The American President (1995) - full transcript

Liberty's moving.

The 10:15 event's been moved inside
to the Indian Treaty room.

10:15 is American Fisheries?

Yes, sir.
They're giving you a 200 pound halibut.

Janie, make a note.
We need to schedule more events

where somebody gives me a really big fish.

- Yes, sir.
- Janie, I'm kidding.

Of course, sir.

- Hey, Cooper.
- Morning, Mr. President.

Mr. Rothschild asked to have
a moment with you this morning, sir.

Is he upset about the speech last night?



He seemed concerned.

Well, it wouldn't be a Monday morning
unless Lewis was concerned

about something I did Sunday night.

- You skipped a whole paragraph!
- And Monday morning it is.

"Americans can no longer afford
to pretend they live in a great society..."

And then, nothing, you dumped
the whole handguns paragraph.

This is a time for prudence, Lewis.

(SIGHS) But, sir, that was he kick-ass section.

Well, I thought what with being
President and all...

I'm sorry, sir, I didn't mean to imply.

I thought you'd be turning
cartwheels this morning, Lewis.

- 63% job approval.
- That is good news, sir.

Morning, Mr. President.

- Charlie.
- Morning, Charlie.



Sir, the press is gonna need an explanation.

For what?

Well, because you dumped
the whole kick-ass section.

Now we've just got this thing
hanging out there.

There's this thing hanging out there?

"Americans can no longer afford
to pretend they live in a great society..."

And then nothing.
I mean, no explanation, no context.

- It's just this thing.
- And it's... It's hanging out there?

- Yes, sir.
- Maria.

- Good morning, sir.
- Good morning.

Tell ya I'm gonna need the consumers...

Overall consumer spending
and not just first homes?

- We'll have it for you in 15 minutes.
- Thanks.

Mr. President, I really feel...

Lewis, however much coffee you drink
in the morning, I want you to reduce it by half.

I don't drink coffee, sir.

Then hit yourself over the head
with a baseball bat, would you please?

- Yes, sir.
- Happy birthday, Laura.

- Laura, happy birthday.
- Thank you, sir.

I should send her some flowers.

- You already did, sir.
- Oh, good.

- Good morning, Mr. President.
- How are you today, Mrs. Chapil?

Fine, thank you, sir.

Mr. Kodak left a detailed breakdown
of the approval poll for you.

He seemed to indicate
that it was very good news.

63% of it, at any rate.

Lucy called just a moment ago.

You forgot to sign her permission slip
for her class.

Ah, the museum trip.
I'll go get it, sir.

- What time is she getting home today?
- 3:20.

- How's my afternoon look?
- Very crowded.

- Schedule some time at 3:45.
- Buenos días, Señor Presidente.

Too-tall McCall!
So how was Mexico?

I didn't truly appreciate it until I came back

and discovered that America
isn't a great society.

He dumped a whole section.

Now there's this thing hanging out there.

Not a great society, sir?

What, with you out of the country, it wasn't.

Now that you're back, Robin,
we're great again.

Well, there's a press room
full of people saying,

-"What did he mean by that?"
- See?

- AJ, did you get one of these?
- Is that the letter from Solomon at the GDC?

Well, it appears to be a letter
from the entire environmental community.

- These people are out of control.
- Well, they're frustrated, Mr. President.

Are they blaming the President
for global warming?

Well, they don't think he caused it,
if that's what you mean.

Sir, I'm on the phone
with these people twice a week.

I honestly don't know
what they want at this point.

What they want is a 20% reduction
in fossil fuel emissions.

- It won't pass at 20%.
- Well, we haven't really tried.

Lewis, McSorley, McClusky and Shane
hold too many markers.

If we try to push this through and lose,

there will be a very loud thud
when we hit the ground,

and that's not what you want
in an election year.

Talk to the GDC again, AJ,

tell them the President resents the implication

he's turned his back on the environment.

Tell them, I'll send 455 to the floor,
but I'm gonna ask for a 10% reduction.

If they want to pull their support, fine.

With a 63% job approval rating,
I don't need their help to get a bill passed.

- Good deal.
- All right. Let's get going. Where's Leon?

John, will you call Mr. Kodak
and tell him the President's waiting.

(GLASS BREAKING)
- LEON: I'm sorry. My fault.

- Never mind, John.
-(DOOR OPENING)

Excuse me.
Good morning, Mr. President.

- Are you all right?
- They keep moving that big ficus plant.

(ALL SNIGGERING)

We're all here, Mr. President.

Okay. First of all,
I wanted to say congratulations.

Three years ago,
we were elected the White House

by one of the narrowest margins in history,

and today, Kodak here tells us

63% of registered voters
think we're doing a good job.

Wait a second.
You wanted me to poll registered voters?

But the poll also tells us
what we already know.

If we don't get our crime bill
through Congress,

those numbers are gonna be a memory.

So starting today, we're shifting it into gear.

Can I tell my morning press gaggle
that gun control...

Crime control, Robin.

Gun control means we're wimps,
and we're soft on crime.

- Well, hang on. Are we not...
- Lewis, please.

Are we not putting back
the handgun restrictions?

No, we're leaving them out.

Mr. President, we campaigned on this issue.

I understand, we took them out
when we were in the, what, '40s,

but we could push it through now.

After the elections, Lewis.

We may never have
an opportunity like this again.

Sir, let's take this 63% out for a spin.
Let's see what it could do.

We can't take it out for a spin.
We need it to get reelected.

For reasons passing understanding, people
do not relate guns to gun-related crime.

Robin, you can brief the press this afternoon.

As of today, the crime bill is Priority 1
on the President's domestic agenda.

- Got it.
- Leon, you're gonna run the war room.

We're gonna need detailed projections for all
the target districts by the end of the week.

Oh, and, Leon, don't be the nice, sweet guy
from Brooklyn on this one.

- Do what the NRA does.
- What, scare the shit out of them?

- Exactly.
- I can do that.

Lewis, we want you to be
legislative liaison on this.

You're gonna run the show on the Hill.

Can I just say,
to return to the subject for one moment

that it might be easier to fight a war on drugs
if we weren't arming drug dealers?

We gotta fight the fights we can win, Lewis.

Yes, sir.

AJ: Now we want to announce the crime bill

at the State of the Union,
which is 72 days from today.

The last nose count put us 18 votes short.

Eighteen votes in 72 days.
Thank you, everyone.

(ALL THANKING)

- Okay Janie, what's next?
- Security briefing, sir.

(PHONE RINGING)

WOMAN: Good morning.
Global Defense Council.

You wanted to see me?

I just got off the phone with AJ MacInerney.

(SIGHS) Did the President read the letter?

The President's pissed as hell, Susan.
That letter was a stupid move.

It was aggressive,
and I think we should stand by every word...

This isn't the guy who needed our help
four years ago, Susan.

He's incredibly popular.

He's gonna win re-election in a walk,
and he could give a shit what we stand by!

If the President passes the most important
piece of environmental legislation in history,

and does it despite
our negative endorsement,

our political weight in the future will rank

somewhere below
the Save the Spotted Owl Society.

I'm bringin' in some help.

(SCOFFS) We don't need
another environmental expert

to confirm what every
other environmental expert...

Not an environmental expert.
A professional political strategist.

We're playing hardball with
Andrew Shepherd, and we need a heavy bat.

- Who?
- Sydney Ellen Wade.

(SCOFFS) Christ, Leo!

That woman doesn't know the first thing
about the environmental lobby!

She's a closer, Susan.
She gets the job done.

- What if I lose this?
- Then move this up here.

David Sasser from The Times called,

want to know what the White House
felt was a great society.

What did you tell him?

I told him that
I couldn't speak for the President

but for my money, Bermuda.

Perfect.

Mr. President, your cousin Judith
has come down with the flu

and won't be able to
join you Thursday night.

I'm sorry to hear that.
Remind me to give her a call later today.

- Yes, sir.
- You gonna go stag?

- Is that a problem?
- No, we've never gone wrong

parading you around as the lonely widower.

I can't believe I said that.

Mr. President, that was an incredibly
thoughtless remark.

I would never dream of insulting you
or the memory of your wife.

That's okay. Forget it.
What time is it?

It's 3:30, sir.

I'm gonna go up and say hi to Lucy.

Uh, you have the attorney general at 4:00
and the trade rep at 4:30.

Somewhere in there you promised NPR
five minutes.

Mr. President?

Robin, don't worry about it.

(TROMBONE PLAYING)

Well, don't stop. It sounds great.
What is it?

Scales.

Well, you're playing with gusto.

- Are my lips swollen?
- Are they supposed to be?

- Yeah.
- Well, you're doin' just fine.

- What ya got behind your back?
- I have a little surprise for you.

- Is it a dirt bike?
-(CHUCKLES) No.

Hmm.

Is it a really old
seventh grade textbook of yours

that you're gonna make me read
cover to cover

and discuss at dinner
and drive me crazy with?

Well, I'm not comfortable
with the "really old" part,

-but everything else you said was true.
- Mmm...

"Understanding the Constitution."

I hear your Social Studies teacher said

your class is going to begin
studying the Constitution this week.

Wait a minute, you talked to Mr. Linder?

Yes. It's called a parent-teacher conference.

Mr. Linder and I were the key players
in the discussion.

So why don't you like Social Studies, Luce?

- I like it fine, Dad.
- Oh, come on.

All your other teachers say you're happy,
you're enthusiastic.

You always raise your hand.

Mr. Linder says you never participate
unless he calls on you,

and even then it's a one-word answer.

I don't know, Dad.
I guess I'm just not... (SIGHS)

I don't know.

Luce, take a look at this book.

This is exciting stuff.
It's about who we are and what we want.

Read what it says on the first page.

"Property of Gilmore Junior High."

The next page, Luce.

"We the people of the United States,
in order to form a more perfect union..."

Now you see what I mean? It grabs
you right off the bat. This is a page-turner.

- I can't wait.
- Well, good.

Because it's possible this subject
may come up at dinner tonight.

Do you see it as part of your job
to torture me?

No, just one of the perks.
See you tonight, honey.

Yeah.

(TROMBONE PLAYING)

The C-STAD hardware's
been in place for a month.

We have 22 instructors
from the Army Air Defense School

waiting to go down and train the Israelis.

- How soon can you deploy them?
- We can airlift them in the morning.

They'll have C-STAD operational in 20 days.

Any security concerns?

If anybody wanted to hit it,
they'd have hit it by now.

Okay, let's move on it.
Thank you, gentlemen.

- Thank you, Mr. President.
- Good night, John.

- Thank you.
- Good night, sir.

- Good seeing you.
- You too.

- Good night.
- Good night.

Have a good evening, Mrs. Chapil.
Janie, I'll see you tomorrow morning.

- You will, Mr. President.
- Good night, Janie. Good night, Mrs. Chapil.

- Mr. President, sir.
- Thank you. Phew!

Leo Solomon brought in
a hired gun at the GDC.

Well, it's about time.

She's a lawyer from Virginia.
Her name is Sydney Ellen Wade.

I know her pretty well. She's had a lot
of success getting congressmen elected.

- Maybe we should try to steal her.
-(BOTH CHUCKLING)

10%, AJ Don't let them leave the room
until they're clear about that.

Yes, sir.

You know, if you've got a free second,
maybe you could stop in and say hello.

- It might smooth the way.
- Why don't you mention it to Janie tomorrow?

- Good deal.
- And let's clear this off the table

and get focused on the crime bill.

I don't want to just win this one.
I want to win it by a couple of touchdowns.

We will, Mr. President.

- AJ?
- Sir.

Robin said something to me today,
and I know she wouldn't have said it if...

I mean, she wasn't saying it to me, I realize.

Forget it. I'll see you in the morning.

- Good night, Mr. President.
- AJ?

- Yes, sir?
- When we're out of the office,

and alone, you can call me Andy.

I beg your pardon?

You were the best man at my wedding,
for crying out loud.

- Call me Andy.
- Whatever you say, Mr. President.

- Good night, sir.
- Good night, AJ

- Hi, I'm Sydney Ellen Wade.
- He just needs your driver's license.

- I'm from Virginia.
- He doesn't care.

I'm here for a meeting with Mr. MacInerney.

- He doesn't need to know that.
-(CHUCKLES)

Forgive me. This is my first time
at the White House.

I'm trying to savor the "Capra-esque" quality.

(SCOFFS) He doesn't know what
"Capra-esque" means.

Yeah, I do. Frank Capra,
great American director.

It's a Wonderful Life,
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.

Sydney Ellen Wade of Virginia,
knock 'em dead.

Thanks.

...start subsidizing private schools is the day
that we give up on public education.

I know the proposal only scratches
the surface, but it's the least we can do.

We'll let Harold take a look at this.
We'll revisit it early next week.

Jerry, say hello to Linda for me,

and if I don't see you before Thanksgiving,
have a good holiday.

Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you.

So how are we doing?

You're running four minutes
ahead of schedule.

- Ahead?
- Yes, sir.

Gee, that's unprecedented.
I don't know what to do with myself.

- Mr. MacInerney asked me to remind you...
- Oh, right, the GDC meeting. Yeah.

Rest assured, your concerns
are not falling on deaf ears.

The environmental lobby
has known no greater ally

in the White House than President Shepherd.

Hardly an impressive distinction, AJ

Sydney, we should leave Mr. MacInerney
alone now. He's already given us more time...

Susan, Mr. MacInerney doesn't
want us to leave him alone

because Mr. MacInerney has not yet done
what he needs to do today.

Sir, uh, Ms. Wade's been thrown
into the deep end of the pool on her first day.

She hasn't even had a chance to read
the report of the Quebec Conference.

You're right. I haven't read it.

If someone were to ask me yesterday,
I'd have told them that the Quebec Conference

was made up of six
professional hockey teams.

(ALL CHUCKLING)

But what I do know is that it's time
for the President to run for President again.

Leon Kodak is as good as it gets
when it comes to electoral strategy

and I'm sure he's told the President
exactly what I'd tell him.

You gotta nail down Michigan and California

where they make cars and airplanes
and they burn plenty of fossil fuels,

but if I'd read these 800 pages,
I would have discovered

that it's burning of fossil fuels, which is
mostly responsible for global warming,

and that the 20% reduction recommended
by the GDC is a necessary first step

toward arresting the catastrophic
greenhouse effect

which has gone unchecked
by this administration.

- SUSAN: It's really time for us...
- Susan, I promise you

the White House Chief of Staff will not let us
leave here until he's broken the bad news.

I'm afraid Sydney's right,
although not about Michigan and California.

The President has asked me to convey to you
that he's sending his energy bill to the floor

with a call for a 10% reduction.

Now the President is willing to go it alone
on this, but he's asking for,

and frankly, he's expecting
the full support of the GDC

- The President's expecting our full support?
- Yes, he is.

- The President's dreaming, AJ
- Sydney!

The President has critically misjudged reality.

If he honestly thinks that the environmental
community is going to whistle a happy tune

while rallying support around this pitifully
lame mockery of environmental leadership

just because he's a nice guy and
he's done better than his predecessors,

then your boss is the Chief Executive
of Fantasyland.

Let's take him out back
and beat the shit out of him.

Good morning, Mr. President.
How are you today?

Couldn't be better.
My apologies for the interruption.

AJ suggested I come by and say hello.

You wouldn't be Sydney Ellen Wade
by any chance, would you?

Mr. President, I'm... Um...

I don't know what to say.
I am speechless.

All evidence to the contrary.

Mr. President, we haven't met.
I'm Susan Sloan.

I used to work with Congressman Myers.

And I hope that this incident in no way
jeopardizes the good relationship...

- Sydney.
- Yes, sir?

Do you have a second?

Uh, of course.

I thought maybe we might talk in private
someplace less intimidating.

- Janie?
- Yes, sir?

This is Janie Basdin, my personal aide.

Janie, would you show Ms. Wade
to the rec room, please?

This way.

I'll be with you in a second.

- Sorry to keep you waiting.
- Mr. President, I...

Is it all right if I call you "Sydney"?

- Of course. Mr. President...
- Have you ever been in the Oval Office?

Uh, I've just been on the regular tour.
It didn't include...

I hear it's pretty good.

Mr. President, what you saw in there
was nothing more than vanity run amuck.

I was showing off for a colleague
who doesn't think very much of me.

It would be a real injustice for you to hold
the GDC accountable for my behavior today.

On top of which, I am monumentally sorry
for having insulted you like that.

Are you under the impression
that I'm mad at you?

Well, I...

Sydney, seldom does a day go by
when I'm not burned in effigy.

Not by a professional political operative
standing 30 feet from the Oval Office!

- I'll grant you that.
- Mr. President...

Did you know the city planners when
they sat down to design Washington D.C.,

their intention was to build a city that would
intimidate humble foreign heads of state?

- It's true.
- I didn't know that.

The White House is the single greatest
home-court advantage in the modern world.

I learned that one the hard way.

Sydney, this bill is important to me.

Yes, sir.
I'll convey your message.

- But you don't believe me.
- The GDC is asking for 20%, sir.

It's not gonna pass at 20%.
It's a long shot at 10.

How do you know that until you put
the full weight of the White House behind it?

Sydney, at 20%,
we're 34 votes shy in the House.

It can't be done.

But I'll tell you what.

I'll make you a deal.

If you can get 24 votes,
I'll get you the last 10.

Twenty-four votes?

If you can swing 24 votes
by the State of the Union,

I will promise you
full White House support.

Do I have your word on that, sir?

Absolutely.

Listen, um, are you hungry?

I skipped breakfast.
You want to have a donut?

Coffee or something?

Sir, I'm a little intimidated
by my surroundings,

and yes, I have gotten off to a rocky
and a somewhat stilted beginning,

but don't let that diminish
the weight of my message.

The GDC has been at every president
for the last decade and a half.

That global warming is a calamity,

the effects of which will be second
only to nuclear war.

The best scientists in the world have given
you every reason to take the GDC seriously,

but I'm gonna give you one more.

If you don't live up
to the deal you just made,

come New Hampshire,
we're gonna go shopping for a new candidate.

You can't do that, Sydney.

With all due respect, Mr. President,
who's going to stop me?

Well, if you go through that door,
the United States Secret Service.

That's my private office.

Ah.

You have to go out that door over there.

McSorley, McClusky and Shane know that
we're making our move on the crime bill.

They're circling the wagons
on the assault weapons.

- Should I meet with them?
- Oh, let Lewis take a pass at them first.

Fine. Two-ball in the side.

- Nice shot, Mr. President.
-"Nice shot, Mr. President"?

You won't even call me by my name
when we're playing pool?

I will not do it playing pool.
I will not do it in a school.

I do not like green eggs and ham.
I do not like them, Sam I am.

At ease, AJ! At ease!

- Would you get away from the pocket?
- I beg your pardon, sir.

Nine-ball in the corner.

Leo Solomon phoned.

He said he was thrilled with the deal
you made this morning.

- I forgot to tell you.
- It's a waste of time.

But it's not our time!
GDC makes a big push to get the votes.

When they come up short,
we move in with a softer bill.

Get it passed.
We're everybody's hero.

- Three-ball in the side.
- Also, Sydney Wade called.

Sydney Wade?

She wanted to apologize
one more time for her behavior.

Excuse me, sir.

(CLEARS THROAT)

Three in the side.

- Did she say anything about me?
- Ms. Wade?

- When she called.
- Did she say anything about you?

Well, no. It's just that we had
a nice couple of minutes together.

She threatened me.
I patronized her.

We didn't have anything to eat,

-but I thought there was a connection.
- Mmm-hmm.

- Excuse me, sir.
- Sure.

Thirteen in the corner.

She didn't say anything about me?

Well, no, sir, but I could pass her
a note before study hall.

Well, tell me this. Hypothetically...

I feel a nightmare coming on.

What would happen if I called Sydney Wade
and asked her to be my date

at the State Dinner on Thursday evening?

- You're not serious?
- Don't I sound serious?

The President can't just go out on a date.

Well, why not?
Jefferson did. Wilson did.

Wilson was widowed during his first term.
He met a woman named Edith Galt.

He dated her, courted her and married her.

And somewhere in there he managed
to form the League of Nations.

Uh, Mr. President, this is an election year.

If you're looking for female companionship,

we can make certain arrangements
that'll insure total privacy.

I don't want you to get me a girl, AJ!
I mean, what is this, Vegas?

No, sir, this is the White House.

And I'm talking about something that is,
in no way, conflict with my oath of office.

I'm a single adult. I met a woman
who I'd like to see again socially.

Now how is that different
from what Wilson did?

The difference is he didn't
have to be President on television.

You said it yourself a million times.

"If there had been a TV
in every living room 60 years ago,

"this country does not elect
a man in a wheelchair."

So what are you saying?

I'm saying we'll take a hit.

- How big?
- I don't know. Five points, maybe more.

Five points, we're sitting here
talking about five points?

It could be more.

I drop five points when Wisconsin
doesn't make it to the Rose Bowl.

Five-ball in the corner.

Do you want me to have Kodak
put together some numbers,

so we know what we're talking about?

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

No! No, no! I don't want
to check a polling sample

to see if it's okay like I'm asking permission
to stay out an hour past curfew.

This is not the business
of the American people.

With all due respect, sir,
the American people have a funny way

of deciding on their own
what is and what is not their business.

I like her, AJ

Stop being my chief of staff for one minute.

Give her a call.

Janie!

She didn't say anything about me?

Uh, she did say you were taller
than she thought you'd be.

- Well, that's something.
-(BOTH CHUCKLE)

Yes, sir?

Janie, I need you to track down
a phone number for me.

SYDNEY: Richard, Richard...

It wasn't funny.

I acted like a college freshman
at a protest rally.

Tell him the part about
walking out the wrong door.

Oh, God, I forgot about that.

No, Richard, no. No, I don't want
to hear your Andrew Shepherd imitation.

- I want to hear it.
- I'm hanging up now, Richard.

Uh, tonight I was gonna go to bed early
and wake up when there's a new president.

The President must think
I'm a third-rate jerk.

No, if he thinks you're a jerk,
I'm sure he thinks you're a first-rate jerk.

I tell you one thing, boy. I regrouped.

You gotta give me that.
I pulled it together at the end.

I stood in the middle of the Oval Office
and I made it absolutely clear

that from now on he who doesn't take
the GDC seriously, does so at his peril.

And then you walked out the wrong door.

Are you gonna be throwing that
back at me the rest of my life?

That's my current plan. Yes.

(PHONE RINGING)

Ah, that's gonna be Leo Solomon.
He said he'd call at 9:00.

- Hello?
- ANDREW: Yeah, hi. Is this Sydney?

- Leo?
- No, this is Andrew Shepherd.

- Oh, it's Andrew Shepherd.
- Oh.

Yeah, you're hilarious, Richard.

You're just a regular riot.

No, this isn't Richard.
This is Andrew Shepherd.

Oh, well, I'm so glad you called

because I forgot to tell you today
what a nice ass you have.

I'm also impressed that you were
able to get my phone number

given the fact that I don't have a phone.

- Good night, Richard.
- This isn't Richard...

(DIAL TONE)

(SIGHS) This used to be easier.

(PHONE RINGING)

- I don't believe this.
- Do you want me to deal with him?

No way. I may choke in front of Shepherd.
Richard Reynolds I can handle.

Hello?

- Sydney?
- Are you learning impaired?

Listen, do me a favor.
Hang up the phone.

- What?
- Hang up the phone, then dial 456-1414.

When you get the White House operator,

give her your name and tell her
you want to speak to the President.

Oh, my God. This isn't happening to me.

What's going on?

No, it's not possible
I did this twice in one day.

(SIGHS)

WOMAN: Good evening,
the White House.

- Hello?
- Hi.

My name's Sydney Ellen Wade. I'd like to...

The President's expecting your call, ma'am.
I'll put you right through.

(PHONE BEEPS)

(LINE RINGING)

- ANDREW: Hello?
- Mr. President.

Um...

I'm sure there's an appropriate
thing to say at this moment, uh...

Probably some formal apology
for the nice ass remark would be in order.

I just... I don't quite know how to word it.

Nah, it's my fault.
I shouldn't have called you at home.

- Should I call you at the office tomorrow?
- No, no, of course not.

I mean, yes.
You can call me anytime you want.

This is fine. Right now is fine.
When I said, "Of course not," I meant...

You know what? The hell with it.
I'm moving to another country.

What did you mean when you said
that you didn't have a phone?

Oh, I just moved to Washington
over the weekend,

and my apartment isn't ready yet.

This is my sister's apartment.

Come to think of it,
how did you get this number?

How did I get the number?
That's a good question.

Um... I don't know. Probably the FBI.

Oh, the FBI? Sure!

'Cause if you want to find someone and
you're the President, that's who you'd call.

- You know who else is good at that?
- Uh, CIA?

Well, yeah, but I was thinking
of the Internal Revenue Service.

You know,
they have these computer files that, uh...

Well... (CLEARS THROAT)
I should stop stalling.

Um... As you probably know, the French
have elected themselves a new president.

We're having a formal state dinner
at the White House,

and I was wondering,
and you're under no obligation law,

but I thought it might be fun,

and I was wondering
if maybe you wanted to go with me.

And, um...

That's it. That's why I was calling.

Sydney?

- Sydney, Congress doesn't take this long.
- Mr. President.

(SCOFFS)

You have asked me to join you
in representing our country.

I'm honored. I'm equal to the task.
I won't let you down, sir.

Sydney, this is just dinner. We're not
gonna be doing espionage or anything.

No, of course. (CHUCKLES)

I'm a little, um...

Uh...

What do I do? (LAUGHS NERVOUSLY)

I mean, you know, where do I go?
Will you... Will you meet me?

Should I...

I'm gonna have a very nice woman
named Marsha Bridgeport call you,

and she's the White House Social Secretary,

and she's gonna help you
with anything that you want.

Now, when she calls you
and tells you her name is Marsha Bridgeport,

it'll help if you give her
the benefit of the doubt.

-(LAUGHS NERVOUSLY) Of course.
- I'll see you Thursday night.

Mr. President, thanks for asking me, really.

This is a first for me.

Me, too.

LEON: Okay, who's on Indiana?

Excuse me, new people.
I can't remember your names.

Could you raise your hands
if you're on Indiana, please?

No, put your hands down.
You're on Illinois.

- We got Jarrett.
- What?

George Jarrett.
He's ours. Solid yes.

I don't believe it. You, new guy.

Jarrett, Democrat, Minnesota.
Slide his name on over to yes.

We just had his name
laminated to "undecided."

How'd you get the fence
poll out of his butt?

I wish I could take credit for it.

He says,
"Lewis, I support the President 100%."

Not the bill, the President.

We're gonna win this in a walk. You know,
it's like a kissing booth at a carnival.

Give us a vote,
get a photo op with number 63.

We should've gone after the handguns.

I know, we gotta do one thing at a time.

We don't have time to do
one thing at a time.

-(PHONE RINGING)
- Yeah, hi. It's David in Sydney Wade's office.

Yeah, I'll hold.

Carol, it's David in Sydney Wade's office.

I want to confirm her lunch
with the congressman.

We could do with a little
party leadership, Mike.

I mean, is the majority whip taking a break?

Congress is in session, right?
I'm not wrong about that?

I just got off with Luther Simons.
Brook's on board.

MAN: Terrific.

SYDNEY: All right.
Well, have him get back to me.

You okay, Syd?

Sure. Why?

I don't know.
You seem a little tense.

What do you mean?

(SIGHS)

What do you have?
Big date tonight?

(ALL TALKING INDISTINCTLY)

Senator? Senator Rumson,
if I can have a moment with you, sir?

Certainly.

I'm standing here with
Senate Minority Leader Robert Rumson,

just one of the many guests arriving at what,
for the next few hours at least,

will be a non-partisan White House.

Senator, the latest public opinion
surveys show the President

with approval ratings that would make him
all but unbeatable come next November.

Is there a Republican
who can mount a serious challenge,

and are you that candidate?

Well, Lloyd, it's a long time
till next November.

Right now, I'm just looking forward
to a pleasant evening.

Thank you, Senator.

That's... That's a little tight, Luce.

It's supposed to be tight.
It's supposed to make you look regal.

Is it supposed to cutoff
the blood flow to my face?

All done.

Well, that's not bad.

- Where'd you learn how to do that?
- Social Studies.

Very funny. No, really,
where'd you learn that?

I don't know. I just...
I guess I picked it up somewhere.

Sweetie, did Mom teach you how to do that?

Yeah.

Lucy, is this okay?
My having dinner with a lady?

- Dad, it's totally okay.
- You sure?

Because if there's anything
you want to talk about...

Dad, it's cool. Just go for it. (CHUCKLES)

Okay.

(SIGHS) You know, I'm a little nervous.

You'll be fine. Just be yourself.

Be myself, huh?

Yeah, and, um, compliment her shoes.

Her shoes?

Yeah. Girls like that.

Okay. Thanks.

-(EXHALES) Thank you.
- Ms. Wade?

- Oh, hi.
- Good evening.

The President would like you
to join him upstairs in the residence.

- May I show you the way?
- Of course.

(INSTRUMENTAL CLASSICAL
MUSIC PLAYING)

(PEOPLE LAUGHING)

Sydney! Come on in. You look beautiful.

Thanks. I have no idea what I'm doing here.

I promise you, there's no hidden agenda.
This is my wife Esther.

Oh, sure. It's nice to see you.

Sydney, Andrew Shepherd.
We spoke on the phone.

Yes, sir. I remember.

Excuse me one minute.

The President told me
how you two met, Sydney.

- I think it's priceless.
-(CHUCKLES) I don't know what happened.

One minute, I was calling him
a mockery of an environmental leader.

- The next minute, I had a date.
- Men like being insulted by women.

It makes them feel loved. Don't ask me why.

Mr. President,
would you allow me to introduce to you

Sydney Ellen Wade
of the Commonwealth of Virginia?

Sydney, this is President Rene Jean D'Astier

and his wife
Monique Danielle D'Astier of France.

A great pleasure to meet you.

- Oh, it's an honor to meet you both.
- I'm so pleased to meet you.

Ahem, Mr. President, I'm sorry to interrupt.
The receiving line is in place.

Sydney, I think our table's ready.

When we get to the bottom of the stairs,

I've got to do a thing,
but you'll be escorted to...

- They took me through it.
- Oh, good.

Do you do this often, sir?

Well, this is actually
only our second state dinner.

The first one was for the Emperor of Japan,

who died shortly after, so we stopped
having them for a while, just in case.

No, I meant, do you go out on...
Do you often...

- Do I date a lot?
- Yeah.

No. How about you?

Me? Well, lately I seem to be
going on a lot of first dates.

- Then you're experienced at this.
- Oh, yeah. Yeah, you can ask me anything.

- Well, how are we doing so far?
- It's hard to say at this point.

So far, it's just your typical first-date stuff.

Damn. And I wanted to be different
from the other guys.

MAN: Ladies and gentlemen,
the President of the United States...

Oh, by the way, nice shoes.

MAN: ...accompanied by the President
of France and Madame D'Astier.

(FAN FARE)

Mr. President, the President
and Mrs. D'Astier look bored.

They're not talking to anybody.

- They're hammered.
-(LAUGHS)

- Esther, do you speak French?
- Latin.

- I thought you spoke French.
- No, Latin.

Great, next time Julius Caesar
comes to town, you're our gal.

(ALL LAUGHING)

Sydney, I don't suppose...

(SPEAKING FRENCH)

That's my date.

(SPEAKING FRENCH)

- Really?
-(ANSWERS IN FRENCH)

Sydney, you didn't dissolve
our trade agreements, did you?

No, I just said we're sitting
in this beautiful room,

listening to the music
of this wonderful orchestra,

and I wondered why nobody was dancing.

And I informed Ms. Wade that in my country,

a guest at the palace
of Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette

would soon find their head in a guillotine

if they made the impertinent gesture
of dancing

without so much as a by-your-leave
from the king and the queen.

(LAUGHS)

I'll bet no one accused Louis
of being soft on crime.

(ALL LAUGH)

- There's a lesson there, Mr. President.
- More beheadings at the White House.

- Bob Rumson would embrace it.
-(ALL LAUGH)

Yes, I'm sure he would.

I have a better idea.

Would you like to dance?

Uh...

Yeah, I guess.

I mean, yes, sir, I'd love to.

(ALL SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY)

(EXHALES)

I don't know how you do it.

- It's Arthur Murray, six lessons.
-(LAUGHS)

That's not what I mean.

Two hundred pairs of eyes are focused
on you right now with two questions...

Who's this girl?
And why is the President dancing with her?

Well, first of all,
the 200 pairs of eyes are not focused on me.

They're focused on you.

And the answers are, Sydney Ellen Wade,

because she said yes.

(SIGHS)

MAN: Does this setup work for you?

- Good morning, Mrs. Chapil.
- Good morning, Mr. President.

Mr. Rothschild and Ms. McCall
are in the office, sir.

They said they need to speak with you
before scheduling.

Fine. Janie, can you get me
the number of a local florist?

I'll take care of it, sir.
Where do you want them sent?

No, I want to do it myself.
I just need the number.

I don't understand.

I want the phone number of a florist.

You just want the phone number?

Yeah.

I don't understand, sir.
Is there a problem...

Janie, I want to send some flowers.

I want to do it myself.
I don't want to staff it out.

I don't want to issue an executive order.
I just want a phone number.

I'll get it for you right away, sir.

- Good morning.
- ROBIN: Good morning.

Mr. President, we need five minutes
of your time...

I'll be with you in two minutes.
I just need to make a call.

Thank you, Janie.

Who are we calling, sir?

I'm calling the Organization
of the United Brotherhood

of It's-None-of-Your-Damn-Business, Lewis.

- I'll be with you in a second.
- Yes, sir.

(EXHALES)

Yeah, hi. Good morning.
How do I get an outside line?

(LINE RINGING)

That was simple.

- Janie.
- Yes?

What's the President doing?

I'm sorry. I'm really not at liberty to say.

Yes, hi. Good morning.
Is this Carmen's House of Flowers?

Good. I'd like to order some flowers, please.

Well, tell me,
what is the state flower of Virginia?

Does this have something
to do with Sydney Wade?

I'm really not at liberty to say.

Well, is there anybody there who might know?

No, I'm not trying to be difficult.

Hang on, please.

PRESIDENT: (ON PHONE SPEAKER)
Janie, What is the state flower of Virginia?

Mrs. Chapil, state flower of Virginia?

The dogwood.
(BEEPS)

The dogwood, sir.

Thank you.

It's the dogwood.

Really?

(SIGHS) Hold on, please.

Janie, the dogwood is a tree.
It's not a flower.

Actually, it's a tree and a flower.

- Are you sure?
- Yes. What's going on?

Sir, it's a tree and a flower.

The dogwood is a tree and a flower.
I'd like a dozen, please.

Really? No dogwoods?

(SIGHS) How about, uh, roses?

Simple. Classic.
Two dozen?

Janie, I'm the President's
Senior Domestic Policy Advisor,

and it's important
I have a full understanding...

PRESIDENT: Janie, do you know
Where my credit cards are?

They're in storage in Wisconsin
with the rest of your personal items.

Right.

Uh, perhaps it would be better
if you bill me for the flowers.

I'm sure it'll be all right with your boss.

Well, I don't know
if you recognize my voice,

but this is the President.

Of the United States.

Hello? Hello?

Leo. You wanted to see me?

So there I was thinking,
maybe I should give Sydney a call.

She's new in town,
doesn't know many people.

- Leo.
- Then I picked up The Times.

Leo, it was crazy.
He called me at home.

- What's going on?
- Nothing.

It was innocent.
His cousin got the flu at the last minute.

- Did you sleep with him?
- Leo.

- Did you sleep with him?
- That's none of your business, Leo.

Yeah, it is, Sydney.

Well, you wanna tell me
how my personal life is...

Because when it's the President,
it's not personal.

I hired your reputation, Sydney.
I hired a pit bull, not a prom queen.

- That's unfair.
- It's incredibly unfair!

But you've spent a lot of
time over the years

telling me the trouble
with the environmental lobby

is that we don't understand
the fundamental truth,

that politics is perception.

This is a bad time to develop ignorance.

- You're making way too much of this.
- Am I?

This is your time, Sydney.

You're sitting at the grown-ups' table.

You have a chance to get
everything you want,

run a national campaign,
be a major player inside the party.

But this relationship had better go all the way

because with the leader of the free world,
there's no halfway.

Politics is perception.

And if this doesn't work out,

the amount of time it'll take you
to go from being a hired gun

to a cocktail party joke
can be clocked with an egg timer.

Leo, there's no relationship.
It was one night. It's done.

Mr. Solomon, this was just delivered
by a White House messenger.

It's marked "perishable."

The White House has sent me
something perishable?

- It's for Ms. Wade.
- Oh, well, here we go.

Relax, Leo. I'm sure it's just a formality.

- It's from him.
- Of course it's from him.

So he had some staff flunky
send me a fruit basket.

- Well, he wrote the note himself.
- I'm sure he didn't take the time to...

The messenger said he waited
in the Oval Office for 10 minutes

while the President wrote the card.

Okay, listen...

It took him 10 minutes to write the card?

Apparently, he went through several drafts.

(INAUDIBLE)

(LAUGHS)

(LAUGHS)

- What is it?
- A ham.

(LAUGHING)

He sent me a Virginia ham!

Dig it, Ms. Wade.
You're the President's girlfriend.

There's never an egg timer
around when you need one.

(SIGHS)

Thanks.

Sir, they're going to be pressing today
about whether the White House

is prepared to soften
the assault weapon section the crime bill.

There's no need to entertain
that at this point.

How do you want me to handle
the Sydney issue?

"The Sydney issue?"

Well, we should have a consensus on how
the White House is gonna handle it.

Well, I certainly hope this Sydney issue
refers in some way

to a problem that we're having with Australia.

- Because if it's anything other than that...
- Mr. President.

Ms. Wade is here to see you.

Have her come in, please.
I am finished here.

- JANIE: Yes, sir.
- There is no Sydney issue.

LEWIS: Good morning.

Oh, hi. Hi. Hi.

Uh, thanks for seeing me
on such short notice.

No problem. Did you get the ham?

(LAUGHS) Yes, I got the ham.

I wanted to send you some flowers, but there
appear to be some kinks in the system.

Oh, uh...

I'm so glad you stopped by.
I had such a good time last night.

So did I. Um, it's just that I...

JANIE: You have 45 seconds.

I have to deliver a luncheon speech at
the Governors' Conference today. I'm sorry...

- Oh, no, no, no, of course.
- Are you free for dinner tomorrow evening?

- Dinner?
- Casual, at the residence,

without the United Nations.

My daughter will be there,
so it may seem like the United Nations.

- I'd love to meet Lucy, but...
- I'm sure she'd love to meet you.

- Excuse me, Jeff...
- Actually, I have some concerns...

- JEFF: Yes, sir?
- I can't do this.

- Which? Robbins or Stackhouse?
- Either one. I have to be in and out.

Sir, Governor Stackhouse
said he just needed 10 minutes.

I think he wants to talk about
the assault weapons.

Stackhouse wants to talk
about grazing rights, trust me.

- Got it.
- I'm sorry. You... You have concerns?

Yes. Uh, not many. A few.

One. I have one concern.

This wouldn't have to do with
the fact that one of us is President?

(BOTH LAUGH)

You know, you like to make jokes about this.

I am not mocking you, honest.

I'm just a guy asking
a girl over for a meal.

- What... What's that?
- That's my ride.

Oh.

Um...

Leo Solomon has some serious concerns

about me exploring a social, you know...

...scenario with the President
of the United States.

When you put it that way,
it doesn't sound that good to me either.

Have dinner with Lucy and me.
It's meat loaf night.

- I mean, how presidential can that be?
- Oh, well...

7:30?

Hmm...

Mmm-hmm.

- Hi. Are you Ms. Wade?
- Uh, Sydney.

- Hi. Lucy Shepherd. Nice to meet you.
- Hi. Nice to meet you.

Um, my dad told me to tell you that
he's on the phone with his dentist,

and that I should behave myself
and entertain you until he gets back.

Oh. Your father's on the phone
with his dentist?

No, he told me to tell you that
he's on the phone with his dentist.

He wants you to think he's a regular guy.

Oh. Well, who's he on the phone with?

The Prime Minister of Israel.

Oh. They're probably
not discussing his teeth.

- I hope not.
-(BOTH LAUGH)

No, you know, they're discussing
an abbreviation I can never remember.

- Mmm, C-STAD?
- Yeah.

- Capricorn Surface-To-Air Defense?
- Right.

Okay, let meat loaf night begin.

- Hi.
- Hi. How's everything with your teeth?

- My teeth?
- The dentist.

Oh, right, right. Yeah, I got a cavity
in my upper bicuspid region.

You have a short-range
weapons system outside Tel Aviv.

- I think somebody told on me.
- Well, I... Dad! Stop!

(ALL CHATTERING)

You're over thinking this.

Voters aren't interested
in how to achieve economic growth.

They don't want to hear our plans
to strengthen foreign policy.

- So it comes down to character.
- The press like him, Senator.

- The networks, the newspapers.
- Reporters like him.

Networks and newspapers
like ratings and circulation.

For all the bitching we do
about liberal bias in the press,

when it comes to a good character debate...

The press is an unwitting accomplice.

Bob, the character debate didn't work for us.

Because it couldn't.

Our polling told us that attacking
his character less than a year

after he'd lost his wife
was going to be a turnoff,

it was gonna make people feel sorry for him.

We couldn't run the campaign we wanted
because the opponent was a widower.

But he's still a widower, Bob.
Time's passed, but...

(ALL LAUGH)

You'll have to forgive my friend here.
He's been on a hunting trip.

- He's been cut off from the world.
- Why? What's going on?

The President's got a girlfriend.

Your dad says you're studying
the Constitutional Convention.

- She's not having any fun, though.
- Dad!

- You're not having any fun?
- This is a nightmare.

- This is a Social Studies nightmare.
- Well, they're doing a mock congress.

Each kid plays the role
of one of the original delegates,

and they debate the amendments.

- Now, what's not fun about that?
- Good night, Dad.

Good night, sweetheart.

- It was nice meeting you, Sydney.
- Thanks. It was nice to meet you.

- Good night.
- Sleep well, honey. I love you.

Love you, too, Dad.

- She's wonderful.
- She's her mother.

She's you.

Would you like the 25-cent tour?

Okay.

I thought C-STAD wasn't gonna be
operational until January.

It was ready ahead of schedule.
We've just been waiting for the personnel.

- The Israelis?
- No, our guys.

We sent a team of army instructors
to train the Israelis.

Good evening.

I think, uh...

Yeah, this is the Dish Room.

(SYDNEY LAUGHS)

- It's not the Dish Room.
- Yeah it is. It's the room with all the dishes.

- It's the China Room.
- Well, I'm more of a West Wing president.

If you're curious about the mansion,

I'm sure there's probably
a book that you can get.

There are about 7,000.
(CHUCKLES) I'll get one for you.

Sydney.

Mr. President, have you ever noticed
how similar the Van Buren flatware is

to the Buchanan flatware?

Do you think there'll ever be a time
when you can stand in a room with me

and not think of me as the President?

This isn't a state of mind.
You are the President.

And when I'm in a room with you,
oval or any other shape,

I'm always gonna be a lobbyist and
you're always gonna be the President.

I have news for you, Sydney.

As a lobbyist,

you'd never be alone
in a room with the President.

Do you think this is a good idea?

Probably not.

AGENT: Mr. President.

We have a secure call from the sit room.

Excuse me.

- I'm... I'm sorry, ma'am.
- Oh, no. Of course not.

I'm sorry,
we're gonna have to cut our evening short.

The Libyans have just bombed C-STAD.

I'll try to call you in the morning.
Would you please show Ms. Wade out?

MAN: The response scenario's in place.

The F-18 are fired up
on the Nimitz and the Kitty Hawk.

They're just waiting for your attack order,
Mr. President.

And we're gonna hit
Libyan Intelligence Headquarters?

The NSA confirmed they're the ones
who planned the bombing.

- And what's the estimate?
- We'll level the building.

Well, the Libyan I.H.Q. looks like
it's in the center of downtown Tripoli.

What else are we gonna hit?

Nothing, unless we miss.

- Are we gonna miss?
- No, sir.

How many people
are working in the building?

We've been all through this.

How many people are working
in the damn building?

I have the numbers here, Mr. President.
There are three shifts of...

The fewest?
What shift has the fewest people?

The night shift, right?

By far, sir. Mostly custodial staff.

What time does the night shift start?

They're on now, sir.

(SIGHS)

AJ?

Sir, it's immediate,
it's decisive, it's low risk,

and it's a proportional response.

Someday someone's gonna have to explain
to me the virtue of a proportional response.

Mr. President?

Attack.

Robin, as soon as our planes have cleared
Libyan airspace, you can call the press,

but I don't know what time
we'll have the full B.D.A.

- Oh, General Rork says around 0800.
- 0800.

Sir, what do you think
about a national address?

Last thing I want to do
is put the Libyans center stage.

LEON: Uh, I think it's a great idea, sir.

I mean, you know Rumson's gonna be talking
about your lack of military service.

It's not about Rumson.

What I did tonight
was not about political gain.

Yes, but it can be, sir.
What you did tonight was very presidential.

Leon, somewhere in Libya right now,

a janitor is working the night shift
at the Libyan Intelligence Headquarters.

He's going about doing his job

'cause he has no idea in about an hour
he's gonna die in a massive explosion.

He's just going about his job 'cause
he has no idea that about an hour ago,

I gave an order to have him killed.

You've just seen me
do the least presidential thing I do.

(REPORTERS SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY)

Mary.

Is there anything at all
about the C-STAD weapons system

that could have been mistaken
by Libyan Intelligence

as offensive rather than defensive?

No, we did everything
but show them the blueprints.

The hardware had been sitting
in an airplane hangar for more than a month.

They didn't hit it until
the American personnel arrived. Leslie?

Sir, there's an unconfirmed report

that you were with Sydney Wade
when you learned of the attack.

- Can you comment?
- Yes, we had just finished dinner.

-(WHISPERS) Get him off.
- Last question.

Sir? Sir, would you care to comment
on the status of your relationship?

We don't have a relationship.
We just had dinner. Thank you.

Could you tell us if she spent the night
at the White House?

Folks, a lot of people were killed last night.

Let's try to keep our eye on the ball, okay?
Thank you.

(ALL CLAMORING)

That was my fault, sir.
We should have prepped you for that.

- It's nothing that needs prepping. AJ?
- Yes, sir.

Let's meet with the leadership
after we meet with the Security Council.

All right.

Newsweek is begging for 10 minutes today.
Any 10 minutes that you got.

Nobody gets 10 minutes today.

Lewis, tell the speaker to wait.
I want to talk to him.

No, I'll be right down.

RUMSON: (ON TV) Last night,
the cost of those liberal programs

was raised to include the blood
of 22 American soldiers.

Now, Mr. Shepherd's read a lot of books,

but it doesn't take a Harvard degree
to see this one coming a mile down the road.

I went to Stanford, you blowhole.

...Commander-in-Chief
has never served one day in uniform...

(SWITCHES OFF TV)

WOMAN: This box just says "miscellaneous."

Is it bedroom miscellaneous
or kitchen miscellaneous?

Sydney?

Why did I have to kiss him?

- You kissed him?
- Yeah.

- You didn't tell me that.
- I kissed him.

- Where?
- On the mouth.

- Where in the White House?
- In the dish room.

- The dish room?
- The China Room.

And then what happened?

He had to go and attack Libya.

- It's always something.
- Yeah.

I gotta nip this in the bud.
This has catastrophe written all over it.

In what language?

Sydney,
the man is the leader of the free world.

He's brilliant. He's funny. He's handsome.
He's an above average dancer.

Isn't it possible our standards
are just a tad high?

(TELEPHONE RINGING)

- Answer the phone.
- It's him.

- Answer the phone.
- He's gonna ask me to come over there.

- Answer the phone!
- I don't want to go over there!

Answer the phone!

All right,
but I'm gonna end it on the phone.

Uh, I just came over to tell you
why I can't see you anymore.

Come on in. Thanks, Coop.

Uh, look, I know you've had a tough day...

Well, not as tough as some.

Would you like a drink?
Here, let me take your coat.

Mr. President, this isn't gonna work.

Well, sure it will. You button the top button,
it won't fall off the hanger...

- That's not what I mean.
- I didn't think it was.

Listen, I really enjoyed the time
we've spent together,

but this has catastrophe written on it.

Please, Mr. President,
don't pursue me outside the political arena.

Well, I have no intention of pursuing you
inside the political arena,

and that leaves everything out,
and that's unacceptable to me.

If I were on your staff, I would tell you
that the absolute worst thing you can do

coming into an election year
is to open yourself up to character attacks.

The quickest way to do that is to prance
like the playboy of the western world.

Let's clear up a couple things here.

Number 1, I seldom prance.

Number 2, I have no intention
of engaging in a character debate.

Number 3, you're not on my staff.

- Yes, of course, but if you'll follow...
- Why is that, by the way? Please.

- Why is what?
- Why aren't you on my staff?

- You can't afford me.
- How much do you make?

More than you do, Mr. President.

The name is Andy.
How much money do you make?

What the hell does it matter
how much money I make?

You raise your voice to the President?

(SIGHS) I'm only thinking
about the health of your presidency.

You know, this morning's press conference
isn't gonna be the end of this.

Bob Rumson's gotta be drooling over this.

Are you attracted to me?

I beg your pardon?

I asked if you were attracted to me.

That's not the issue.

Tell you what. Let's make it the issue.
Let's try something new.

Because I know that most couples
when they first get together are inclined

to slam on the brakes because
they're concerned about Bob Rumson's drool.

- You're not most people.
- You know what your problem is?

What's my problem?

Sex and nervousness.

- Sex and nervousness is my problem?
- Yes.

Last night when we were looking
at those place settings in the dish room,

I realized that those place settings
were provided by the first ladies.

And I'll bet none of those
first ladies were nervous

about having sex with
their president husbands.

And do you know why?

No, but I'm sure you'll explain it to me.

I will. Because they weren't Presidents
when they first met them.

That's not the case here.

Ah.

- You see what I'm getting at?
- Yes.

(SIGHS)

- May I use your bathroom for a minute?
- Go right through there, right behind you.

I just want to freshen up.

As you pass through,
you'll see a large closet on the right,

and if you feel comfortable,
hang up your coat.

When you come back,
I'll have fixed us a drink.

We'll sit on the couch,
and I will explain to you my plan.

You got a plan? Don't make me wait.
You're on a roll.

Okay. You're attracted to me,

but the idea of physical intimacy
is uncomfortable

because you only know me as the President.

But it's not always gonna be that way.

And the reason I know that
is there was a moment last night

when you were with me
and not the President.

And I know what a big step
that was for you.

So, Sydney, I'm in no rush.
Here's my plan.

We're gonna slow down,

and when you're comfortable,
that's when it's gonna happen.

Perhaps I didn't properly explain
the fundamentals of the slow-down plan.

No, you explained it great.

Are you nervous?

Good.

My nervousness exists on several levels.

Number 1, and this is in no particular order,

I haven't done this in a pretty long time.

Number 2, uh, any...

...expectations that you might have
given the fact that I'm, you know...

- The most powerful man in the world?
- Exactly. Thank you.

I think it's important you remember
that's a political distinction

that comes with the office.

I mean, if Eisenhower were here
instead of me, he'd be dead by now.

- Number 3...
- Andy.

RUMSON: Does New Hampshire
want traditional American values

back in the White House?

(ALL CHEERING)

Does New Hampshire want the pride back?

My name is Bob Rumson,
and I'm running for President.

(CHEERING CONTINUES)

(TELEPHONE RINGING)

Yeah.

Put him through.

Lewis, it is 5:00 am.
You've gotta get yourself a life, man.

Yeah?

All right.

Sydney?

Hi!

What are you doin'?

Uh... I wanted to leave the building
before the press corps got here.

I have those same thoughts
every day of my life.

(CHUCKLES)

Say, you know Lewis Rothschild, don't you?

Sure. Boy, Lewis would go nuts
if he knew I spent the night.

- Well, he's on his way up.
- What?

-(KNOCKING AT DOOR)
- Come on in, Lewis.

Good morning, Mr. President. Hi, Sydney.

Hi, Lewis. Well, Mr. President...

Uh...

Thanks for taking the time
to go over those fossil fuel numbers.

I'll just get my coat, be on my way.

- So, what's the situation?
- Camped out at every exit.

- Who? Who's camped out?
- The press.

The press is camped out?

- You should have taken a cab, Sydney.
-(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

- They know my car?
- Good morning, Mr. President.

- Good morning, Sydney.
- Hi.

- I came as soon as Lewis called.
- Oh, thank God.

I think the important thing
is not to make it look like we're panicking.

See, and I think the important thing
is actually not to be panicking.

(KNOCKING AT DOOR)

- Morning, Mr. President.
- Morning.

- Morning, Ms. Wade.
- Hello.

I see everyone's getting an early start today.

So, how do we exit Sydney from the building
and what do we say to the press at that point?

- We need a diversion.
- A diversion?

You understand, by diversion,

I'm not suggesting that
we burn down the White House.

- Oh, please, let's do.
- Can I just state very clearly,

- I can't be party to anything illegal.
- Good for you, Lewis.

Say what you want.
It's always the guy in my job

who ends up doing 18 months
in Danbury minimum-security Prison.

Rest easy, Lewis.
We're not gonna create a diversion.

No diversion.

- We're gonna have somebody take you home.
- Esther's over in my office.

- She has the station wagon standing by.
- Okay. Good. Now, press statement.

Sydney, when you leave here,

you're gonna run into
reporters and photographers.

They're gonna take your picture every day.
They're gonna ask you questions every day.

Answer them. Don't answer them.
It's entirely up to you.

The White House has no official position
except to say, "No comment."

No comment?

The White House does not comment
on the President's personal life.

We can't just leave it at that, sir.

- I'll tell you what, Lewis, we just did.
- But, sir...

Thank you very much, Mr. President.
Come, friends. Let us away.

- Thank you, Mr. President.
- ROBIN: Thank you, Mr. President.

Sydney, Esther will be in my office.

- Take your time.
- Thanks, AJ.

(DOOR CLOSES)

I'm sorry about this.

We'll do it better next time.

I'm no expert, but I thought
we did it pretty good this time.

- No, I didn't mean that, I...
- I know.

I had a good time.

Me too. I'll call you.

I'll be in Panama, but I'll call you.

I'd like that.

- Bye.
- Bye.

All right. Okay. This is good.

David, what about an incentive program?

NEWSREADER 1: Sydney Ellen Wade,
the political strategist

who accompanied President Shepherd
to last week's state dinner,

reportedly spent the night at the
White House as a guest of the President.

NEWSREADER 2: The President
returned from Panama this evening

after a three-day tour
through Central America.

His first order of business,

an intimate dinner with Sydney Wade
at a romantic Georgetown bistro.

NEWSREADER 3: Conservative and religious
family organizations

are starting to smell blood in the water,

as the polling numbers
of the President are dropping.

NEWSREADER 4: ...and Showbiz Weekly
was in Hollywood for the star-studded gala.

Also on tonight's program,
Day 15 of the Sydney watch.

Is the world's most eligible bachelor
off the market?

RADIO HOST: All right, next caller,
you're on the air.

WOMAN: Dan, What about Lucy Shepherd?
Is anyone concerned about this little girl?

Can we now, finally, have
a serious debate about family values?

Americans can no longer afford...

INTERVIEWER: Political polling analyst,
Ed Earl,

with the President's job approval
taking an eight-point dip

from his personal best
of 63% three weeks ago,

should the White House be concerned
that the girlfriend factor

has left Shepherd vulnerable
to the kinds of character questions

he was able to avoid three years ago?

ED: Well, if they're not concerned,
they sure ought to be.

INTERVIEWER: Columnist, Cynthia Skyler,
how much Will this new wrinkle

affect his ability to put together
a Win on his crime bill?

RADIO HOST: We're gonna take
a commercial break. When we come back,

we're gonna meet a junior high school
classmate of Sydney Wade's,

who has some intimate details to share.

RUMSON: Well, I agree with you 110%, Mrs. Harper.

That's why I'm up here in the dead of winter
talkin' about it with you folks.

(CHUCKLES)
That's very generous of you, ma'am.

I'll be taking that money
off your hands right now.

What do you got?

Call me Santa Claus, Senator.
She's got an FBI file.

Oh, shit, Stu!
My mother's got an FBI file.

Yeah, but I got art.

It's a demonstration outside
the Department of Commerce.

The picture's old, and some of the faces
are obscured by the fire,

but that's a burning flag,

and that's Sydney Ellen Wade
right there in front.

(SINGING)
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Harry...

No...

Harry!

Think like a father for a second.

Wouldn't you like your kids to be able
to take a deep breath when they're 30?

Thank you! You're doing the right thing.

- Tote board's heavy.
- How's this?

(ALL CHEERING)

Terrell, North Carolina.

Syd, I saw on your schedule you're gonna
meet with McSorley, McClusky and Shane?

Yeah. The Motown Three said
they'd give me 30 minutes next week.

Sydney, these are people who represent
people who make cars for a living.

- Yeah.
- Cars, you understand, run on gasoline.

Hey. I know it's a long shot,

but if I can get one of them,
it's gonna be a huge payoff in visibility.

Well, if we're gonna try, we should do
some prep work. You wanna order in?

Uh, I can't.
I'm having dinner at the White House.

So, let's start early tomorrow morning.
Say 7:30?

Okay. I'm having lunch at The Kremlin,
so we'll have to start even earlier than that.

Good night, David.

In order for me to catch
the morning plane to Moscow.

Good night, David.

Douglas, does the NRA have videotapes
of you playing golf with Satan?

We've already softened the assault weapons.

We're leaving the SKS, the Mini-14
and 250 other types on the street.

I mean, how much pull can one lobby have?

Okay. We're gonna have to
continue this conversation tomorrow.

I'm late for the party fundraiser.

And, Douglas, I'll put in a good word for you.

- You're incredibly late.
- AJ: Excuse me, Mr. President.

I just got off the phone with
the federal mediator in Saint Louis.

Management just walked away from the table.
The baggage handlers, pilots,

and flight attendants are all
gettin' set to walk out in 48 hours.

You know, I studied under
a Nobel Prize-winning economist.

You know what he taught me?

Never have an airline strike at Christmas?

I'm going to Saint Louis.

You're gonna leave straight
from the fundraiser, sir.

- Thanks, AJ.
- Good luck, Mr. President.

Liberty's moving.

- Mr. President, can we have a moment please?
- He's incredibly late.

Hop in.
We'll talk in the car.

- What is it, Lewis?
- LEWIS: We have a small problem.

ROBIN: It could've been a small problem.

Now, at the very least,
it's a medium-sized nightmare.

LEWIS: Robin sees it as a problem.
I see it as an opportunity.

ROBIN: It could've been an opportunity
if we'd caught it.

- We caught it.
- At 5:45. 5:45 doesn't do me any good, Lewis.

- 5:45, network news is in make-up.
- You have 12 people working for you.

Guys, do I have to be here for this meeting?

Sorry, sir. It's on the evening news.

- It's buried as the third story.
- It's got a bullet.

Sydney was at a protest rally.
They burned a flag.

- Today?
- LEWIS: About 13 years ago.

In front of the Department of Commerce.
Anti-apartheid.

Let me see if I got this.
The third story on the news tonight

was that someone I didn't know
13 years ago, when I wasn't President,

participated in a demonstration
where no laws were being broken

in protest of something that
so many people were against

it doesn't exist anymore?

Just out of curiosity,
what was the fourth story?

Right. See, I think it's important
when we deal with it...

- Don't deal with it.
- Excuse me?

They're trying to get us
to swing at a pitch in the dirt.

Nobody wins these fights. It'll go away.

LEWIS: Sir, I'm not sure
that's the wisest course of action.

ANDREW: AW, hell!

ROBIN: See? It's already distracting you.
Why don't you let us put together...

ANDREW: No, you reminded me I'm
supposed to have dinner with Sydney tonight.

Oh, it's terrific, Beth. I love it.

I can't believe I'm loaning you clothes.

I thought you owned
every piece of clothing there was.

Work clothes. I always have dinner
at the White House wearing a suit.

- I thought a dress would be nice.
- Go ahead, try it on.

(TELEPHONE RINGS)

I brought earrings, too.

Hello.

- ANDREW: Hi. What are you doing?
- Uh, just trying on dresses.

Listen, I feel terrible, but I'm going
to have to cancel our date tonight.

- Another woman?
-(CHUCKLES) No.

I've gotta go to Saint Louis
to avert a massive airline strike.

Boy, if I had a nickel
for every time I heard that one.

Thanks for understanding,
and I'll call you later this evening.

Okay. Bye.

I hate doing that.
She was tryin' on dresses.

I tell any girl I'm going out with
to assume that all plans are soft

until she receives confirmation
from me 30 minutes beforehand.

- And they find this romantic?
- I say it with a great deal of charm.

Look! Look, there it is!
Carmen's House of Flowers.

- Hey, Coop. We gotta stop.
- LEWIS: What?

I gotta get her some flowers.

- Here?
- Now?

That's what men do when they break a date.

That's not what men do.
I know no men who do that.

Hey, Coop, I'm gonna hop out
at the flower shop.

- You're gonna hop out, sir?
- No, he's not hopping. No hopping, sir.

- Stay in the car. I'll get the flowers.
- ANDREW: Then it's not gonna be personal.

At least let the agents do a security sweep.
We don't know who's in there.

You think there's a florist in there
planning an assassination

on the off chance I might be stopping by?

It's possible.

WOMAN: No. No.

You're not hearing me.
Listen to what I'm saying.

- It was at the basketball game.
- Excuse me.

No, girl, at the game.
I'm telling you, Kiki wasn't even there.

- Excuse me.
-(CHUCKLES) Hold on.

I will be right with you.

Hey, I don't know if you're the one
that I talked to on the phone.

Virginia, dogwood, President.

- Does any of this ring a bell?
-(CRASHING)

Same girl.
She remembered me.

I'm glad to see that
the President has a girlfriend.

Never mind that she's the hired gun
of an ultra-liberal political action committee.

Never mind that the President takes the Fifth

any time a reporter has the temerity
to ask him a question about a woman

in a position to exert enormous influence
over a huge range of issues.

Never mind that this woman's idea of
how to unwind at the end of a tough day

is to get together with some of her ACLU pals
and to set American flags on fire.

No reaction from the White House.

Because it doesn't need to be
dignified with a response.

There's no upside. I'm leaving it alone.

SYDNEY: What do Lewis and Robin think?

Brutus and Cassius? They want me to get
into a character debate and mix it up.

Lewis and Robin are very smart.

- Sydney says you guys are really stupid.
- I didn't say that.

- She's questioning your loyalty.
- Hell, I question it all the time.

Wait a minute. Here comes my favorite part.

My name is Bob Rumson,
and I'm running for President.

Sure glad he cleared that up,

because that crowd was about
to buy some Amway products.

His numbers are climbing.

Sydney, his numbers
have nowhere to go but up.

What about yours?

(SIGHS) We're fine. We'll be back up in the 60s
once I get the votes for the crime bill.

So, what are you doin' this weekend?

Oh, I got some work
I was gonna bring home. Why?

Negotiations are going pretty well here.
Looks like the nation's gonna keep on flying.

And Lucy's spending Saturday night
at a friend's house.

What'd you have in mind?

You ever been to Camp David?

(CHUCKLES) Camp David? Sure.

I used to go there all the time,
but then they changed chefs and I...

It's sass, right? You're sassing me.

(CHUCKLES) Yes.

I'm gonna have somebody
pick you up on Saturday morning.

Okay. Bye.

Bye.

-SYDNEY: Mmm. Good God.
-ANDREW: What?

SYDNEY: I'm looking at your
college transcripts. This isn't human.

Nobody gets this many A's. You were
like a Stepford student. (CHUCKLES)

Are you still reading
that ridiculous biography?

No, no, I finished
Andrew Shepherd: Road to the White House.

Now I'm on to Shepherd: The Early Years.

Seven-trillion-dollar communications system
at my disposal,

and I can't find out if the Packers won.

Oh, Andy. C-minus in Women's Studies?

Yeah, well, that course wasn't about
what I thought it was gonna be about.

NEWSREADER 1:
In a related item, President Shepherd

was in Maryland this week
for his routine physical exam.

Doctors at Bethesda Naval Hospital
pronounced the President in excellent health.

- Ah!
- Who cares? Just give us the scores!

(CHANGING CHANNELS)

NEWSREADER 2: While the President
spent the day at Camp David,

GOP presidential hopeful, Robert Rumson,

continued his attacks on
President Shepherd's character.

During the Saturday morning news program,
Capitol Review with Kenneth Michaels,

Senator Rumson suggested that GDC
political director, Sydney Ellen Wade,

whose close personal relationship
with the President

has been causing the White House
headaches over the past two months,

may have traded sexual favors
for key votes in the Virginia State Legislature

while lobbying for
the Virginia Teachers Association.

- Wait a minute, Senator.
- I'm not saying...

'Cause that's a heck of
an accusation to make.

Let me be very clear about this.
I am not making an accusation.

I am saying, when you hear one thing,
you dismiss it.

You hear two, you dismiss it,

but when several,
several well-respected members

and former members of
the Virginia State Legislature...

- MICHAELS: Can you give us names?
- My God.

- He's making this up as he goes along.
- I'm so sorry, Sydney.

I don't even know what we call her.
Is she the First Mistress?

Oh, man. My father heard that.

He's just gonna have to turn a deaf ear.

Yeah, well, my father doesn't have a deaf ear.
He hears fine out of both.

So do I, and so does my sister
and so do my friends.

You're the only one who seems to...

Sydney, I can't challenge
the school bully to a fight

simply because he picks on my girlfriend.

No, I'm not asking you to.
I can take care of myself.

This isn't about me. How can you keep quiet?

How do you have patience for people
who claim they love America

but clearly can't stand Americans?

I have one election left.
I don't have the luxury of losing my patience.

(SIGHS) I... I want to say something to you,

but I'm gonna fumble it a little bit,

so please just wait till I'm done
before you respond.

(SIGHS)

I am in love with you.

I'm certain of it, and I want
to be with you more than anything.

But maybe things would be better for you
if I just disappeared for a while.

Things will be better
when I pass the crime bill.

And if you disappeared, I'd find you.

(LAUGHS)

(CHRISTMAS CAROLS PLAYING)

- Hi, Gill.
- Mr. President.

Mr. President, militant women are out
to destroy college football in this country.

- Is that a fact?
- Yes, sir.

Have you been following
the situation down in Atlanta? No.

- Hi, Daddy.
- These women want parity

for girls' softball, volleyball, field hockey...

If I'm not mistaken, Gill, the courts
ruled on Title IX about 20 years ago.

Yes, sir, but what I'm saying now
is that these women want that law enforced.

- It's a world gone mad, Gill.
- It is, sir.

- Hello, Gill, merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas.

Come over here.
I want you to meet some people.

LEON: You see,
the country has mood swings.

LEWIS: Mood swings?

Nineteen postgraduate degrees
in mathematics,

and your best explanation of going
from a 63 to a 46% approval rating

in five weeks is mood swings.

Well, I could explain it better,
but I'd need charts and graphs and an easel.

Fellas, we haven't slept in three years.

Can't we forget about work for one night,
take a moment to enjoy each other as friends?

- It's Christmas.
- It's Christmas?

Yeah. You didn't get the memo?

ESTHER: Sydney. Merry Christmas.

- Hi, Esther. Hi.
- Hello, Sydney.

- Merry Christmas, AJ
- And a merry Christmas to you.

- Where you been?
- I got stuck on Dupont Circle.

(ALL LAUGH)

I can never remember
which lane I'm supposed to take.

Then I got cut off by this idiot cab driver
who starts screaming at me like it's my fault.

- Sydney, it's Christmas.
- Hiya, Syd.

Did you get stuck on Dupont Circle again?

It's not funny. I hate that place.

- Can't you declare it a federal disaster area?
- I'll look into it.

What were you doing up on the Hill anyway?

Oh, I had a terrible meeting today.

I totally lost my cool with
McSorley, McClusky and Shane.

- You went up to see the Motown Three?
- I pitched them the bill.

- On its merits?
- The woman has no fear.

She'd lobby the Carolinas
to the American Lung Association.

- It was a disaster.
- You're in good company.

I sat with them a week ago and they said

there was nothing
on the President's domestic agenda

they were more committed to defeating
than the crime bill.

Well, congratulations, fellas.
You're out of the cellar.

Because McSorley told me that the only thing
on the President's domestic agenda

that they were more committed
to defeating than the crime bill

was the fossil fuel package.

- You're kidding, right?
- No, I'm not kidding.

It's funny that he used the same words.

Yeah, Pep Boys don't know too many words.

I'm gonna get a drink and shake this off.

When I come back,
I'll have some Christmas spirit.

Okay.

Are you okay?

I'm fine, yeah. I'm fine.

- Come on, I'll lead the way.
- Thank you.

- BOB: Merry Christmas, Mr. President.
- Happy holidays, Bob.

Did what I think just happened,
just happen?

Did the GDC's political director just tell the
President and the White House Chief of Staff

that there are three votes
on the crime bill that can be bought

by sticking the fossil fuel package
in a drawer?

No. The GDC's political director
didn't tell us anything.

Sydney Wade told her boyfriend
and her boyfriend's best friend

that she had a lousy day.

It doesn't change the facts, Mr. President.

If Sydney gets her 24 votes
and we're three votes shy,

then there's some maneuvering to be done.

- I made a promise, AJ
- You made a deal, Mr. President.

- I made it with Sydney.
- You made it with the GDC

It's all academic anyway.
We're not gonna need those three votes.

Sir, if your approval rating continues to drop,
things are gonna get tight.

I'm hearing rumors that your boss
is wavering on the crime bill.

(CHUCKLES) I wouldn't listen to rumors,
Lewis. You know this town.

That's what I wanted to hear.

I'll tell you, though, my boss
is startin' to waver on the crime bill.

Sydney, everybody cares about
the environment during a phone survey.

On election day, nobody gives a damn.

That's why you have a job.

Congressman Pennybaker, on election day,

people give a damn about
what I tell them to give a damn about.

That's why I have a job.

She got Pennybaker.

(PEOPLE CHEERING)

LEWIS: Congressman, it was our
understanding we had your support.

MILLMAN: Hey, look, I like your boy.
Always have.

But for God's sake, kid,
does the woman have to spend the night?

We've got the full backing
of the White House, Catherine.

Yes, at 20%.

Three more votes,
the President sends it to the Hill.

Katie. Katie, 10 years from now,

any car with an internal combustion engine
is gonna be considered a collector's item.

Come on board.
We'll make your Volvo a classic.

Congressman, the assault weapons are gone.

- The bill is priced to move.
- The bill isn't the issue.

I'm facing a serious challenge in November,

and the President's coattails
just aren't what they used to be.

The President's coattails are gonna
have room for you, Congressman.

You just leave that to us.

We left that to you, Leon,
and now the President's in a free-fall.

- I wouldn't say he's in a free-fall.
- Fellas.

I just can't give you my vote.

AJ, the well is drying up.

Now, the President's gotta make a move,
or we're gonna die fast and quiet.

What if I do a new poll?
We give him detailed public opinion.

- And we put Sydney in the new model.
- Right.

AJ, it's meaningless
unless we ask him about Sydney.

All right, fine. Let's do it.

(INDISTINCT TALKING)

(OPERATIC MUSIC PLAYING)

Mmm. Mmm!

Oh! It's delicious. Thank you.

- Is there any more?
- Tons. I didn't think you liked it.

You kidding? Of course I did.

Actually, it's not for me.

The agent who checked the food
thought it was delicious, too.

I told him I'd bring him some
if there was any left.

- So you didn't like it.
- No, I loved it.

- You're lying.
- No, I'm not.

You are. I can tell when
you're holding something back.

You do a thing with your face.

When have you ever seen me
do a thing with my face?

Two days before I met you.

You were giving a speech for the
Daughters of the American Revolution.

- I was there.
- You were?

- You remember the speech?
- Vaguely.

"Americans can no longer afford
to pretend they live in a great society."

Ah, yes.

There was supposed to be
something after that, wasn't there?

How did you know that?

I told you. The face.

- Cheers.
- Cheers.

Oh, wow! Hmm! What's the occasion?

You're lookin' at a lady who's
two votes shy of the Promised Land.

- Two votes?
- I got Pennybaker.

- That got me Cass and Zimmer.
- Well, that's great. That's great work, Sydney.

I'm not there yet.

Well, no matter what happens, you have
every reason to be proud of yourself.

No, I'll be proud
when I see you sign the bill.

Well, yeah.

Andy?
You're doing that thing with your face.

- How are the numbers?
- Bad.

- How bad?
- Forty-one.

- Character across the board.
- No, come on. George, don't tell me that!

- Who is Lewis on with?
- Jarrett.

He's trying to keep his fingers in the dam.

You're supposed to be a United States
Congressman, for the love of Christ!

But we're not gonna stay at 41.
The numbers are gonna go back up.

But they're gonna go back up.

All right, George. Congressman...

Congressman Jarrett...

Look, George, listen to me.
It's crunch time.

It's personal.
This is one of those moments.

It's just you and the President.
Now, what's it gonna be?

Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah, all right, George.

Can I tell you something?
We're gonna win this thing.

We're gonna get the votes we need
and we're gonna win this thing.

And you know what I'm gonna do after that,
I mean that very night,

I'm gonna go to Sam & Harry's,
I'm gonna order a big steak,

and I'm gonna make a list of everybody
who tried to fuck us this week!

Lewis!

Yeah, well, just vote your conscience,
you chickenshit lame-ass!

We lost Jarrett.

I hope so.

Because if that was an undecided,
then we need to work on our people skills.

Yeah, hi, Karen, it's Lewis.

I need you to find Congressman Quincy
for me right away. Thank you.

We lost Quincy, too.

Did he give a reason?

Yeah. He thinks your numbers
aren't likely to rebound.

LEON: We're three votes down again, sir.

Mr. President, as of this morning,
Sydney only needed one more vote.

Now, the Motown Three
have gotta be scared blind.

I don't think there'll be a better opportunity.

The press is expecting an announcement
on the crime bill by the State of the Union.

And if you agree to stick 455 in a drawer
until after elections,

-they'll give you the three votes.
- ROBIN: And we declare victory, sir.

We said as a last resort.

We're there, sir.
The State of the Union is 48 hours away.

Oh, come on, Leon!
There's gotta be three votes someplace!

- There isn't.
- Bullshit!

- There's gotta be somebody out there!
- There isn't, sir.

- Storch!
- I beg your pardon?

- What about Storch?
- Storch is a no.

Mr. President.

- Wagner?

- Sobel? Clark?
- No. No.

Not that Clark! The one from Indiana.

That one too, sir.

Mr. President, I think we have to do this.

AJ, she is one vote away.

It's important legislation that for
the first time has a legitimate chance.

- She deserves every opportunity...
- LEWIS: She?

You meant "it," didn't you, sir?

You meant the important legislation
deserves every opportunity.

- Lewis, shut up.
- You have something to say to me, Lewis?

Respectfully, sir, I think we should examine
the new poll for something more than...

Examine what? They don't like that
I'm going outwith Sydney.

It's not that simple.

I think that this poll brings
a murky problem into specific relief.

Whose problem are we talking about, Lewis?
Yours? You worried about losing your job?

Because this poll isn't
talking about my presidency!

This poll is talking about my life!

264 million people...

264 million people don't give a damn about
your life! They give a damn about their own!

All right! That's enough!

(SIGHS) Mr. President,
you've raised a daughter

almost entirely on your own,
and she's terrific.

So what does it say to you
that in the past seven weeks

59% of this country has begun
to question your family values?

The President doesn't answer to you, Lewis.

Oh, yes, he does, AJ I'm a citizen.
This is my president.

And in this country, it is not only
permissible to question our leaders,

it's our responsibility.

But you already know that,
don't you, Mr. President?

Because you have a deeper love
of this country than any man I've ever known,

and I want to know what it says to you
that in the past seven weeks

59% of Americans have begun
to question your patriotism?

Look, if people want to listen to Bob...

They don't have a choice!

Bob Rumson is the only one
doing the talking.

People want leadership, Mr. President,
and in the absence of genuine leadership,

they'll listen to anyone
who steps up to the microphone.

They want leadership.

They're so thirsty for it, they'll crawl
through the desert toward a mirage,

and when they discover there's no water,
they'll drink the sand.

Lewis, we have had presidents
who were beloved,

who couldn't find a coherent sentence
with two hands and a flashlight.

People don't drink the sand
because they're thirsty.

They drink the sand because
they don't know the difference.

(THUNDER RUMBLING)

Mr. President,
what do you want to do about 455?

- Make the deal.
- Yes, sir.

-(CORK POPS)
-(PEOPLE LAUGHING)

I just want to go on record and apologize
for my attitude towards you since your arrival.

Oh, I didn't notice.
Was there an attitude?

(STAMMERING) Well, I think that I have
a lot of pent-up hostility.

- Well, I...
- I'm wondering who I can blame that on.

I'm not really qualified, so...

You know, because I've been blaming it
on my mother and my ex-husband,

and, well, that doesn't seem to be working.

Syd, Leo needs to see you.

Well, tell him to get in here.
It's a party.

He needs to see you in his office.

What, it can't wait?

He just got off the phone with MacInerney.
There's been a development.

Good evening.

(TROMBONE PLAYING)

Sounds good.

- It's progressive.
- I'll say.

Dad, what's wrong with Sydney?
Did you guys have a fight or something?

- What do you mean?
- Only she seemed pretty mad.

- You saw her?
- Yeah. She's here.

- Where?
- In your room.

- Dad, why is she mad?
- Don't worry about it, honey.

- Were you a dork?
- Practice your music.

You know, if you were a dork,
you should say you're sorry. Girls like that.

Syd?

Have you seen a gray cable knit sweater?

A gray sweater? No.
I called you at the office today.

It's Beth's. I wore it here one time
and I didn't want to leave it.

Where you going?

- I'm going home, then I'm going to Hartford.
- Connecticut?

Yes. Do you know if it was sent
with your dry cleaning?

What's in Connecticut?

Uh, Richard Reynolds' campaign.
He may be able to give me a job.

When did you decide to get a new job?

Not long after Leo Solomon
fired me from my old one.

- Beth's gonna kill me.
- Why did he fire you?

Oh, total failure to achieve any of
the objectives for which I was hired.

I told him he was being unreasonable.

After all, I did get to dance with the President
and ride in Air Force One a couple of times.

But you know those
prickly environmentalists.

It's always gotta be something with them.
If it's not clean air, then it's clean water.

Like it's not good enough
that I'm on the cover of People magazine.

I'll call him.

You'll call him? You mean
you'll call him yourself, personally?

It'll come from the President?

That's a great idea.
I think you should call Leo and make a deal.

He hires me back for, say, 72 days.
I go around scaring the hell out of Congress,

making them think the President's about to
drive through a very damaging and costly bill.

They'll believe me, right?
Because I'm the President's Friday night girl.

Now, I don't know if you can
dip into that well twice,

especially since I've lost
all credibility in politics.

But you never know.
I might be able to just pull it off again.

I might be able to give you
just the leverage you need

to pass some ground-breaking
piece of crime legislation,

like a mandatory three-day waiting period
before a 5-year-old can buy an Uzi.

Oh, fuck the sweater! She'll have to learn
to live with disappointment.

What do you think went on here today?

I know exactly what went on here today.
I got screwed!

You saw the poll, you needed the crime bill,
you couldn't get it on your own,

so I got screwed!

The environment got screwed, Sydney.
Nothing happened to you.

Governing is choosing.
Governing is prioritizing.

I made no secret of the fact
the crime bill was my top priority.

Well, then, congratulations.
It's only taken you three years

to put together crime prevention legislation
that has no hope of preventing crime.

Syd, please.

I don't want to lose you over this.

Mr. President,
you got bigger problems than losing me.

You just lost my vote.

Hartford? What's in Hartford?

Richard Reynolds' district office.
She's thinking of running his campaign.

Twelve in the corner.

Hartford. Insurance capital of the world.

Have a good time, Syd.

Listen, I'm gonna have Janie
clear your schedule for the weekend.

- You need to get some rest.
- You handling me, AJ?

- No, sir.
- Good.

But I will if you don't start
taking your head out of your ass.

Excuse me?

Lewis is right. Go after this guy.

- Has he lied?
- What?

- Has Rumson lied in the past seven weeks?
- Has he lied?

Other than not knowing the difference
between Harvard and Stanford,

has he said something that isn't true?

Am I not a Commander in Chief
who's never served in the military?

Am I not opposed to a constitutional
amendment banning flag burning?

Am I not an unmarried father who
shared a bed with a liberal lobbyist

down the hall from his 12-year-old daughter?

And you think you're wrong?

I don't think you win elections
by telling 59% of the people that they are!

We fight the fights we can win.
You fight the fights that need fighting!

Is the view pretty good
from the cheap seats, AJ?

I beg your pardon?

Because it occurs to me that in 25 years,
I've never seen your name on a ballot.

Now, why is that?
Why are you always one step behind me?

Because if I wasn't,

you'd be the most popular history professor
at the University of Wisconsin.

Fuck you!

Have Lewis put the final draft
of the State of the Union

on my desk in the morning.

Yes, sir.

(ANDREW SIGHS)

If Mary hadn't died,

would we have won three years ago?

Would we have won?

If we had to go through a character debate
three years ago,

would we have won?

I don't know.

But I would have liked that campaign.

If my friend Andy Shepherd had shown up,
I would have liked that campaign very much.

Yeah.

ROBIN: Because the President
feels there's no value

in this kind of character debate. Arthur?

Robin, will the President ever respond
to Senator Rumson's question

about being a member
of the American Civil Liberties Union?

Yes, he will. Good morning.

That's all right. Please keep your seats.
Good morning.

(CAMERAS CLICKING)

For the last couple of months,
Senator Rumson has suggested

that being President of this country was,
to a certain extent, about character.

And although I have not been willing
to engage in his attacks on me,

I've been here three years and three days,

and I can tell you, without hesitation,

being President of this country

is entirely about character.

For the record, yes, I am a card-carrying
member of the ACLU.

But the more important question is,
why aren't you, Bob?

Now, this is an organization whose
sole purpose is to defend the Bill of Rights.

So it naturally begs the question,

why would a senator,
his party's most powerful spokesman,

and a candidate for President,
choose to reject upholding the Constitution?

Now, if you can answer that question, folks,
then you're smarter than I am,

because I didn't understand it
until a few hours ago.

America isn't easy.

America is advanced citizenship.

You've gotta want it bad,
'cause it's gonna put up a fight.

It's gonna say, "You want free speech?

"Let's see you acknowledge a man
whose words make your blood boil,

"who's standing center stage
and advocating at the top of his lungs

"that which you would spend a lifetime
opposing at the top of yours.

"You want to claim this land
as the land of the free?

"Then the symbol of your country
cannot just be a flag!

"The symbol also has to be
one of its citizens exercising his right

"to burn that flag in protest."

Now, show me that, defend that,
celebrate that in your classrooms.

Then you can stand up
and sing about the land of the free.

I've known Bob Rumson for years,
and I've been operating under the assumption

that the reason Bob devotes so much
time and energy to shouting at the rain

was that he simply didn't get it.

Well, I was wrong.
Bob's problem isn't that he doesn't get it.

Bob's problem is that he can't sell it.

We have serious problems to solve,

and we need serious people to solve them.

And whatever your particular problem is,
I promise you,

Bob Rumson's not the least bit
interested in solving it.

He is interested in two things,
and two things only.

Making you afraid of it
and telling you who's to blame for it.

That, ladies and gentlemen,
is how you win elections.

You gather a group of middle-aged,
middle-class, middle-income voters

who remember with longing an easier time,

and you talk to them about family
and American values and character.

Then you wave an old photo
of the President's girlfriend,

and you scream about patriotism
and you tell them,

"She's to blame for their lot in life."

And you go on television,

and you call her a whore.

Sydney Ellen Wade
has done nothing to you, Bob.

She has done nothing
but put herself through school,

represent the interests
of public school teachers,

and lobby for the safety
of our natural resources.

You want a character debate, Bob,
you better stick with me.

'Cause Sydney Ellen Wade
is way out of your league.

I've loved two women in my life.

I lost one to cancer.

And I lost the other 'cause
I was so busy keeping my job,

I forgot to do my job.

Well, that ends right now.

Tomorrow morning,
the White House is sending a bill

to Congress for its consideration.

It's White House Resolution 455,
an energy bill requiring a 20% reduction,

of the emission of fossil fuels
over the next 10 years.

It is, by far, the most
aggressive stride ever taken

in the fight to reverse
the effects of global warming.

The other piece of legislation is the crime bill.

As of today, it no longer exists.
I'm throwing it out.

I'm throwing it out
and writing a law that makes sense.

You cannot address crime prevention,

without getting rid of
assault weapons and handguns.

I consider them a threat to national security,
and I will go door to door if I have to,

but I'm gonna convince Americans
that I'm right, and I'm gonna get the guns.

We've got serious problems,
and we need serious people.

And if you want to talk about character, Bob,

you better come at me with more than
a burning flag and a membership card.

If you want to talk about character
and American values, fine.

Just tell me where and when,
and I'll show up.

This is a time for serious people, Bob,
and your 15 minutes are up.

My name is Andrew Shepherd,
and I am the President.

(REPORTERS CLAMORING)

Well, you don't see that
every day of the week.

He's got the whole White House press corps
asking each other how to spell "erudite."

Better call the printer, Lewis.

I know.
We gotta rewrite the State of the Union.

Every word, kid. It's a whole new ball game.
You have exactly 35 minutes.

Oh, good. I thought I was gonna be rushed.

I don't want a limousine.
I don't want an escort.

I want a plain, ordinary,
non-bulletproof automobile.

Somebody around here
must have a Chevy I can borrow.

Well, find one and have it outside
the West Wing entrance in five minutes.

Excuse me, sir. Where are you going?

I'm going over to her house, I'm gonna
stand outside her door until she lets me in.

I'm not leaving until I get her back.

And how are you gonna do that, sir?

Well, I haven't worked that out yet,
but I'm sure that groveling will be involved.

You're just gonna drive over?

AJ, I'm Commander in Chief
of the most powerful army in the world.

You don't think I can drive 10 blocks?

Just stay away from Dupont Circle.
I hear it's murder this time of day.

Hi, AJ

Nice to see you, Ms. Wade.

Well, if anyone needs me,
I'll be in the Roosevelt Room

giving Lewis oxygen.

I heard your speech.

I was in my car.

It just kind of steered its way over here.

I'm glad.

(SIGHS)

Sydney,

I didn't decide to send 455
to the floor to get you back.

And I didn't come back
because you sent 455 to the floor.

(DOOR OPENS)

Mr. President, you might want to...

Hi, Sydney.

Hi!

I moved Social Security up front.

Mr. President, Mr. Leventhal at the Treasury
wants two minutes. Hello, Sydney.

Mr. President... Excuse me, Ms. Wade.
Ms. McCall is on her way over, sir.

I got some things to do.

Yes, you do.

NEWSCASTER: We're only a moment or two
away from the arrival of President Shepherd

and his State of the Union address.

George, you've served on the staffs
on several past administrations.

What kind of last-minute activity
is the President engaged in right now?

There's something I wanted
to give you since our first date.

I've tried to do it a number of times,

but somehow I've always
managed to trip over my job.

- But here.
-(GASPS)

- These are for you.
- Oh!

They're beautiful.

Ahem. Mr. President?

Well, I've gotta go.

Uh, should I stay here?

Walk with me.

How'd you finally do it?

Do what?

Manage to give a woman flowers
and be President at the same time.

Well, it turns out I've got a rose garden.

(PEOPLE APPLAUDING)

Mr. Speaker,

the President of the United States!

(INAUDIBLE)