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Toby Ziegler's principled push for substantive policy debates at the bipartisan leadership breakfast clashes with Leo McGarry's pragmatic restraint and Ann Stark's cunning deflection, setting the stage for Republican exploitation of leaked threats.

Toby Ziegler's principled push for substantive policy debates at the bipartisan leadership breakfast clashes with Leo McGarry's pragmatic restraint and Ann Stark's cunning deflection, setting the stage for Republican exploitation of leaked threats.

9 events in this arc

Events in This Arc

S3E6 · Gone Quiet
Toby Spars with Tawny Over NEA Cuts as Sam Pitches Soft Money Ads

In the Mural Room, Toby Ziegler confronts Congresswoman Tawny Cryer, who weaponizes examples of provocative, NEA-funded art—like chocolate-covered nudity and dung cheeseburgers—to justify the Appropriations Committee's plan to dissolve the …

S3E6 · Gone Quiet
Toby Likens NEA Cuts to Nazi 'Degenerate Art' Purge

In the Mural Room, Toby passionately confronts Tawny over proposed NEA funding cuts, provocatively analogizing them to Nazi Germany's 1937 'degenerate art' exhibition that vilified progressive works. He counters her …

S2E11 · The Leadership Breakfast
Toby's 'Rules' vs. Leo's 'Guidelines'

In the Oval Office, Toby Ziegler doggedly insists on strict 'rules' for the leadership breakfast meeting, citing its 90-minute duration to demand substantive debate on minimum wage and Patients' Bill …

S2E11 · The Leadership Breakfast
Ann Enthusiastically Endorses Abolishing the Minimum Wage

In the hallway en route to Toby's office, Toby challenges Ann to elevate the bipartisan photo-op beyond trivialities like sports and kids, pushing for real debate on minimum wage. He …

S2E11 · The Leadership Breakfast
Toby Bursts In, Exposes Ann's Presidential Gambit

Ann Stark watches C.J. defend the White House on TV against ambush claims when Toby barges in unannounced, unleashing sarcastic fury over the GOP's feigned shock. Their barbed exchange escalates …

S2E15 · Ellie
Toby and Sam Strategize Neutralizing Gillette for the Commission

In a signature blend of playful banter and sharp political calculus, Toby lures Sam into his office with a rubber ball toss and reveals the high-stakes dilemma of appointing Seth …

S2E15 · Ellie
Andy and Toby's Fever-Pitch Yelling Clash Peaks with Interruptions

In Toby's office, amid the Bartlet administration's marijuana decriminalization crisis, ex-spouses Andy (Andrea Wyatt) and Toby Ziegler scream at the tops of their voices in a heated argument likely tied …

S3E19 · The Black Vera Wang
Toby's Sarcastic Gambit Crumbles Against Media's Coverage Slash

Toby strides into the Roosevelt Room, launching with biting sarcasm about a trap-door awards show to assert dominance over media directors. He apologizes for past convention lapses like skyboxes and …

S3E19 · The Black Vera Wang
Toby's Antitrust Threat Secures Full Convention Coverage

Toby re-enters the Roosevelt Room meeting with media directors, boldly countering their offer by demanding gavel-to-gavel coverage of all four convention nights. Facing skepticism, he invokes public ownership of airwaves …