Erickson's Succession Smugness Ignites Leo's Fierce MS Defense
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Congressman Erickson compliments Chairman Bruno and smugly questions Leo about Constitutional succession, setting a confrontational tone.
Erickson challenges succession procedures, implying Bartlet's MS increases mortality risk, provoking Leo's fiery defense of Bartlet and Hoynes.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Visibly annoyed restraint amid partisan posturing
Cliff Calley, seated among committee members, sighs deeply and visibly tries to suppress annoyance during Erickson's smug questioning and Leo's aside with Jordan.
- • Maintain composure as counsel despite escalating tensions
- • Observe testimony without intervening prematurely
- • Erickson's tactics undermine the hearing's integrity
- • Leo's responses could reveal key truths if pressed
Annoyed frustration laced with professional urgency and underlying concern
Jordan leans in closely to Leo, turns her microphone away for private whisper, demands full disclosure of his secrets in exchange for her high fee, rejects his dinner flirtation with annoyance, then watches as he returns to testify.
- • Extract complete truth from Leo to prepare his testimony effectively
- • Reject flirtation to enforce boundaries amid high stakes
- • Full disclosure is essential for her role as effective counsel
- • Leo's evasiveness risks their defense in the hearing
Annoyed by partisan snark masking righteous indignation and fierce protectiveness
Leo stares blankly at Erickson, whispers mockingly about his snotty tone while flirtatiously dodging Jordan's demand for full disclosure, then publicly corrects constitutional misinterpretation, erupts in passionate defense of MS patients and Bartlet's VP choice, demanding an apology with emphatic resolve at the witness table.
- • Deflect personal secrets from Jordan while maintaining composure
- • Shut down Erickson's attack on Bartlet and MS patients
- • Uphold constitutional accuracy and administration integrity
- • MS is not fatal and implying otherwise is a criminal slur
- • Hoynes was chosen purely on merit to serve as President if needed
- • Loyalty to Bartlet demands unyielding defense against political exploitation
Smug confidence veiling aggressive probing intent
Erickson compliments Chairman Bruno with clasped hands and smug tone, quizzes Leo on constitutional succession, questions VP selection process, implies Bartlet's MS increases mortality risk, and begins to respond to Leo's demand before being cut off.
- • Pressure Leo on succession to expose administration flaws
- • Imply Bartlet's health disqualifies him to score political points
- • Bartlet's MS heightens succession risks warranting scrutiny
- • VP selection was influenced by undisclosed health issues
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
The microphone enables discreet whispering between Leo and Jordan by being covered and turned away, allowing private banter and evasion amid public testimony, heightening tension as it contrasts amplified public responses with hushed intimacy, underscoring Leo's tactical multitasking under scrutiny.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
The Capitol Hill Hearing Room hosts the partisan showdown as Erickson's smug probe draws Leo's whispered aside and explosive rebuttal, its formal setup amplifying every word and gesture, transforming routine questioning into a battleground for loyalties and truths amid buzzing tension.
Organizations Involved
Institutional presence and influence
The Judiciary Committee oversees the hearing through Chairman Bruno recognizing Erickson, whose smug constitutional quizzing provokes Leo's defense, manifesting as a collective probe into executive health disclosures and succession, escalating political stakes in the room.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Erickson's challenge about succession parallels Hoynes' reaction to Bartlet's MS revelation, both questioning the implications of Bartlet's health."
"Erickson's challenge about succession parallels Hoynes' reaction to Bartlet's MS revelation, both questioning the implications of Bartlet's health."
Key Dialogue
"ERICKSON: "Well, with the possibility that the President might die in office..." LEO: "Hold it." ERICKSON: "...a greater possibility with this President...""
"LEO: "([emphatically]) No, sir. That isn't true. MS isn't fatal. And while on national television, it is criminal to imply otherwise in an effort to score some cheap points. [pause] You owe an apology to fathers of children who are suffering from this disease.""
"LEO: "Finally, the President chose his running mate using the only yardstick that means anything: ability to assume the duties of the Presidency. And with John Hoynes, we got our man. And the Vice President was immediately told of the President's condition.""