Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics

This article is about an episode of The West Wing. For the phrase, see Lies, damned lies, and statistics.

"Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics"
The West Wing episode
Episode no.	Season 1 Episode 21
Directed by	Don Scardino
Written by	Aaron Sorkin
Production code	225920
Original air date	May 10, 2000
Guest stars
Marlee Matlin Lisa Edelstein Timothy Busfield Thom Gossom Jr. David Huddleston Janel Moloney Austin Pendleton Lawrence Pressman Reiko Aylesworth Renee Estevez Bill O'Brien
Season 1 episodes
September 22, 1999 – May 17, 2000 Pilot Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc A Proportional Response Five Votes Down The Crackpots and These Women Mr. Willis of Ohio The State Dinner Enemies The Short List In Excelsis Deo Lord John Marbury He Shall, from Time to Time... Take out the Trash Day Take This Sabbath Day Celestial Navigation 20 Hours in L.A. The White House Pro-Am Six Meetings Before Lunch Let Bartlet Be Bartlet Mandatory Minimums Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics What Kind of Day Has It Been
List of The West Wing episodes

"Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics" is the 21st episode of The West Wing. The title comes from a quote of uncertain origins, frequently attributed to British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli and later popularized in America by author Mark Twain: "The remark attributed to Disraeli would often apply with justice and force: "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics."

Plot

The staff anxiously await poll results while potential crises flare, including the possible revelation of Sam's association with call girl Laurie. To avoid controversy, Sam does not attend Laurie's law school graduation, but he later gives her a graduation present and a hug. The hug is captured on film by a newspaper after a friend of Laurie's is paid to set up the photo opportunity, and Sam fears that the picture will be used as part of a dirty political battle. Toby and C.J. are both furious with Sam. Toby nevertheless defends Sam to the President, who says that he will instruct the Attorney General to ensure that Laurie is called to the bar if she passes the bar exam.

The President continues his crusade for campaign finance reform by following up the earlier, very pro-reform appointees to the Federal Election Commission; his efforts include a complex reassignment of diplomats that involves firing the ambassador to Bulgaria (who is having an affair with the Prime Minister's daughter, and who will get a lucrative corporate job upon his eviction from the State Department) and assigning the current FEC chair and opponent of campaign finance reform to a dream job as ambassador to Micronesia. Finally, the President meets with a top Republican leader who agrees with the White House on campaign finance reform and nothing else, and they come to an understanding. Charlie recognizes the ambassador to Bulgaria as a member of a whites-only country club where Charlie once worked, and he relishes telling the ambassador that his government career is over.

Alongside pollster Joey Lucas, the staff awaits the results of the latest poll on the President's popularity. C.J. is especially anxious for the poll results, after predicting an increase of five points in the President's approval rating despite her colleagues' conservative predictions that the rating will either hold steady or decline slightly. Her faith is not only rewarded but surpassed by the final results: their approval has jumped nine points.

This episode confirms that there have been four Republican Presidents in the last thirty years previous to April/May 2000 when this episode is set, which is the same as the real world at that point.

Awards and nominations

Allison Janney won a 2000 Emmy Award for her performance as C.J. Cregg, based on this episode and the episode "Celestial Navigation".

External links

• The West Wing Episode Guide