Much to his dad's dismay, Richie defies Cunningham Republican tradition and campaigns for the Democrats during the 1956 Eisenhower-Stevenson presidential race.

Richie gets an in for an interview with famous children's entertainers Bob Smith and Howdy Doody when little sister Joanie appears on the television show to present the popular puppet with the Chipmunk of the Year Award. But Richie is later confronted with an ethical dilemma after Life magazine offers to buy his one-of-a-kind photo of clown Clarabelle caught without his makeup.