The West Wing (Important)

A quote from a recent episode of the Tv show the West Wing shown in Britain and Internationally, I have highlighted in bold the part that shocked me.

Epsiode Name: Red Mass

Character quote: Leo (the President’s Chief of Staff)
It’s that I don’t know what winning looks like. What does it look like. Is it… ** I mean, is it
honestly the U.S. flag flying over Mecca? Is that what’s going to straighten this out? And if
that’s the case, why are we postponing that? ** What are we hoping is going happens in the meantime

and what was the response to this question? What did the character say?

^ Mehnaz, it was a rhetorical question to another advisor. It was still shocking to hear on mainstream television.

what's so shocking Zakk.. what's left is the formality anyway..

^ true PA..still it was shocking to hear it on mainstream TV, and what is surprising nobody else picked up on it.