others exit, initiates caution to Bartlet on invasion optics as MS distraction, attempts clarification when rebutted, stands silenced as president departs.
- • Alert Bartlet to re-election peril from perceived distraction
- • Mitigate risks of public backlash on intervention
- • Haiti action invites MS scandal exploitation
- • Political timing undermines credible foreign policy
Tired pragmatism tinged with futile insistence
Toby stays with Josh post-meeting, amplifies warning on Haiti as commander-in-chief posturing and MS dodge, attempts interjection as Bartlet rebuts, watches exit pensively.
- • Highlight optics threat to campaign viability
- • Reinforce need for unassailable public framing
- • Media will frame crisis as political theater
- • Exhausting diplomacy precedes force
Annoyed resolve masking deeper frustration with political hedging
Bartlet moves to his desk amid departing advisors, fields Josh and Toby's urgent caution on political optics, delivers a curt, multifaceted rebuttal emphasizing moral imperatives over spin, then grabs papers and exits decisively, underscoring unyielding leadership.
- • Shut down optics-based objections to prioritize Haiti action
- • Assert moral and strategic primacy of intervention
- • Sanctions fail against corrupt Haitian structures
- • Democratic legitimacy and U.S. security demand swift response
concerned
Provides voiceover greeting, advocates for display of force to intimidate Bazan, warns of refugee crisis from Haitian cutters off Florida Keys leading to Guantanamo Bay.
- • Urge swift Haiti resolution to avert refugee crisis
Proposes buzzing Port-au-Prince with five F-18s in Alpha strike formation as display of force.
- • Recommend military show of force against Haiti
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
Bartlet's Haiti Sanctions File, opened earlier in briefing, informs his rebuttal on past failures; he picks up related papers from desk as tangible pivot from discussion to action, symbolizing shift from deliberation to resolve amid political pushback.
Organizations Involved
Institutional presence and influence
USS Enterprise cited by Bartlet as refuge for ousted Dessaline, contrasting his rightful office with coup exile, bolstering case against political delay in Haiti response.
Haitian National Police lambasted by Bartlet as corrupt profiteers evading sanctions via contraband, their graft underscoring intervention necessity and rebutting Josh/Toby's optics fears in Oval power play.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Bartlet's concern for civilian casualties in Haiti parallels his later questioning of military plans for Haiti."
"Josh and Toby's warning about political perception of Haiti parallels Bartlet's dismissal of those concerns in favor of principled action."
"Josh and Toby's warning about political perception of Haiti parallels Bartlet's dismissal of those concerns in favor of principled action."
"Josh and Toby's warning about political perception of Haiti parallels Bartlet's dismissal of those concerns in favor of principled action."
"Josh and Toby's warning about political perception of Haiti parallels Bartlet's dismissal of those concerns in favor of principled action."
Key Dialogue
"JOSH: We should bear in mind that if we end up invading Haiti there'll be a belief..."
"BARTLET: That it was politically motivated."
"TOBY: Yeah. That at the... at the very least we welcomed the opportunity both to distract attention from the MS story and show strength as commander in chief."
"BARTLET: You think it's a sign of strength to invade Haiti?"