Leo McGarry
By Hypable Staff Writer: Brittany Lovely
White House Chief of Staff: Whether he is arguing with the New York Times over the misspelling of foreign leaders’ names in the crossword, or working out rescue missions in the Situation Room, Leo McGarry, portrayed by the late John Spencer, made everyone wish they had a Chief of Staff to guide them through the ups and down of daily life. The definition of stoic, Leo’s battles with alcoholism and his prevailing relationship with work over his family are not detriments to his character, but rather help make him the man who fields the struggles of Josh, Toby, CJ, Sam, and even Margaret at times. His respect for the office of the President, and his calm, loyal, friendship with President Bartlet left an impression not only on viewers, but also on the men who served as Chief of Staff in Washington, D.C. Writing the immortal words, “Barlet for America” and “Let Bartlet be Bartlet” lit a fuse in every character close to the administration. Perhaps above all, Leo’s fatherly presence in the halls of the White House gave The West Wing soul.
Favorite Quote: President Josiah Bartlet: “Twenty-seven lawyers in the room. Anybody know “Post hoc, ergo propter hoc”? Josh?”
Josh Lyman: “Uh, uh, ‘post’ – after, after hoc, ‘ergo’ – therefore, ‘After hoc, therefore’ something else hoc.”
President Josiah Bartlet: “Thank you. Next?”
Josh Lyman: “Well, if I had gotten more credit on the 443…”
President Josiah Bartlet: “Leo?”
Leo McGarry: “After it therefore because of it.”
President Josiah Bartlet: “After it therefore because of it.” It means one thing follows the other, therefore it was caused by the other. But it’s not always true. In fact, it’s hardly ever true.”
Favorite Scene/Episode: In season 3, episode 16, Josh learns the painful lesson that it is never productive to feed the Internet trolls.
Favorite Guest Star: Timothy Busfield as Danny Concannon, the Washington Post White House Correspondent played an interesting role over the course of the 7 seasons. He had to maintain the integrity of his job while at the same time attempting to romance C.J. Cregg.
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