Just before Christmas, Leo is called before Congress to testify about the President's non-disclosure of his illness during his presidential campaign. Flashbacks reveal that, on the eve of the last presidential debate, Leo caved into temptation and drank, and one of the few people in the know is a new Republican Representative intent on publicly exposing the incident, unless Josh can figure out a way around it. The President, meanwhile, is involved in an investigation of a series of firebombings of black churches in the South. Hoping to avoid a Christmas tragedy, Bartlet considers sending troops to protect church-goers, but is relieved when the FBI arrests the responsible person. Also, sparks fly between Leo and his lawyer, Jordan Kendall.

2002 Emmy Award Nominee:
Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing For A Series
Outstanding Cinematography For A Single-Camera Series

2002 ASC Award Winner:
Outstanding Achievement in Episodic Television Series

Starring:

ROB LOWE as Sam Seaborn
STOCKARD CHANNING as First Lady Abigail Bartlet
DULÉ HILL as Charlie Young
ALLISON JANNEY as C.J. Cregg
JANEL MOLONEY as Donna Moss
RICHARD SCHIFF as Toby Ziegler
JOHN SPENCER as Leo McGarry
BRADLEY WHITFORD as Josh Lyman
and MARTIN SHEEN as President Josiah Bartlet