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Delores
Landingham
Assistant to the President A feisty mix of efficient assistant
and walking reality check for the President, Mrs. Landingham ruled
the inner sanctum with an iron fist -- and a jar of coveted
cookies. |
- Mrs. Landingham enforced strict rules about appropriate language in the Oval Office and was not afraid to reprimand the President or the Chief of Staff [1.1].
- Her assistant was Nancy [1.2].
- She drank beer [1.5], and kept the President's chili recipe at her desk [1.5]. She also withheld food from the President [1.2].
- Her twin sons, Andrew and Simon, attended medical school together and went to Vietnam when their lottery numbers were called up after their second year. They chose not to get deferments and joined up as medics. They were pinned down in a fight in Da Nang and killed on Christmas Eve, 1970 [1.10].
- Mrs. Landingham worked for Bartlet for at least 12 years [2.1], probably longer, considering his observation that she hadn't missed a day's work in 14 years [1.5]. Although they seemed close, the President rarely called her by her first name, perhaps because they met when he was a teenager, and she was an administrative assistant for his father [2.22].
- She liked the movie Dial M for Murder [2.15].
- Mrs. Landingham was killed in a car accident in 2001, struck by a drunk driver at 18th and Potomac just after she picked up her brand new car -- for which she paid sticker price [2.21].
"There's no need to adopt a tone, Mr. President." [1.6]
"Their father and I begged them, but they wanted to go where people needed doctors. Their father and I begged them, but you can't tell kids anything. So they joined up as medics and four months later hey were pinned down during a fight in Da Nang and were killed by enemy fire. That was Christmas Eve 1970. You know, they were so young Charlie, they were your age. It's hard when that happens so far away, you know because, with the noises and the shooting, they had to be so scared. It's hard not to think that right then they needed their mother. Anyway, I miss my boys." [1.10]
"Once again you display an immaturity about vegetables that I think is not at all presidential." [1.19]
"Tell the President if he doesn't like his salad, he knows where he can put his salad." [1.20]
"Maybe after the ceremony you can get one of the fourth graders to come in and show you how to use the intercom." [2.8]
"Ah, sarcasm. The grumpy man's wit." [2.12]
"Charlie, please don't use the word erotic in the Oval Office." [2.15]
"'Caesar's wife must be above reproach.'" [2.21]
"Governor, does it ever frustrate you to constantly aim for humor and yet miss so dramatically?" [3.9]
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Deborah Fiderer Assistant to the President (formerly Debbie DiLaguardia) |
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Works in personnel and recommended Charlie Young for his position as personal aide to the president [1.3], an action for which she was fired [3.22]. In order to repay her for recommending him, Charlie arranged for her to interview for Mrs. Landingham's position, but Deborah's meeting with Bartlet did not go well [3.22].
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After she was fired from the White House, she divorced her husband, played blackjack, and raised two alpacas for their wool [3.22].
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She had formerly worked as executive assistant to Terence Hunt, Jack Kent Cook, and the head of the US Olympic Organizing Committee [3.22].
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Debbie installed new rules barring senior staffers from arriving late to their daily meeting with the President. Or from entering the meeting without their briefing memos. Josh is a little fuzzy on the salient details [4.7].
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Debbie really enjoys the occasional poker game [4.20].
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Her sister died of cervical cancer at age 37 [5.15].
"I did our secret wrap it up sign, which is I knock and say, 'The Deputy NSA needs to talk about Japan,' and he said, 'You talk to him; you've been there,' which is true, but makes me think he's forgotten it's the secret sign." [5.17]
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Margaret
Assistant to the Chief of Staff Quirky but efficient, Margaret assists Leo with a combination of deference and sarcasm. |
- She is Leo McGarry's assistant [1.1]. Sometimes she listens outside the door [2.4], and she doesn't allow him to make his own appointments [3.2].
- Margaret once staged a short-lived work slowdown when Leo brushed off Donna's points about ergonomics [2.6]. She and Donna also seem to have stepped into the void created by Mrs. Landingham's death by assuming de facto leadership rules for the assistants [3.20].
- She is friends with Lynette [1.19], corresponds via email with Jolene Millman regarding the calorie count of the cinnamon raisin muffins [1.19], and has been known to pass along sensitive information to Donna Moss [1.10].
- Margaret can forge President Bartlet's signature [2.2].
- Margaret is a bit of a worrywart; according to Leo, she "worries if the sun's going to rise" [2.7].
- She worked on the Bartlet campaign and was in charge of assigning volunteers [2.2].
- Bruno Gianelli calls her "red-headed girl," which seems to irritate her [3.1]. He also called her Stacy, then gave her a necklace with her name on it [3.20].
- Even when Leo gives her permission, she will only go home when he goes home [3.17]. During times of crisis, Margaret will only sleep when Leo sleeps [4.23].
"I can sign the President's name; I've got his signature down pretty good." [2.2]
"Apparently your response to Donna's perfectly legitimate concern about the White House not supporting OSHA's recommendation regarding Repetitive Stress Injuries was 'Type slower.' Donna has organized most of the assistants in the White House to do just that." [2.6]
"I left her alone, 'cause I think I was freaking her out." [2.9]
"I say we should've gone in there with four tank divisions and turned the place into a casino." [3.2]
"Do I need to explain the rules on making appointments again? Are you confused? … I'll jot them down." [3.2]
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Bonnie Communications Aide |
"Don't kill the messenger, Leo." [1.1]
"My answer hasn't changed since the last time you asked me." [3.6]
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Carol
Assistant to the Press Secretary |
Assistant to the Deputy Communications Director
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Ginger
Assistant to the Director of Communications |
- She is from New Jersey, where cursing is encouraged [1.20].
- She has never had a boisenberry danish [2.4].
- Ginger occasionally sasses Sam [2.12].
- Apparently, Ginger likes moose. And possibly porn [3.20].