Object

Bartlet-Shantytown Mayor Photo-Op

Sam hustles down hallways grabbing briefing notes and speech cards from Ginger for this PR event honoring the long-serving Mayor of Shantytown, Mr. Keith, slotted amid meetings with Secretary Bryce and Congressman Lien. Cameras position for President Bartlet to pose with Keith amid flashes that capture a handshake and smiles. In the White House, TV blasts a 685-point Dow drop; Keith recalls meeting Hoover days before the 1929 crash, stirring Bartlet's unease. Charlie spots the bad optics and reschedules fast, pulling the plug on the session.

3 appearances

Purpose

Public relations photo opportunity to project presidential warmth and community ties through handshake with long-serving local leader

Significance

Builds positive optics for Bartlet but folds under market crash panic and 1929 superstition echo; Charlie's quick cancel shields vulnerability, spotlights staff triage instincts amid economic firestorm

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

3 moments

S4E1 · 20 Hours in America Part I

Sam Scrambles: Cliff-Notes Briefing and the Rolling-Pin Smear

The contrived photo-op (an elderly man who has shaken hands with every president since Herbert Hoover) is a scheduled, ceremonial task Sam must attend; it anchors one of his immediate obligations and represents the performative, low-substance events staff must still staff effectively.

Before: Scheduled and known to Sam and Ginger as part of the day's itinerary.

After: Remains scheduled; Sam prepares to execute it with the supplied notes and briefings.

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S4E2 · 20 Hours in America Part II

Market Plunge and the Canceled Photo‑Op

The planned Bartlet–Shantytown Mayor photo‑op functions as the political object of the scene: an instrument of outreach whose optics are suddenly risky. Its imagined staging (President draping his arm around the mayor) is discussed and then deferred to avoid creating a symbol of panic or superstition amid market collapse.

Before: Scheduled and imminent, with staff positioned and the guest present.

After: Rescheduled for the following day to avoid immediate negative optics; event logistics must be reworked.

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S4E2 · 20 Hours in America Part II

Hoover Handshake Unnerves Bartlet — Photo‑Op Postponed

The Bartlet‑Shantytown Mayor photo‑op is the planned PR object: a staged interaction meant to produce positive imagery. It is referenced continuously as the practical thing at risk from superstition and ultimately gets rescheduled to preserve optics.

Before: Scheduled and imminent, with staff and camera ready to execute.

After: Postponed to the next day by Charlie's decision; scheduling records and participants will be notified.

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