Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics

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“Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics”
The West Wing episode
Episode no.	Season 1 Episode 21
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
Written by	Aaron Sorkin
Directed by	Don Scardino
Production no.	225920
Original airdate
Season 1 episodes
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 Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli of England or to Mark Twain, the American author and humorist: "There are three kinds of numbers: lies, damned lies, and statistics."

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

1 Plot
2 Awards and nominations
3 Notes
4 External link

[edit] 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.