Object

Karen Kroft's Gas Tax Policy

Toby admits to Karen Kroft over a late-night restaurant meal that he maneuvered her into championing the gas tax policy—a doomed political fight—to advance an administration point. This choice derails her National Parks directorship when Senate confirmation attaches. Karen absorbs the blow, recasting her effort as principled sacrifice without resentment.

1 appearances

Significance

Triggers Karen's career setback, exposes Toby's ruthless calculations, and draws moral contrast in her response—pivotal intimate scene underscoring White House trade-offs.

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

1 moments

S4E9 · Swiss Diplomacy

Toby Retracts the Parks Promise

Karen's gas-tax policy is the substantive reason for her political vulnerability and the proximate cause of losing the Parks directorship; it is discussed directly as the 'losing' play Toby asked her to run and is the moral center of Karen's defense.

Before: Active campaign position that had made enemies on the Hill and defined Karen's recent public profile.

After: Remains the policy she supports and the reason for political costs; its consequences continue to shape her career prospects.

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