Bartlet's 16-Year-Old Red Mass Speech Draft

Stacy drops off pages of this draft in Toby's office. Will reads aloud stricken passages that define U.S. doctrine through values over interests, including a pointed quote on force. Toby identifies the language as President Bartlet's from 16 years ago and notes its deliberate removal. Elsie and the First Lady listen closely as Will links the rhetoric to C.J.'s Khundu casualty report, shifting abstract ideals into policy urgency.

7 appearances

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

7 moments

S4E4 · The Red Mass

Delegation, Doctrine, and a Sudden Political Crisis

Sam's draft of the President's Red Mass speech is the immediate catalyst for Sam's panic and Charlie's promised intervention; the draft embodies rhetorical risk and the need for swift editorial triage.

Before: In Sam's possession, unfinished and worrying him.

After: Delivered or offered to Charlie for reading and revision; staging moves it into review.

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S4E4 · The Red Mass

Red Mass Prep and a Sudden Health Crisis — Validators, Then Wilde

Sam's draft of the Red Mass speech is the catalyst for the scene: Sam asks Charlie to read it and deliver brutally honest feedback; it represents close-crafted presidential messaging that must avoid political landmines at the ceremonial Red Mass.

Before: In Sam's possession in the Communications Office; incomplete and anxiety-inducing to its author.

After: Set to be read by Charlie; temporarily entrusted to others for critique before wider circulation (Toby excluded for now).

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S4E4 · The Red Mass

Redefining the Debate: Trading Quantity for Substance

Sam brings the Red Mass draft into the conversation; Bartlet reads and inserts edits while Sam sits to evaluate. The speech anchors the substantive dimension of the evening and provides a practical counterpoint to the theoretical debate about formats.

Before: In Sam's possession, recently drafted and presented to the President for revision.

After: Sam has read the edits; Charlie indicates he now has the speech ('I've got it') as they prepare to depart.

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S4E4 · The Red Mass

Rewriting the Red Mass / Debate Format Trade

Sam's draft of the Red Mass is the material focus: Bartlet praises it, takes it, and makes audible edits (adding a section). Sam sits to read Bartlet's changes. The draft anchors the scene's rhetorical work — both the textual revision and the rhetorical framing of debates.

Before: In Sam's possession/presentation; recently completed draft being handed to the President for review.

After: Annotated and edited by Bartlet; implied to be retrieved by Charlie for transport as Bartlet leaves.

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S4E4 · The Red Mass

Closing the Study: Bartlet Readies to Re-enter the World

Sam's draft of the Red Mass speech is the material object around which much of the conversation orbits: Bartlet reads and alters it, Sam sits to review it, and it serves as the tangible link between private rhetoric and the impending public appearance; Charlie ultimately claims possession before departure.

Before: In Sam's hands or on his lap as he reads Bartlet's additions and discusses phrasing and structure.

After: Taken into Charlie's custody (Charlie claims 'I've got it') to be carried to the motorcade or staged for the President's delivery.

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S4E14 · Inauguration Part I

Recovered Doctrine — Values, Force, and Khundu

The Bartlet 16-Year-Old Red Mass Speech Draft is invoked as the provenance of the controversial language. Though not physically produced as a separate artifact in the scene, Toby identifies its lines within the draft Will reads and reminds the room it was stricken from the record.

Before: Stricken from the Congressional Record and not circulating publicly; elements resurfaced within Stacy's draft.

After: Its language has been rediscovered and publicly named in the office, prompting institutional memory and caution.

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S4E14 · Inauguration Part I

Who Owns the Doctrine?

Pages from Bartlet's 16-year-old Red Mass speech are the historical source embedded in the disputed draft; Toby recognizes the phrasing as previously stricken, using that provenance to discredit resurrecting it now.

Before: Archived/stricken from official record historically; incorporated into the dropped-off draft that Will reads.

After: Re-surfaced in the current argument; its prior removal is reasserted as reason to avoid reinstating the language.

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