Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar emerges as a Roman general and statesman cited by President Bartlet to champion substantive historical debates. Bartlet highlights Caesar's clash with Cato in the first public debate on the death penalty, positioning it against modern formats that prioritize spectacle over depth. This invocation underscores Caesar's role as an exemplar of rigorous discourse on life, justice, and state power, aligning with the White House staff's push for a single, moderated debate that demands follow-up questions and accountability.