Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics (The West Wing)

"Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics (The West Wing)"

"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 Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli of England or to Mark Twain, the American author and humorist: "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 call girl associate, Laurie. The president continues his crusade for campaign finance reform via his appointees to the Federal Election Commission; his efforts include a complex reassignment of diplomats in order to create a new vacancy to be filled by appointing the FEC's current chair, thus enabling his replacement with a more reform-friendly member, and the deliberate attempt by Leo and Jed to overawe a timid member of the FEC whom they know to be reform friendly too.

C.J. is especially anxious for the poll results, after predicting a significant increase in the president's approval rating despite her colleagues' conservative estimates that the rating will either hold steady or decline slightly.

This episodes 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