Donna as Press Secretary
First off I think it is rediculous that carol didn't just replace cj as press secretary. Isn't that what a deputy is for? But why wouldn't they have considered donna for press secretary.
shareI think Carol was an assistant, not a deputy, and she never filled in for CJ (they didn't show many briefings CJ didn't do). There would be a huge difference between an assistant and deputies duties and they'd already gone way too far overboard into fantasyland with Donna in that regard to attempt it in any other office. And real world consideration they would have had to offer Melissa Fitzgerald a contract!
Why would they have considered Donna? She wasn't qualified for the job she was doing, never mind anything else. I know the show had a belief that you could find yourself on a campaign so that is where her character went, but she had no qualifications for it.
How was donna not qualified? I'm sure she had her degree by then. And she had worked for josh for 6 years by then. On the job experiance out ways any schooling i personally believe.
shareShe didn't go back to school, that was Charlie. Working as an assistant to the DCOS doesn't give her any experience in media/communications. If during her time at the white house she had wanted to move to a different position, though it's doubtful she could have, her experience may have gotten her to a legislative aide position.
But, then again we're talking about a fantasy land where a press sec. became COS - so really anything could have happened. But, the show was at it's best when it had a legitimate feel.
Donna does become the spokesperson for the campaign when she leaves Josh to campaign with the VP.
shareDonna was a spokesperson for the campaign, but not necessarily THE spokesperson. Josh ultimately considers her for Deputy Press Secretary, implying even after the campaign she wasn't ready for the lead job. (She was probably under-qualified for every job she had during the show, but rose to the occasion, and beyond, each time.)
But CJ did have a deputy, we just never saw him. According to The West Wing Wiki, his name was Tim Waters, and he was only mentioned once. I can't find the reference, but it seems he resigned at some point either shortly before or shortly after CJ was promoted. (We learn this when Annabeth interviews for a job in the West Wing.)
Also, in The Leadership Breakfast (Season 2), Toby negotiates to move a press conference to the Hill against C.J.'s wishes:
C.J.: But first of all, if they say anything that needs a response I need twenty minutes with staff. I can't stand around there and huddle in front of the White House and Congressional Press Corps.
TOBY: There's not gonna be a surprise, you've already decided what you're gonna say, which is not much of anything at all!
C.J.: [steps in front of him] We don't speak for the President on the steps of the capital, we don't need to be offered their microphone it makes us look like less than what we are, in fact, it makes us look small!
TOBY: We're calling tax breaks tax reliefs, refusing to discuss raising the salary of those living in poverty, arguing the seating arrangement and you think that's going to make us look small?
C.J.: Toby.
TOBY: We're talking about the no litigation clause for fifteen minutes. I don't care if the damn press conference is outside the rotary club.
[She's clearly not happy, as she turns back to her desk.]
C.J.: It shouldn't be me then.
TOBY: Fine.
C.J.: It should be the deputy.
Later in the same episode, the administration gets blindsided by the Majority Leader, and C.J. is speaking on the phone to Toby to figure out how to respond.
C.J.: [to Carol] Get me Henry.
SECOND CONGRESSMAN [on T.V.]: We came here in an honest effort to find common ground...
CAROL: [holding the cell] Henry.
C.J.: I've got Henry. What do you want?
CUT TO: INT. TOBY'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
Toby is silent.
SECOND CONGRESSMAN: ...in this legislative session. If the White House insists on saying one thing to our face and another...
CUT TO: INT. ANN STARK'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
Ann is satisfied with the result.
SECOND CONGRESSMAN: ...to us through the media. If the White House insists on ambushing us with ultimatums in the press...
CUT TO: INT. C.J.'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
C.J.: What do you want me to do, Toby?
TOBY: [pause] Don't let him take the podium. You'll take questions in the briefing room in 20 minutes.
C.J. hangs up, and speaks through the cell phone.
C.J.: Henry, get home.
It's not explicitly stated, but this implies Henry is the aforementioned deputy.
Perhaps Henry is now Press Secretary for Mandyville :)
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