Opportunism vs. Ethical Restraint
Post-shooting sympathy surges ignite ferocious debates over exploiting crisis for gain—Toby aggressively pushes volatile poll data, hate-group disclosures, and district overreach despite C.J.'s ethically vigilant cautions on credibility and Sam's righteous indignation blocking unconstitutional surveillance and defending scandal-tainted Tom Jordan; Leo and Josh enforce pragmatic pullbacks, highlighting governance's tension between righteous fury and principled limits.
Events Exemplifying This Theme
Toby announces an astonishing 81% approval rating, sparking sarcastic skepticism from Sam and C.J. about its 'soft' post-assassination reliability. Tension dissolves as President Bartlet enters with Leo, launching into a …
Leo verifies the astonishing 81% approval rating from credible sources like CNN and USA Today, dismissing 'soft' doubts as Sam details Bartlet's 61% edge over GOP leaders. Ed and Larry …
Energized by a post-shooting epiphany, Toby pitches Sam a precarious surveillance plan: frame the assassination attempt as the work of 'at least three card-carrying members' of West Virginia White Pride …
In Josh's bullpen, trauma-fueled Toby pitches Step 3: public disclosure of hate groups' memberships and funding to expose threats post-assassination attempt, framing it as urgent justice. Idealist Sam instantly counters …
As Toby and Sam clash over ethically dubious hate-group disclosures, C.J. interrupts to confront Sam privately in the Mural Room about his recruited candidate, Tom Jordan. She reveals Jordan's prosecutorial …
Charlie exits the Roosevelt Room and briefly greets Sam in the hallway before Sam enters Leo's office, where Josh joins via speakerphone. Leo discloses a damaging report of Tom Jordan's …