Sam was the Deputy White House Communications Director under President Josiah Bartlet and, later Deputy White House Chief of Staff under President Matt Santos. Throughout the first season, Sam somewhat struggled with a friendship he had with a prostitute, or call-girl, named Laurie, who when they first met, he didn't know or had any knowledge she was a call-girl. Sam is generally the idealist in the group, and often the most politically naive, leading him to be duped on several occasions by less scrupulous individuals.