Object

Mildred's Cabinet Meeting Notes

A packet used for documenting cabinet meeting minutes, critical in articulating the administration's response to political tensions.

2 appearances

Purpose

To record and preserve an accurate, verbatim account of the cabinet meeting's opening remarks for immediate reference and procedural clarity during the session.

Significance

Functions as evidentiary leverage: Bartlet uses the notes to expose Vice President Hoynes' specific wording, reframe the administration's obligation to the public, and shift rhetorical control in the room. The packet catalyzes political tension and seeds subsequent disputes over leaks and framing.

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

2 moments

S1E8 · Enemies

Hoynes Opens on Procedure; Bartlet Reframes Purpose

Mildred's single‑packet minutes are read aloud and then inspected by the President; the typed, verbatim language functions as documentary proof that Hoynes used a Congress‑first formulation, converting a neutral administrative artifact into a political instrument.

Before: Held by Mildred at the Roosevelt Room table; single‑sided typed pages with marginal pen marks.

After: Remains with Mildred (or on the table) as the factual record; its evidentiary value has been publicly demonstrated.

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S1E8 · Enemies

Bartlet Reclaims the Room — Public Rebuke of Hoynes

Mildred's verbatim minutes are read aloud and become the evidentiary lynchpin of Bartlet's intervention: the written phrase directly contradicts Hoynes's verbal disavowal and is used to publicly rebuke him. The packet converts procedural language into political ammunition.

Before: In Mildred's hand, single‑sided pages containing verbatim notes from the meeting in progress.

After: Remains in Mildred's possession after being read; its contents have been exposed to every participant and thus function as an official record with heightened political consequence.

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