Advance Copy of Ritchie's AMA Remarks

Amy holds up the advanced copy of Ritchie's upcoming AMA speech text in Stackhouse's office, declaring it deliberate bait leaked to provoke President Bartlet into responding to Ritchie's needle-exchange attack. Susan pushes Stackhouse to counter in his own speech, but Amy reframes it as a trap, her calm analysis halting the senator's impulse and exposing tensions between his team and White House strategy. The document's contents fuel accusations of dual loyalties as Josh watches silently.

2 appearances

Purpose

Leaked political document to bait President Bartlet into public response on needle-exchange policy

Significance

Triggers loyalty trial in Stackhouse's office, reframes tactical debate as White House trap, prevents senator's impulsive endorsement and sets up broader campaign maneuvering

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

2 moments

S4E4 · The Red Mass

Loyalty Accused; Amy Calls the Bait

The advance copy of Ritchie's AMA remarks is the concrete evidence on the table that sparks the debate. It functions narratively as the 'smoking gun' that allows Susan to argue for an immediate, forceful response and allows Amy to diagnose the leak as a deliberate tactical bait.

Before: In advisors' possession at Stackhouse's office; known to at least Susan and Amy and discussed prior to the Senator entering.

After: Remains in the office as the focal point of the dispute; its existence reframes the meeting from policy planning to tactical triage.

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S4E4 · The Red Mass

Don't Take the Bait: Stackhouse Teased into Restraint

The advance copy of Ritchie's AMA remarks functions as the pivotal clue and catalytic object: Susan cites its language to argue for an immediate, forceful response while Amy points to the very existence of the advance copy as evidence the remarks were leaked as bait to provoke a reaction.

Before: In Stackhouse's office possession (held/consulted by Susan and Amy); readable and intact as advance text.

After: Remains in the office as evidence; its force is neutralized by Amy's reinterpretation but it continues to shape the tactical conversation.

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