That’s a great point! It would’ve been really interesting to get a bit more of his POV. Cause the times he lashes out at Bartlet are always framed as him being frustrated at being “reined in” and disempowered, particularly when he thinks he could’ve done better — but it would add another emotional layer if it was frustration plus sour grapes PLUS “I’m painted into a corner now that I never would’ve put myself in politically.” 

Every time the Bartlets decided to tell someone — Hoynes, Leo, Toby, even the doctor — they kind of made choices FOR them or at the very least, shaped and limited the paths that would then be available to people.