Leo McGarry&#x27;s Clipboard

S1E19 · Let Bartlet Be Bartlet

Polling Meltdown — Let Bartlet Be Bartlet

Leo's clipboard/pad receives the bold, block-lettered message 'LET BARTLET BE BARTLET'—it becomes the physical manifesto of the night's strategic shift and is shown to the President and staff as a concrete order.

Before: On Leo's desk holding memos and briefing sheets.

After: Placed on the President's desk briefly, displayed as the new rallying artifact, then carried back to Leo's office as orders are given.

S1E19 · Let Bartlet Be Bartlet

Let Bartlet Be Bartlet — Leo's Confrontation and Rally

Leo grabs a worn hardboard clipboard with a legal pad, writes 'LET BARTLET BE BARTLET' across the top sheet, and thrusts the pad toward the President; the clipboard serves as the tangible statement of strategy and a visual manifesto staff can rally behind.

Before: On Leo's desk holding briefing sheets and memos, annotated and familiar to staff.

After: Placed on the President's desk briefly for his inspection, then returned to Leo's office where it functions as the physical seed of the new directive.

No One Around but the Butlers

Leo's clipboard is the visible signifier of ongoing work: he reads from it while lying on the couch, establishing his professional preoccupation even in a private moment. It punctuates his priorities and functions as a prop that he uses to justify his divided attention to family.

Before: In Leo's hands while he lies on the couch reading; clearly the active working prop.

After: Remains in Leo's possession after the conversation; likely set aside as he sits beside Bartlet, still representing unfinished work.

Bartlet Forces Leo to Face Mallory

Leo lies on his couch reading from his clipboard; it functions as a visual shorthand for the omnipresent workload and Leo's professional identity. The clipboard establishes context (work at hand) and undercuts any claim that Leo is simply 'checked out' of family life.

Before: In Leo's hands/nearby while he lies on the couch, containing briefing papers and the day's notes.

After: Remains with Leo — still the physical reminder of the job's demands as the emotional exchange concludes.

Late-Night Dictation and a Father's Reckoning

Leo's clipboard carries the day's schedule and dictation notes; Margaret hands it to Bartlet, who reads items aloud. The clipboard functions as the physical evidence of Leo's workload and as the dramatic prop that converts private toil into persuasive inventory.

Before: On Margaret's pad; in Leo's office, actively used for dictation and schedule notes.

After: Delivered briefly to Bartlet for review and returned to marginal circulation in the office as the meeting breaks up.

Mallory Confronts Leo: The Cost of Duty

Leo's clipboard, containing the day's schedule and briefing memos, is carried by Margaret into the room and handed to Bartlet. Bartlet reads from it aloud to illustrate the load Leo bore—turning a mundane office prop into the dramatic device that reframes the argument.

Before: Resting with Margaret; filled with briefing sheets and notes from Leo's earlier dictation.

After: Returned to Margaret's possession (implicitly) after Bartlet reads from it; continues to function as an administrative artifact.

Holiday Banter to Ethical Standoff

Leo's clipboard is the emblem of office order sitting with Margaret; it anchors the holiday administrative ritual and signals the ongoing business of the West Wing even as ethical crises are argued.

Before: On Margaret's person/hand, loaded with cards and memos related to holiday tasks and signings.

After: Taken by Margaret as she exits to her office to continue administrative duties; remains an instrument of procedure rather than political maneuvering.

Leo Rejects a Preemptive Strike and Reframes the Crisis

Leo's clipboard is present as an administrative prop held by Margaret; it anchors the holiday paperwork and underscores the contrast between routine clerical work and the urgent ethical decision Leo makes in the room.

Before: Clipped stack of cards and briefing sheets in Margaret's possession, visibly used for holiday preparations.

After: Still in Margaret's possession, briefly set aside as Leo interrupts the holiday tasks to resolve the political crisis; continues to mark holiday administrative duties incomplete.

Drawing the Line: Principle vs. Pragmatism

Leo's clipboard is checked by Margaret to confirm gift recipients and details; it functions as the administrative anchor that punctuates the scene's domestic duties and signals the maintenance of routine amid moral argument.

Before: Resting with a stack of briefing sheets and sticky notes, held by Margaret or nearby the desk as she enters.

After: Used to confirm tags and then set aside as Margaret packs gifts and exits, remaining an administrative artifact of the interrupted ritual.

Leo's Tail: A Christmas Eve Dressing-Down

Margaret checks her clipboard to confirm the name on the gift tag ('Your sister') — the clipboard functions as a verification device and practical prop that keeps the scene grounded in office procedure amid moral argument.

Before: In Margaret's possession with lists and tags, used to track gifts and recipients.

After: Remains with Margaret after she packs gifts to leave and returns with an armload, still serving as her organizational tool.