Plot summary
Josh, Sam, and Toby have spent two months vetting a strong candidate, Judge Peyton Cabot Harrison III ( Ken Howard ), for an open seat on the Supreme Court, and he consents to the nomination. The senior aides show jubilation, but Donna advises Josh to use cautious optimism. The retiring associate justice privately expresses displeasure of the choice to President Bartlet. Sam receives an anonymous tip and is given an old law review note with damaging material, which he reports to his colleagues and the President, who then requests data on a different candidate, Judge Roberto Mendoza ( Edward James Olmos ).
Danny gives C.J. a goldfish. A contrarian member of Congress, seeking publicity, alleges that one-third of White House staff members regularly use illicit drugs; Josh tells Leo that the latter is the target of the campaign. After two serious meetings in the Oval Office, the President offers the nomination to Judge Mendoza, who accepts.
Credits
Adapted from Wikipedia contributors, The West Wing season 1. HTML formatting and reference markers removed.