Cold Open:
President Bartlet is doing television interviews with various news outlets from the Mural Room, talking about the upcoming Thursday night prime-time press conference about energy dependence vs independence. The news anchors are keen to get him to talk about Governor Robert Ritchie, the likely Republican Presidential nominee, but Bartlet doesn't take the bait.
In-between interviews, CJ asks Toby for a favour with regards to a fax she's received from The US Poet Laureate, Tabitha Fortis, saying that she's not comfortable going ahead with a dinner in her honour unless she can chastise the administration for backing off on banning landmines. Despite Sam knowing more about landmines, Toby insists on talking to her himself. CJ asks if Toby "has a little touch of the poet, or would LIKE a little touch of the poet?" to which Toby replies Yes.
Back in the Mural Room, the President is on his 10th interview of the morning. In the chat afterwards, the news anchor asks him about Robert Richie and Bartlet is pretty dismissive, stating "I think we might be talking about a .22 caliber mind in a .357 magnum world". It is then that Toby realises that the mic was hot, and the news station had that exchange on B-Roll.
Act 1:
Josh, Sam and CJ are discussing President Bartlet's "open-mic gaffe", and that it comes across as if he was calling the Governor stupid. CJ, knowing she will be asked about it in the briefing room, suggests a "non-apology apology", which satisfies Josh and Sam.
Josh leaves CJ's office to find assistants Margaret, Donna, Bonnie and Ginger around a computer, laughing. They have found a fan website dedicated to Josh; "Lemon-Lyman.com". Josh is intrigued, but the senior staff briefing is about to start.
