Paul Hackett

Paul Hackett wields executive clout as head of a major television network, plunging into the Mural Room's shadows to negotiate crisis airtime with C.J. Cregg. Greeting her as Claudia with old-friend warmth, he sidesteps press via basement stealth, parries Haiti feints, and yields to unbranded 30-minute slots despite logo protests. Concern creases his skepticism as water rises to her neck; he pledges Jeremy talks and seals the pact with a firm handshake, his pragmatic cooperation channeling media muscle into White House salvation amid plummeting stakes.