S3E2

CJ-Leo Rift Explodes Over Abbey Snub, Photo Leaks, and Haiti Grudges

In a tense street-side confrontation following CJ's disastrous meeting with Abbey, CJ confesses her failed pitch for First Lady joint appearances—earning only a cider denial—and proposes Leo intervene amid damaging solo-President photos flooding papers. Leo grills her evasive press tactics on the unwritten speech, sparking fury when CJ gripes about him leaking their prior talk to Toby. Leo detonates, asserting total authority and demanding she drop her Haiti resentment, then storms off. This raw fracture erodes their bedrock trust, amplifying re-election strains and CJ's benching fallout as a pivotal relational turning point.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

C.J. confesses her failed attempt to arrange a public appearance for the First Lady, revealed by Abbey's curt denial of cider.

hopeful to rebuffed

Leo interrogates C.J.'s plan to brief the press on non-existent speech highlights, exposing their shared desperation.

planning to frustration ['street']

C.J. confronts Leo about leaked marital strife evidence—solo Air Force One photos—triggering his defensive outburst about privacy.

concern to anger

Leo explosively rebukes C.J. for Haiti-related grudges and staff leaks, storming off as their alliance fractures visibly.

tension to rupture

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

Leo Thomas McGarry (Chief of Staff)

White House Chief of Staff

primary

Barely contained fury erupting into righteous indignation over challenged authority

Leo probes CJ's First Lady meeting outcome and her press plans on unwritten speech, rebuffs intervention idea citing privacy, angrily asserts his right to share info with staff like Toby, demands she cease Haiti resentment, and storms away across the street.

Goals in this moment

• Reassert unchallenged command over staff communications and decisions
• Shut down CJ's lingering Haiti grudge to refocus on campaign unity

Active beliefs

• As Chief of Staff, he possesses absolute discretion to inform any subordinate
• Personal resentments like CJ's over Haiti must yield to team discipline

Character traits

Authoritative Irascible Unyielding Protective of hierarchy

Follow Leo Thomas …'s journey

Supporting 2

Abigail "Abbey" Bartlet (First Lady — The West Wing)

First Lady of the United States

secondary

Referenced by C.J. as having denied cider and joint appearance opportunities in prior meeting

Character traits

jocular confrontational private strategically vital assertive playful intelligent logistically competent strategic poised mischievous decisive outspoken politically engaged pragmatic intellectual athletic privately opinionated affectionate maternal-authoritative supportive professional authoritative precocious compassionate loyal attentive protective blunt established media-savvy energetic socially influential book-loving influential discreet protective of presidential reputation resilient integrated positional

Follow Abigail "Abbey" …'s journey

Josiah Edward 'Jed' Bartlet (President of the United States)

President of the United States

secondary

Referenced in context of damaging front-page photos showing him boarding Air Force One alone

Character traits

politically pragmatic jocular policy‑driven paternal commands institutional authority relational — centers staff and family centralizing (commands staff attention and schedules) centralized authority figure strategically vital intelligent politically consequential (actions and associations create immediate risk) protocol-driven calculating principled in public rhetoric vulnerable emotionally forceful institutionally minded performative control of public optics candid principled politically vulnerable (per party strategists and press) strategic witty/jocular under pressure vulnerable-to-proxy-actions collegial poised decisive principled but electorally mindful resolute constitutional protective (paternal focus on family safety) deliberative ruthless burdened decisive when confronted with moral stakes authoritative/managerial paternal/protective regionally grounded politically strategic supportive traditional weary/resolute authoritative public-facing decisive in crisis loyal blunt protective politically consequential measured committed politically shrewd risk‑aware consequential self-aware witty institutional (symbolic center of staff effort) ceremonial

Follow Josiah Edward …'s journey

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

What led here 2

Causal

"C.J.'s press room pummeling and subsequent benching lead to her confrontation with Leo over leaked marital strife evidence."

Bartlet Sidelines Abbey for Haiti Crisis Triumph

S3E2 · Manchester Part II

Causal

"C.J.'s press room pummeling and subsequent benching lead to her confrontation with Leo over leaked marital strife evidence."

Leo Benches C.J., Appointing Nancy as Interim Press Secretary

S3E2 · Manchester Part II

Part of Larger Arcs

C.J. Cregg's interpersonal power struggle to neutralize General Barrie's disloyal 'Ring and Run' media attacks on military readiness by summoning him for confrontation, culminating in the truth revelation of his stolen valor, resolved by presidential r...

Key Dialogue

"C.J.: "Well, she denied me cider.""

"LEO: "([angrily]) When I think it's time I will tell anyone who works for me anything I damn please! You know what, C.J.? Stop being pissed at me about Haiti.""