After a major terrorist attack kills the president along with most of his cabinet, Housing Secretary Tom Kirkman succeeds to the office of president and deals with the aftermath of the attack.
A year after he became president, Tom Kirkman continues to look for the terrorists responsible for the capitol's bombing.
President Kirkman is dealing with the realities of election campaigns, the pitfalls of the opposition's political advertising methods, and his continuous attempts in the hope of being re-elected for another term.