This was the first episode to air shortly after the death of John Spencer. It began with a brief memorial presented by Martin Sheen to honor his cast mate and his friend.
Part of the story line is an inadvertent showing by Helen Santos of her panties and tattoo. In February, 10 months earlier, Teri Polo had posed nude for Playboy Magazine.
The story line of Leo's difficulties in preparing for the Vice Presidential debate was likely inspired by the real-life debate collapse of Ross Perot's running mate Vice Admiral James Stockdale in 1992. Stockdale was not a seasoned debater, and indeed didn't know he would be in the debate until one week before it was scheduled.
David Barrera plays the brother of Congressman Matt Santos (Jimmy Smits). Barrera played Detective Bobby Simone's doctor on NYPD Blue (1993).