Object

Surrogate Deployment Schedules

Printed documents list surrogate assignments, spin room duties, and 9:00 PM departures. C.J. and Toby consult them during the press room rollout until Toby pulls her aside with news of Bennett's defection. Andy Wyatt, Albie Duncan, and Martin reference the schedules as the team scrambles to recruit a Republican surrogate, compressing routine planning into crisis response.

2 appearances

Purpose

Coordinates surrogate assignments to debate spin room roles and sets their departure times.

Significance

Exposes vulnerability when Bennett defects to Ritchie, forcing Toby to pitch Albie Duncan and secure Andy's backing in a high-stakes pivot that locks in the media counter-strategy.

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

2 moments

S4E6 · Game On

Scramble for a Republican Surrogate — Recruiting Albie Duncan

Surrogate deployment schedules are the concrete artifact being distributed during the rollout; they frame who will answer which reporters and where staff will be positioned, and their contents are immediately threatened by Bennett's assignment, necessitating last-minute reassignment and tactical improvisation.

Before: Printed and being passed out by staff during the press-room rollout; assignments listed and assumed to be final.

After: Subject to rapid revision in light of Bennett's assignment; will require a Republican to be inserted and schedules adjusted for post-debate spin coverage.

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S4E6 · Game On

Toby Secures Albie Duncan — Andy Recruited

Printed playbooks are being distributed in the press room and form the logistical basis for surrogate assignments and reporter pairings; Toby references material inside them (third-party validators) to bolster his pitch for Albie Duncan, making the playbooks a practical and evidentiary tool in the scramble.

Before: Boxes/packets of playbooks in the press room being handed out by Carol and staff to surrogates and press-team members.

After: Playbooks have been distributed to staff; referenced by Toby as source material and used to implement surrogate deployment decisions.

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