Allison Janney as Press Secretary C.J. Cregg NBC Photo: James Sorensen

Teleplay: Aaron Sorkin , Story: Eli Attie & Gene Sperling, Director: Alex Graves

Takes Place: Before October 4 (Donna meets someone here who she sleeps with on the 4^th [#49])

Broadcast: October 24, 2001

Query: How many times has Bartlet vetoed bills?

Query: What was it that Sam and Victor Compos were saying to each other in Spanish?

Query: Is a doctorate from Oxford called a Ph.D.?

Query: Is there a Yale Law Review?

C.J. hears from White House Chief Counsel, Oliver Babish and their "resident Republican", Ainsley Hayes, that Clem Rollins, the new Special Prosecutor assigned to investigate the President, is known far and wide as fair and impartial. He is known for his integrity. She actually thinks this is bad for the administration and pulls Leo aside:

"What have you got?" he asks her.
"Nothing and you know why?"
"Rollins likes us."
"Well, I don't know if he likes us but he doesn't hate us."
"Well that's just because he doesn't know us."
"Leo, we need to be investigated by someone who wants to kill us just to watch us die. We need someone perceived by the American people to be irresponsible, untrustworthy, partisan, ambitious and thirsty for the limelight. Am I crazy or is this not a job for the U.S. House of Representatives?"
"Well, they'll get around to it sooner or later."
"Let's make it sooner, let's make it now. . . . " Her approach is smooth and she convinces Leo.

Toby and Josh are trying to compromise with Congress on the "Estate Tax"/"Death Tax". All of a sudden meetings are cancelled. Josh gives Toby an explantion:

"The White House is weak, what would you do?"
Later Josh says, "Toby, I just don't know on how many fronts we can fight a war. You want to find out?"
"Yeah," responds Toby, who never really wanted to compromise anyway.

C.J. asks Ainsley to get out some information on the Special Prosecutor:

"Babish and Rollins wrote a paper together for the Yale Law Review."
"You should get it out there," Ainsley tells her.
"Yeah, the trouble is that I can't just make photocopies and distribute it."
"What do you need"
"I want you to get together with one of your friends in the press room from a conservative paper."
"You really think we have a secret handshake, don't you?"
"Do you?"
"Yes."

Charlie is doing Mrs. Landingham's job as well as his own. He tries to suggest that the President start interviewing people to take over the job left open by her death. But Bartlet isn't taking hints. When alone in the outer office, her old desk draws him. He obviously misses her and all the things she made easier for him --- things she allowed him not to have to bother with.

Of course, this is the White House and so these are not the only problems. There are political problems that Sam is sent to fix and he gets help from Connie from the campaign staff. And then there is this fire that is burning. The President is sure he is going to be accused of favoring fire:

"Letting this fire burn is good for the environment," he tells Leo. "You know how I know?"
"How?"
"'Cause smart people told me. Please, God, Leo, let them be right!" Later he adds, "I'm betting on a weather report, of all things."

For anyone interested in guest stars of this episode (as well as more information),
let us recommend the West Wing Episode Guide.

Background from Bravo: What you need to know from past episodes.