Phenomenal Capacity.

Martin Sheen as President Bartlet in “The West Wing.”

In the West Wing episode “He shall, from time to time…” ( Season 1, Ep. 12) President Bartlet, played by Martin Sheen, is on his way to deliver his very first State of the Union Address. Before doing so, however, he meets with the Secretary of Agriculture, who has been selected as Designated Successor for the evening. Bartlet lists out the first action steps the Secretary should take if he were to have to take over the office of the Presidency —…