Moral Imperative vs. Political Calculus
Bartlet channels outrage over the church massacre's weapons and statistics to shatter Hoynes' defensive rationalizations, compelling a pro-gun control Texas speech despite electoral suicide risks tied to Hoynes' Plains states polling edge, revealing leadership's ethical fury clashing with vice-presidential viability and reelection coattails.
Events Exemplifying This Theme
In the White House press room, alive with the ironic backdrop of a football game on TV, C.J. Cregg approaches the podium on a tense Sunday to brief the press …
In the Oval Office, President Bartlet ruthlessly pressures a resistant Vice President Hoynes to deliver a courageous speech opposing Texas' shift to 'shall issue' concealed carry laws before a hostile …
In the Oval Office, President Bartlet aggressively debates Vice President Hoynes on concealed carry's illogic post-Texas church shooting, pivoting to accuse him of leaking his MS diagnosis to force a …
In the tense aftermath of their explosive confrontation over loyalty, leaks, and gun control, Charlie knocks and enters the Oval Office, interrupting to remind President Bartlet of his Briefing Room …