Ron Erlich is named Chairman of the Federal Reserve after Bernard Dahl passes away. Under normal circumstances, the President would have named Erlich, who was Vice-Chairman of the Federal Reserve at the time, to become the new Chairman. However, President Bartlet wanted to wait one day before appointing him because Erlich dated Abigail Bartlet, President Bartlet's wife, in 1970 for nine months. First Lady Bartlet let out Wire magazine piece stating she supported Erlich before President Bartlet could publicly make a decision which caused a little news storm.