As always, professorial Chief of Staff Leo McGarry resolutely serves as Bartlet's political and emotional right hand, while Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lyman keeps his highly regarded political mind in overdrive.

Josh returns from Germany in time to voice concerns about Leo; the Israelis and Palenstinians meet at Camp David with little chance of an agreement; the President and Leo's differences over the Middle East crisis reach a breaking point.

Leo is found in the woods and rushed to the hospital; the staff struggle to hold the peace deal together without a Chief of Staff; the President neglects his duties out of loyalty and guilt towards Leo; Donna arrives back in the USA.

An emissary from the Republic of Georgia visits the White House and offers weapons-grade uranium stored in a research reactor the Russians left behind when they pulled out of Georgia.

Josh test-drives an SUV and crashes into a hybrid car resulting in bad publicity for the White House. Annabeth Schott, the new press secretary, has been on the job for a week and prepares to encounter the press corps for the first time.

The United States peacekeeping compound is attacked, and American soldiers are killed. As the White House struggles to control the story, the father of a slain soldier speaks out against the mission.

Final preparations are being made for Bartlet's visit to China when he accepts a flag from the delegation representing the Taiwanese Independence Movement--prompting China to prepare for military action.

At a Bartlet family birthday, magicians Penn and Teller burn the American flag in the White House, prompting a publicity nightmare. Aboard Air Force One, Bartlet is stricken by a paralyzing episode of his multiple sclerosis.

As Bartlet arrives in China for a critical meeting, the President is still suffering the paralyzing effects of multiple sclerosis. Meanwhile, an asteroid is headed for the U.S., leaving Josh and Leo to deal with the consequences.

The press circulates an untrue rumor about C.J. A controversial amendment banning gay marriage is added to the budget. Josh convinces Santos to vie for the office of President.

Josh travels to New Hampshire with Santos to start up their campaign headquarters. But problems arise from the beginning when they set up the office in an abandoned shack, and personal differences about the campaign's goals become evident.

The day after the President's annual State of the Union address, the harried staff deals with one emergency situation after another. Kate works on a sensitive situation in Bolivia while C.J. handles one in North Korea.

The Midwestern state of Iowa is the location for the first presidential debate among the candidates. At the Iowa Corn Growers' Expo, Vice President Russell gives the first speech.

An Iranian fighter jet accidentally shoots down a British passenger plane, killing 100 people, but C.J. is reluctant to wake the President even as the hawkish British prime minister considers bombing Iran's nuclear reactors in retaliation.

Five days before the New Hampshire primary, a desperate Josh must get his trailing candidate, Congressman Matthew Santos, into the local debate between the two front-runners, Vice President Russell and John Hoynes.

Vice President Russell appears to be the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination for President. But a new contender, Senator Rafferty gives an amazing speech and has members of the press filling their columns with her words.

Santos travels to Sacramento, California, for the last few days before Super Tuesday (a day when a large number of states simultaneously hold their primary elections; the single day when the most nominating delegates can be won).

Speculations surround the nexus between Cuba and the US. Bartlet has a conundrum - continue secret talks with Cuba's dictator and lift an antiquated embargo or yield to bipartisan political fallout and reaffirm 40-year-old sanctions.

Arnold Vinick begins working on his campaign. Bruno Gianelli, a political strategist, gives the Republican candidate advice about choosing a vice president and handling Vinick's latest controversy--his failure to attend church.

The success of the impeccably organized Republican Convention contrasts with the Democrats who look in disarray as the candidates continue to battle to become the Democratic Party presidential nominee.

At the Democratic Party National Convention, the race to become the presidential nominee has narrowed to three candidates: Russell, Hoynes and Santos.