Object

Josh's Senate Seating Chart

Josh pulls this Senate seating chart from his desk in his office and crosses off a name while vetting vice-presidential candidates for health and confirmation viability. The chart maps Senate positions that reveal confirmation math gaps, anchoring his methodical culling amid Charlie's confession about buried champagne and Zoey's graduation. Pencil marks track eliminations as Donna and others hover nearby.

2 appearances

Purpose

Vets potential VP candidates by mapping Senate seating to assess confirmation vote viability

Significance

Exposes pragmatic barriers in VP selection, blending political calculation with personal interruptions to reframe Leo McGarry as a contender

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

2 moments

S4E22 · Commencement

Josh Pins Leo on the VP Board

Josh pulls a Senate seating chart, studies confirmation math, and crosses off McKenna for health reasons. The chart functions as the immediate analytic tool converting abstract vetting criteria into concrete eliminations.

Before: On Josh's desk/board among vetting materials, unmarked for the immediate decision.

After: Marked with pencil crosses indicating McKenna's removal; left on desk/board as a live planning artifact.

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S4E22 · Commencement

Buried Champagne at the Arboretum

The Senate seating chart sits on Josh's desk, a working tool he has been using to cross off names (McKenna is already eliminated). It contextualizes the urgency of Josh's work and visually contrasts institutional calculation with Charlie's personal confession.

Before: On Josh's desk, with names and pencil marks; McKenna already crossed off for health reasons.

After: Remains on the desk with the same markings; Josh briefly leaves vetting to address Charlie but returns focus to it afterward.

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