The Short List
Encyclopedia
"The Short List" is the 9th episode of The West Wing. The episode introduces recurring characters Roberto Mendoza and Gail the goldfish and a story arc
concerning potential congressional investigation of a White House staff members history of substance abuse
.
and his staff are energized by the opportunity to improve the president's approval ratings with a politically "safe" nominee, Peyton Cabot Harrison III. The retiring justice (played by Mason Adams
), who is strongly liberal, is not impressed by Bartlet's choice and urges him to consider instead Judge Roberto Mendoza. When Bartlet returns to the office, he asks Toby Ziegler
, his communications director, to review their choice. Toby is uncomfortable with the prospect of losing the easy confirmation, but complies.
Toby's deputy Sam Seaborn
learns that Judge Harrison once argued against a guarantee of privacy
in an unsigned research note. Sam and Toby reluctantly agree that Mendoza should be vetted
as a possible replacement nominee. President Bartlet agrees to interview Mendoza (played by Edward James Olmos
), and holds a meeting at which staff members question him closely on his views on the right to privacy. When Toby asks Mendoza about mandatory drug testing, Mendoza replies strongly that such tests are unconstitutional invasions of privacy. The staff is convinced that he is the right choice, and the U.S. has its latest Supreme Court nominee.
In subplots, Press Secretary
C. J. Cregg
continues to fend off nomination questions and date invitations from reporter Danny Concannon
, and Josh Lyman
investigates a claim from a congressman that one in three White House staff members regularly uses illegal drugs. During his investigation, Josh learns that chief of staff Leo McGarry
, in addition to being a recovering alcoholic
, once attended rehab
to overcome an addiction to pills. Josh and Leo realize that Leo is the congressman's target, and Josh promises to fight to protect Leo. The issue of drug use is echoed in the questioning sessions for Harrison and Mendoza, who are asked about their views on the right to privacy.
Story arc
A story arc is an extended or continuing storyline in episodic storytelling media such as television, comic books, comic strips, boardgames, video games, and in some cases, films. On a television program, for example, the story would unfold over many episodes. In television, the use of the story...
concerning potential congressional investigation of a White House staff members history of substance abuse
Substance abuse
A substance-related disorder is an umbrella term used to describe several different conditions associated with several different substances .A substance related disorder is a condition in which an individual uses or abuses a...
.
Plot
When a liberal Supreme Court justice retires, President BartletJosiah Bartlet
Josiah Edward "Jed" Bartlet is a fictional character played by Martin Sheen on the television serial drama The West Wing. He is President of the United States for the entire series until the last episode, when his successor is inaugurated...
and his staff are energized by the opportunity to improve the president's approval ratings with a politically "safe" nominee, Peyton Cabot Harrison III. The retiring justice (played by Mason Adams
Mason Adams
Mason Adams was an American character actor and voice-over artist.-Early life:Adams was born in Brooklyn, New York. He earned an MA degree from the University of Michigan in Theatre Arts and Speech and also attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison, studying theater arts...
), who is strongly liberal, is not impressed by Bartlet's choice and urges him to consider instead Judge Roberto Mendoza. When Bartlet returns to the office, he asks Toby Ziegler
Toby Ziegler
Tobias Zachary 'Toby' Ziegler is played by Richard Schiff on the television serial drama The West Wing. For most of the series' duration he is White House Communications Director.-Creation and development:...
, his communications director, to review their choice. Toby is uncomfortable with the prospect of losing the easy confirmation, but complies.
Toby's deputy Sam Seaborn
Sam Seaborn
Samuel Norman "Sam" Seaborn is a fictional character portrayed by Rob Lowe on the television serial drama The West Wing. He is best known for being Deputy White House Communications Director in the Josiah Bartlet administration throughout the first four seasons of the series.-Creation and...
learns that Judge Harrison once argued against a guarantee of privacy
Privacy law
Privacy law refers to the laws which deal with the regulation of personal information about individuals which can be collected by governments and other public as well as private organizations and its storage and use....
in an unsigned research note. Sam and Toby reluctantly agree that Mendoza should be vetted
Vetting
Vetting is a process of examination and evaluation, generally referring to performing a background check on someone before offering him or her employment, conferring an award, etc...
as a possible replacement nominee. President Bartlet agrees to interview Mendoza (played by Edward James Olmos
Edward James Olmos
Edward James Olmos is an American actor and director. Among his most memorable roles are William Adama in the re-imagined Battlestar Galactica, Lt...
), and holds a meeting at which staff members question him closely on his views on the right to privacy. When Toby asks Mendoza about mandatory drug testing, Mendoza replies strongly that such tests are unconstitutional invasions of privacy. The staff is convinced that he is the right choice, and the U.S. has its latest Supreme Court nominee.
In subplots, Press Secretary
Press secretary
A press secretary or press officer is a senior advisor who provides advice on how to deal with the news media and, using news management techniques, helps their employer to maintain a positive public image and avoid negative media coverage....
C. J. Cregg
C. J. Cregg
Claudia Jean "C. J." Cregg is a fictional character played by Allison Janney on the television serial drama The West Wing. From the beginning of the series until the sixth season, she is White House Press Secretary in the administration of President Josiah Bartlet...
continues to fend off nomination questions and date invitations from reporter Danny Concannon
Danny Concannon
Daniel "Danny" Concannon is a fictional White House correspondent for the Washington Post played by Timothy Busfield on the television serial drama The West Wing. Danny first appeared in the third episode of Season 1, "A Proportional Response," where he mentioned that he had been a White House...
, and Josh Lyman
Josh Lyman
Joshua "Josh" Lyman is a fictional character played by Bradley Whitford on the television drama The West Wing. For the majority of the series, he was White House Deputy Chief of Staff in the Josiah Bartlet administration...
investigates a claim from a congressman that one in three White House staff members regularly uses illegal drugs. During his investigation, Josh learns that chief of staff Leo McGarry
Leo McGarry
Leo Thomas McGarry is a fictional character played by John Spencer on the television serial drama The West Wing. The role earned Spencer the 2002 Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. McGarry's character, the former United States Secretary of Labor, begins the series as the White...
, in addition to being a recovering alcoholic
Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a broad term for problems with alcohol, and is generally used to mean compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages, usually to the detriment of the drinker's health, personal relationships, and social standing...
, once attended rehab
Drug rehabilitation
Drug rehabilitation is a term for the processes of medical or psychotherapeutic treatment, for dependency on psychoactive substances such as alcohol, prescription drugs, and so-called street drugs such as cocaine, heroin or amphetamines...
to overcome an addiction to pills. Josh and Leo realize that Leo is the congressman's target, and Josh promises to fight to protect Leo. The issue of drug use is echoed in the questioning sessions for Harrison and Mendoza, who are asked about their views on the right to privacy.