President Bartlet's Daily Schedule (paper on Oval Office desk)

Physical piece of paper on President Josiah 'Jed' Bartlet's Oval Office desk containing a time-stamped roster of his daily appointments (daily schedule). Document appears in The West Wing S01E02 'Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc' and is referenced in multiple scene-level events. Also referred to in some notes as a "signed administrative piece of paper" in sparse metadata — merged here as an alternate reference to the same desk schedule.

4 appearances

Purpose

To record and communicate the President's time‑stamped appointments and immediate obligations so staff can coordinate access, briefings, and handoffs during the day.

Significance

Serves as the practical instrument that forces the President's re‑immersion into command—translating private vulnerability into public responsibility. In the wake‑up exchange, the schedule anchors Charlie's authority as logistical lifeline and signals the day's operational priorities (security briefings, intelligence, the Fed meeting).

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

4 moments

S1E2 · Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc

Cookie Diplomacy — Mrs. Landingham's Gatekeeping

Bartlet's daily schedule functions as a structural prop and comedic counterpoint: Mrs. Landingham hands it to the President after the outer-oval exchange, and Bartlet uses it to deflect a lecture about humor by pointing to impossible calendar conflicts.

Before: On Mrs. Landingham's desk, in her possession and ready to be handed to the President.

After: Given to President Bartlet and being consulted by him while he answers staff questions.

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S1E2 · Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc

Ryder Cup Snub — Joke Becomes Political Fallout

Mrs. Landingham hands the President his daily schedule during the commotion, reminding the group of immediate substantive obligations (intelligence, security, budget meetings). The schedule shifts attention back to presidential duties and conflicts with the timing of a roast about his humor.

Before: On Mrs. Landingham's desk as she manages access to the President.

After: Given to President Bartlet as he enters, briefly redirecting his focus to scheduled briefings.

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S3E7 · The Indians in the Lobby

Bartlet’s Turkey Obsession Meets Toby’s Sly Policy Pitch

Bartlet hunches over desk signing this administrative paper amid turkey banter, then thrusts it commandingly into Charlie's hand for folder filing; it symbolizes routine Oval drudgery contrasting quirky obsessions and pivots to weightier policy intrusion.

Before: Unsigned on Bartlet's desk

After: Signed and handed to Charlie for folder storage

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S3E7 · The Indians in the Lobby

Toby's Turkey Ploy: Pitching Cell Phones and Poverty Reckoning

The signed administrative paper is thrust from Bartlet to Charlie just before interruption, symbolizing bureaucratic drudgery yielding to urgent policy intrusion; it underscores the shift from routine signing to substantive confrontation, handed off as Toby arrives.

Before: Unsigned on Bartlet's desk during signing

After: Signed and placed in folder, held by Charlie as he exits

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