"The Short List" is the 9th episode of The West Wing. The episode introduces recurring characters Robert Mendoza and Gail the goldfish and a story arc concerning potential congressional investigation of a White House staff members history of substance abuse.
When a liberal Supreme Court justice retires, President Bartlet and his staff are energized by the opportunity to improve the president's approval ratings with a politically "safe" nominee, P...
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"The Short List" is the 9th episode of The West Wing. The episode introduces recurring characters Robert Mendoza and Gail the goldfish and a story arc concerning potential congressional investigation of a White House staff members history of substance abuse.
When a liberal Supreme Court justice retires, President Bartlet and his staff are energized by the opportunity to improve the president's approval ratings with a politically "safe" nominee, Peyton Harrison III. The retiring justice (played by Mason Adams) 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...
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