University of Iowa Press Conference Podium (President Bartlet)

Bartlet commands the podium under open Iowa skies, palms likely braced on its worn surface as he parries Atwell's affirmative action thrust with hazy 'hearts and minds' rhetoric—abrupt wrench away unleashes reporter clamor, Secret Service agents surging to escort him off while a distant Toby scorches the TV relay with hand-clenched dismay, the platform lingering as mute witness to restrained intellect's cage.