Chief Justice's Dissent in Verse

Toby holds the faxed pages of this Supreme Court dissent during a morning Oval Office staff meeting. He reads it aloud, spots the trochaic tetrameter verse by the Chief Justice, grins, and alerts Bartlet, C.J., Will, Leo, and Charlie, who laugh as he passes it to Bartlet. The odd format eases policy strains. Hours later in the night Oval Office, Leo cites the opinion as a quick joke after warning Bartlet, with Charlie, C.J., and Danny present.

4 appearances

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

4 moments

S4E14 · Inauguration Part I

Prompter Politics and the Missing Washington Bible

Toby's faxed copy of the Chief Justice's dissent is read aloud, handed to Bartlet, and sparks levity and textual analysis. It functions as a humanizing counterpoint to policy talk and reveals staff dynamics around language.

Before: In Toby's hand (or recently faxed to staff), available for perusal.

After: Passed to Bartlet and circulated briefly; remains a minor prop after the joke dissipates.

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S4E14 · Inauguration Part I

Demanding a Doctrine

Toby reads and laughs over his faxed copy of the Chief Justice's dissent and hands it to Bartlet; the paper breaks the tension, supplies comic relief, and temporarily redirects staff energy before the Khundu briefing resumes serious focus.

Before: Faxed to Will and sitting in Toby's hands as he reads it aloud.

After: Passed to the President for inspection and then set aside as the meeting pivots back to policy.

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S4E14 · Inauguration Part I

Courtly Verse and Quiet Alarm

Toby reads from this faxed copy of the Chief Justice's dissent aloud; its metrical oddity provides comic relief and a conversational pivot. The paper is passed to Bartlet and functions as the catalyst for questions about the Chief Justice's judgment and for group levity that then yields to policy urgency.

Before: In White House circulation/faxed to staff; in Toby's hands as he reads it.

After: Passed to the President briefly and then remains as an item of staff discussion/reference.

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S4E15 · Inauguration Part II: Over There

Midnight Warning: Leo Flags NSC PDD Vulnerability

The Chief Justice's dissent printed in verse is referenced by Leo as an attempt at levity at the end of the exchange; it functions as a tonal counterbalance to the confrontation and a device Leo uses to soften Bartlet's dismissal.

Before: Read earlier in the Oval Office meeting and circulating among staff as a humorous aside.

After: Mentioned aloud by Leo on the portico; remains a conversational prop rather than policy-relevant material.

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