Mac's appendix bursts mid-flight on Air Force One and, with Vice President Keaton having resigned, House Speaker Templeton becomes acting president, and he relishes the role. Meanwhile, an airline strike is crippling air traffic on the eve of Memorial Day weekend, and Templeton deals with it in a way Mac certainly wouldn't.

Mac makes a new push for passage of the Equal Rights Amendment when a longtime congressional ERA foe dies and his widow prepares to take his seat. Mac also participates in a Get Out the Vote function with Templeton that turns into an impromptu debate. Meanwhile, a reporter approaches Rod about a story on his relationship with Mac; Rebecca makes a surprising discovery; and Mac's differences with Dickie become apparent.