Thomas Kopache

The staff scrambles to win over congressmen holding out for political favours when the House of Representatives readies to override the president's death tax veto, and Charlie considers asking for immunity.

The president plays chess with Sam and Toby literally, and with sabre-rattling Chinese figuratively, in a game of brinkmanship, and Josh tries to account for all 42 votes cast in a portentous New Hampshire presidential primary.

An Israeli air strike in Qumar interrupts Bartlet's preparations for presidential debates; the staff reflects on the administration's early days in Washington, D.C.

The president considers breaking the law to rescind the diplomatic immunity of a known terrorist, Josh battles his lover over a welfare reform bill, and CJ develops a newfound respect for her Secret Service bodyguard.

The White House staff respond to a warning of an impending terrorist attack, while frustrated CJ deals with an inflexible Secret Service agent assigned to protect her.

As the White House staffers rejoice following Bartlet's victory, the outcome of a bizarre congressional race in a conservative California district provides them with a surprising idea.