When the erudite Democrat Josiah "Jed" Bartlet is elected US president, he installs his administration. He places confidants from his electoral campaigns in the White House. Each of these people play a significant role in the Washington power game: the chief of staff (Leo McGarry), his deputy (Josh Lyman), Communications director (Toby Zeigler), deputy (Sam Seaborn, and later, Will Bailey), and press secretary (CJ Cregg). Also in key positions are the secretaries, or aids, of each of the power players. We follow these people through many political battles, as well as some personal ones. Also playing roles are the First Lady (Abigail Bartlet), the president's daughters (Elizabeth, Eleanor, and Zoey), and the personal aid to the president (Charlie Young). All make this series, which supposedly follows the political events (often paraphrasing historical reality) almost day by day, more then a political soap. The demands of office on each of them shows the personal sacrifice and the forced compromise of ideals and principles for tactical necessity, and allows some insights on many aspects of US society and international politics.

Some of the exterior shots of the West Wing office were filmed on location at the South Portico of the Headquarters of the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution on 1776 D Street NW in Washington D.C.

Josh Lyman:
We decided to move the press briefing to 2 to cover the teachers. But C.J. had emergency Root Canal at noon and was unable to do the briefing.


President Josiah Bartlet:
Who did the briefing?


Josh Lyman:
I did.


President Josiah Bartlet:
Oh, God.

Factual errors: White House sugar packets do not have labels or manufacturers' names on them, only a presidential seal.