Simon Blye (private political operator, Leo McGarry acquaintance)

cordial assertive opportunistic ambiguously loyal

Simon Blye occupies the margins of the West Wing as a private political operator and long-standing personal acquaintance of Leo McGarry. He approaches official spaces with the manners of a friend but the posture of a negotiator: conversations pivot to Leo, and his presence forces staff to choose between loyalty and containment. Bartlet explicitly distrusts him, treating Simon as an opportunistic lever who can escalate private vulnerabilities into public liabilities. He holds no formal office; his influence runs through personal ties, pressure tactics, and the threat of reputational or political fallout.

6 appearances

Also known as: Simon, Blye

Simon Blye …'s Journey

A timeline through the narrative

6 moments

S1E13 · Take Out The Trash Day

Setting the Pace: Bartlet Cuts In, Protects Leo, and Sets the Day

Not present; inferred as potentially calculating and transactional given Bartlet's distrust.

Simon Blye is not physically present but becomes the subject of Bartlet's suspicion; Bartlet questions Leo about him and frames Simon as a potential risk to Leo's integrity and the …

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S1E13 · Take Out The Trash Day

C.J. Assigned the Lydells; Bartlet Postpones Sex‑Ed Decision

Not onstage, but depicted (by others) as potentially predatory or opportunistic — a source of concern for Bartlet and Leo.

Simon Blye is discussed (not physically present) as Leo's outside confidant; Bartlet expresses distrust and frames Simon's presence as a potential complication for Leo.

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S1E13 · Take Out The Trash Day

Polite Arrival, Quietly Charged: Simon Meets Leo

Cordial and confident outwardly, quietly assertive and probing inwardly; he exudes control while implying intent without stating it.

Simon walks in warmly, exchanges pleasantries, deflects personal questions about Meredith and then smoothly redirects the conversation to Leo — using charm to shift the frame from social to personal/political.

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S1E13 · Take Out The Trash Day

Polite Prelude — The Conversation Turns to Leo

Calmly assertive — projecting warmth while signaling underlying intent to press or bargain.

Walks into Leo's office with an affable, practiced ease, makes small talk about Meredith and the house, then deliberately reframes the visit toward Leo with the line 'Why don't we …

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S1E13 · Take Out The Trash Day

Ultimatum in Leo's Office: Resign or Be Exposed

Coolly urgent — externally composed and businesslike, with a hint of impatient superiority and wounded pride when personally attacked.

Simon calmly delivers a political calculation: a hearing is inevitable, an op‑ed calling for Leo's resignation runs tomorrow, and resignation is the pragmatic choice. He produces the copy as leverage, …

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S1E13 · Take Out The Trash Day

Leo Confronts Simon's Betrayal

Defensive and anxious under the surface; attempting to appear authoritative but showing vulnerability when his motives are questioned.

Simon arrives with a folded copy of a Post op‑ed, delivers a blunt political ultimatum urging Leo to resign for the party, attempts to plead and interrupt, and is forced …

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