When new polling puts Santos and Vinick neck-and-neck nationwide, the Santos campaign staff are elated – Josh and Donna so much so that they end up sharing a kiss, which forces them to confront their feelings for each other. Vinick, on the other hand, has a cold, and is feeling pressure from the RNC to make a rightward turn in his campaign and play to the Republican base. This makes Bruno nervous and afraid he's going to be fired. President Bartlet summons both candidates to the White House so he can advise them that he's ordering tens of thousands of U.S. troops into Kazakhstan. Before he meets with either Presidential candidate, he meets with Leo McGarry, whom he has also called to the White House. Bartlet's meeting with Leo is more personal as he shares his concerns about the consequences of his decisions, with Leo back in his old role as the President's closest confidant. This would be John Spencer's last appearance.

A student (Vicellous Reon Shannon) who just graduated from Princeton experiences severe spasms at a graduation party. Meanwhile, House's parents drop by but he is reluctant to see them, igniting curiosity among the hospital staff.