演員：麥克道格拉斯
安妮特班寧
片名：白宮夜未眠
編劇：艾朗梭金
製片兼導演：羅伯雷納
自由動身了
十點半的會議改到印第安廳
跟美國漁業代表開會？
他們會送你兩百磅重比目魚
請你記下來
我們需要安排更多贈魚儀式
是的
珍妮，我是開玩笑
我知道， 古柏
早安，總統先生
羅契先生想跟你談談
他為昨晚的講詞生氣？
他好像有點關切
他不為我週日的講詞關切
就不算是週一
你刪掉一段話
果然是週一
我們無法假裝美國社會很美好
你完全沒提關於手槍那段話
現在應該謹慎點
那才是精采部份
既然我才是總統…
我並不是說…
我以為你會雀躍三分
民眾滿意程度63點
真是好消息
早安，總統先生
查理。 早安，查理
你得向記者解釋
為什麼？
你刪過精采部份留下這東西
這〝東西〞？
他們無法假裝再活在美好社會
沒有任何解釋，只有這句話
就留下這東西
對
瑪莉亞，早安
早，我要消費…
消費資料十五分鐘後準備好
謝了
我們得談談…
你早上咖啡最好少喝點
我不喝咖啡
那就自己當頭打一棒吧
是的
生日快樂，蘿拉 生日快樂
謝謝你
我應該送點花
你送了
早安，總統先生
你好嗎，查太太？
很好，謝謝
庫達先生留下民意調查結果
他說是好消息
63點滿意程度
露西說 你忘了幫她簽出遊許可
到美術館，我去拿
她幾點回家？
三點二十分
下午行程如何？
很忙
三點四十五分排出時間
早安，總統先生
麥高小姐，玩得開心嗎？
我聽到美國社會不美好才開心
他刪掉整段話
留下那句話很尷尬
美國社會不美好？
你不在當然不好你回來就好
記者都問這是什麼意思
你看
A. J.，你收到信嗎？
全球環保會老索的信？
好像是所有環保份子寄來的
他們太過份了
他們只是很氣
溫室效應他們也怪總統嗎？
他們並不是說是他引起的
我常跟他們連絡
我真不曉得他們想要怎樣
他們要減低20%燃料廢氣程度
20%的法案不會通過
我們從沒試過
汽車三鉅子影響力太大
法案不通過我們會顏面盡失
對選情非常不利
告訴全球環保委員會
總統絕對不會背棄環保份子
我會提出法案要求減低10%
他們不支持就拉倒
有63%的民意滿意我的執政
法案會通過的
很好
開始吧，李昂呢？
通知庫達先生，總統在等他
抱歉，我的錯
算了
對不起
早安，總統先生
你沒事吧？
盆栽老是搬來搬去
都到齊了
首先，我想先恭喜大家
三年前
我以極微的差距當選總統
今天有63%的註冊選民支持我
你要我也調查註冊選民？
調查結果也顯示
反犯罪法案不過這將成歷史
從今天起全力推動此法案
可以發表管制槍械…
控制犯罪
管制槍械表示執法鬆懈
等等 拜託
手槍管制不包括在內？
法案裡不包括這點
總統先生那是你的競選重點
現在支持率高升可以繼續推動
等選舉結束再說
這個機會難逢
好好利用63%的民意基礎
不行，這是用來獲得連任
不知怎地
民眾不把槍和犯罪畫上等號
稍後再向新聞界簡報
反犯罪法案是首要的內政要務
收到
成立法案指揮部
詳細列出該說服的地區議員
李昂，這次別太客氣
學學槍械協會
恐嚇他們
沒錯
沒問題
路易，你負責說服國會議員
我可以回到法案本身嗎？
想向毒品開戰就必須管制槍械
我們要打有把握的仗
是的
72天後在國情咨文中
提出反犯罪法案
還缺18票才能通過
72天內18票，謝謝各位
謝謝，總統先生
接下來是什麼？
國家安全簡報
全球環保，您好
你找我？
我剛和A. J.通過話
總統看了信嗎？
他很氣，不該寄那封信
我們堅持我們的理念…
他不像四年前需要我們支持
他的聲望高升
他會連任 才不管我們的理念
要是在我們的反對下
史上最重要的環保法案通過
我們的政治力量將一落千丈
我要找人幫忙
不必找專家證明眾所皆知的事
不是環保專家
是政治策略家
要硬碰硬就得找高手
是誰？
魏欣妮
老天，她根本就不懂環保遊說
她技巧很高，非常有效率
砍掉這段話如何？
把這段移上去
紐約時報問有什麼才是美好社會？
你怎麼說？
我不是總統，不過我說百慕達
很好
你表妹感冒，不能陪你赴宴
真可惜，提醒我打電話給她
是的
你要單身赴宴？
不打緊
拿你的喪妻之痛博取同情沒錯
我不敢相信我說這種話
我決不會侮辱你對夫人的思念
沒關係
現在幾點？
三點半，先生
我上去跟露西打聲招呼
司法部長和貿易代表等著見你
還有全國公共電台
總統先生…
蘿萍，別擔心
別停，很好聽，什麼曲子？
音階
你吹得很有勁
我的嘴腫了嗎？
應該腫嗎？
對
你吹得很好
你背後藏了什麼？
我要給你個驚喜
摩托車？
不是
是你那本老掉牙的舊課本
你要我讀後做報告嗎？
不是老掉牙 讀後報告是真的
〝了解憲法〞
你的公民老師說這週要教憲法
你找過林老師？
這是家長會，老師和家長都在
你為何不喜歡公民課？
我很喜歡呀
上別的課你都很高興熱心
上公民課卻是問三句才答一句
不曉得，我猜我只是…
不曉得
露西
這本書你看看，很精采
這是關於美國的定位和準則
第一頁唸來聽聽
〝蓋摩初中之財產〞
下一頁，露西
我們身為美國國民為求團結
很精采對吧？ 讓你捨不得放下
我迫不及待
很好，吃飯時我可能會抽考
你的工作是折磨我嗎？
那是福利，晚上見
是啊
魔羯地對空防禦系統已就緒
22名空防教練
正待命前往以色列
幾時能派遣？
一早就行
20天後就能運作
有安全顧慮嗎？
誰想炸掉它早就炸了
那就快安裝，謝謝各位
晚安，各位。 謝謝大家
晚安，查太太
珍妮，明天見
好的，總統先生
晚安，珍妮
晚安
總統先生
謝謝你
全球環保會的老索找來幫手
他早該找了
維吉尼亞州的女律師 魏欣妮
我跟她很熟
她很會幫議員當選
也許應該把她搶過來
10%，要讓他們搞清楚
是的
你有空來打聲招呼緩和氣氛
叫珍妮提醒我
很好
然後專心推動反犯罪法案
這次我想贏得漂亮點
會的，總統先生
A. J.
是的
蘿萍今天說了一句話
我知道她不會隨便亂說
她並不是針對我個人
算了，明天見
晚安，總統先生
A. J.
是的
不辦公我們兩獨處時叫我安迪
對不起？
你是我的伴郎，叫我安迪
隨你便，總統先生，晚安
晚安，A. J.
我是魏欣妮
他只要看你的駕照
維吉尼亞人 他不在乎
我要和麥先生開會
他不必知道
對不起
我第一次來白宮
我想體驗卡波電影裡的感覺
他不會懂的
我懂，法蘭克卡波，電影導演
風雲人物 史密斯先生到美京
維吉尼亞的魏欣妮，加油
謝了
公立教育沒救，我才補助私立的
雖然提案很有限，但別無他法
哈洛會查，下週再研究
向琳達問好，大家感恩節快樂
謝謝你，總統先生
如何？
你提早了四分鐘
提早？ 是的
真是破天荒，我該做什麼？
麥先生要我提醒你
跟全球環保會見面
你們的關係絕對沒被忽略
薛普總統絕對支持環保團體
這沒什麼稀奇，A. J.
我們放過麥先生吧
他不讓我們放過他
因為他今天令人非常失望
魏小姐剛參與，不清楚狀況
她還沒看過魁北聯合會報告
我是沒看過，如果有人問起
我會說那是冰上曲棍球聯會
不過我知道，總統準備競選連任
庫達是競選策略高手
他一定和我所見略同 告訴總統要迎合密西根和加州
製造燃燒石油的汽車飛機工業
但讀過這些資料後
我知道石油會引起全球升溫
而我們要求減低20%燃料廢氣
是抑止溫室效應的必要措施 白宮卻毫不關心
我們該走了…
幕僚長不先把壞消息說出來 今天決不會讓我們走
欣妮沒錯，但與競選策略無關
總統準備將能源法案送交國會
要求減低10%燃料廢氣
總統願意單打獨鬥
不過他希望你們全力支持
要我們全力支持？ 沒錯
總統在作夢
總統完全錯估現實狀況
若他以為環保人士會欣喜若狂
擁護他這位冒牌的環保領袖
就因為他比前任總統好一點
那他就是幻想國國王
咱們快把他扁一頓吧
早安，總統先生，你好嗎？
很好，抱歉打擾
A. J.要我來打聲招呼
你不是魏欣妮吧？
總統先生，我不知該說什麼
我無話可說
我看你話可多了
我是史蘇珊，我替梅議員工作
希望這不會影響…
欣妮？
是的
你有空嗎？
當然
我們到沒這麼嚴肅的地方談談
珍妮
是的
珍妮是我的私人助理
請帶魏小姐到休閒室
這裡請
我馬上就來
抱歉讓你久等
總統先生，我…
我可以叫你欣妮嗎？
可以，總統先生
你進過橢圓形辦公室嗎？
我只參觀過白宮，不包括…
聽說挺不錯
我只是想在輕視我的同事面前爭一口氣
因為我的行為怪罪全球環保非常不公平
我也為我的失言感到萬分抱歉
你覺得我很氣你嗎？
我…
每天都有人燒我的芻像
沒有人敢在白宮裡痛罵總統
那倒也是
當初華府在做都市規劃時
就故意要對國外元首造成壓力
是真的
我不曉得
白宮在政治角力中佔絕對優勢
我學到了教訓
這項法案對我很重要
我了解，我會轉達的
不過你不相信我
我們要求減低20%
國會決不會通過，10%都很難
白宮不全力支持又怎能確定
20%的法案在眾議院還缺34票
不過這樣好了
我們談個條件
你能爭取24票我就給你10票
24票？
國情咨文之前辦到
我就保證白宮全力支持
你能一言為定嗎？
當然能
這樣吧
你餓嗎？我沒吃早餐
你想吃個甜甜圈喝杯咖啡嗎
這裡讓我壓力很大
我也的確說錯了話
不過別輕視我帶來的訊息
全球環保會15年來都警告總統
全球升溫的破壞性僅次於核戰
最頂尖的科學家都能證明這點
我再強調一點
如果你食言
我們會支持別的候選人
你不能這樣
對不起，誰能阻止我？
情治人員會阻止你
那是我私人辦公室
你得從那裡出去
三鉅子知道我們推動反犯罪案
他們對衝鋒槍很關切
我該跟他們會面嗎？
讓路易先試試
好，二號球進角袋
打得好，總統先生
你叫我總統先生？
打撞球你也不肯叫我名字？
打撞球上課都不叫
我不愛吃蛋別叫我養雞
放輕鬆，A. J.
別站在我對面
抱歉
九號球進角袋
早上你的條件讓老索雀躍三分
我忘了告訴你
他們在浪費時間
與我們無關，讓他們去爭取
得不到票數就通過較鬆的法案
我們就成為英雄
三號球進旁袋
還有，魏欣妮來電
魏欣妮
她想再向你道歉
對不起
三號進旁袋
她有提到我嗎？
魏小姐？
她來電時
她應該提到你？
我們談得挺愉快，針鋒相對
沒一起吃飯，不過印象深刻
對不起
沒問題
十三號球進角袋？
她沒說我什麼嗎？
沒有 不過我可以幫你傳紙條
告訴我，假如說…
噩夢來了
我請她陪我參加國宴，怎麼樣？
別開玩笑
我像在開玩笑嗎？
總統不能隨便約會
有何不可？威爾森也做過
他也曾喪妻，遇到高伊蒂後
和她戀愛成親
還有時間成立國際聯盟
總統先生，這是選舉年
你要女伴我們可以秘密安排
我不要叫小姐，這裡是賭城嗎
不，這裡是白宮
約會和擔任總統互不牴觸
我是單身漢，有權和她約會
這跟威爾森有何不同？
他不必上電視，你也說過
六十年前若有電視
美國人決不會選個輪椅總統
你是什麼意思？
你的聲望會下降
多少？
五個百分點
只有五個百分點？
可能更多
五個百分點根本不算什麼
五號球進角袋
讓庫達預估民意如何？
好
不好，我不用民意許可才約會
好像要舍監准許才能晚歸
此事與美國人民無關
抱歉，美國人民很喜歡管別人的閒事
我喜歡她，A. J.
當當我的朋友好嗎？
打電話給她
珍妮
她沒說我什麼嗎？
她說你比她想像的高
那算是好話吧
是的，先生
我要你找個電話號碼
理查
不好笑
我好像激動的大學新鮮人
告訴他你走錯門
我都忘了
我不想聽你學總統講話
我想聽
我要掛斷了
我希望一覺醒來發現總統換人
他一定覺得我是三流渾球
他會認為你是一流的渾球
我馬上恢復冷靜，你得佩服我
我最後還是佔上風
我很清楚地警告他
他不重視我們就得承擔後果
然後你開錯門
你準備笑我一輩子嗎？
我有此打算
一定是老索，他九點會打來
喂？
嗨，你是欣妮嗎？
老索？
不是，我是安德魯薛普
原來是總統先生
你真滑稽，理查，很好笑
我不是理查，我是安德魯薛普
打來正好，我沒說你屁股很帥
我沒電話你還找得到我，真厲害
晚安，理查
我不是理…
以前沒這麼難
不可思議
你要我來嗎？
總統也許難搞，理查好應付
喂？
欣妮？
你有智障嗎？
幫個忙，掛上電話
什麼？
掛上電話，打4561414
接通白宮後說出你的名字
請接線生轉接總統
我的天，不是吧？
怎麼回事？
一天不可能犯兩次大錯
您好，這是白宮
喂？ 嗨
我是魏欣妮，我想…
總統等你來電，我幫你轉接
喂？
總統先生…
我說你的屁股很帥
我相信一定有正式的道歉方法
我只是不知道怎麼說
抱歉，我現在不該打擾你
要我打到辦公室嗎？
當然不用
你隨時都能打來，沒有關係
我的意思是…
我乾脆移民到外國算了
你沒電話是什麼意思？
我剛搬來，住所還沒接電話
這裡是我妹妹家
你怎麼查到這號碼？
我怎麼查到？問得好
大概是聯邦調查局吧
調查局？當然
當總統想找人，當然要找調查局
還能找誰？
中情局
我說的是國稅局
他們有電腦檔案…
我應該直說
你也知道法國選了新總統
白宮要舉辦國宴歡迎他
我在想要是你沒別的事
如果你能陪我赴宴，應該很好玩
我就是為這件事找你
欣妮？
國會表決都沒這麼久
總統先生
你邀我和你共同代表我國赴宴
真是榮幸，我絕對會全力以赴
只是吃個飯，不是當間諜
當然不是
我有點…
我該怎麼做？
我該怎麼去？你會來接我嗎
我會請瑪莎跟你連絡
她是白宮社交秘書，她會幫你
當她自稱是瑪莎
請你別懷疑
當然
週四見吧
總統先生，謝謝你邀請我
我第一次做這種事
我也一樣
誰負責印第安納州？
我記不得名字，請你舉手
不對，你負責伊利諾州
傑瑞
什麼？
喬治傑瑞支持我們
我不相信
喂，新來的
明尼蘇達州傑瑞議員支持此案
他猶豫不決，你怎麼說服他？
不是我的功勞
他說他百分之百的支持總統
不是這項法案
我們會贏的，他的魅力無法擋
投一票就能跟魅力先生合照
手槍也該管制
慢慢來
沒時間了
〝16票，69天〞
我是魏欣妮辦公室的大衛，我可以等
我要確認魏欣妮與議員的約會
希望兩黨領導能支持
多數黨黨鞭在休息？
國會在開會，沒錯吧？
我和賽門談過，布議員支持
太好了
請他回我電話
你還好吧？
很好，怎麼了？
不曉得，你好像坐立難安
什麼意思？
今晚有重大約會？
魯森議員，能打擾一下嗎？
當然
這位是少數黨領袖勞伯魯森
他應邀蒞臨不分黨派的白宮
民意調查顯示總統目前的聲望
明年競選連任絕無對手
你將成為向他挑戰的候選人嗎
你是嗎？
離大選還早，我只是來赴宴
謝謝你，參議員
有點緊，露西
緊一點看起來才有威嚴
你想切斷我臉上的血液循環？
好了
不錯，哪裡學來的？
公民課
不好笑，哪裡學來的？
不曉得，我莫名其妙就會了
甜心，是媽媽教的嗎？
是
我跟女士一起吃飯可以吧？
當然可以
真的？你有意見的話…
爸，沒問題，開心點
好吧
我有點緊張
你很好，自然點
自然點？
對，記得要讚美她的鞋子
鞋子？
是啊，女孩子會喜歡
好吧，謝了
謝謝，魏小姐
嗨， 你好，總統請你到他的住所
我帶你去
好的
欣妮，請進，你真美
我來這裡幹嘛？
我保證沒有政治目的
我太太，愛絲
真高興再見面
欣妮
我是安德魯薛普，我們通過話
沒錯，我記得
請恕我失陪
你們見面的經過真好玩
不曉得是怎麼回事
我先說他是冒牌的環保領袖
然後他就邀我約會
男人喜歡被女人罵，真奇怪
總統，容我介紹維州的魏欣妮
這是法國總統惹內達斯提
以及總統夫人夢妮達斯提
幸會
非常榮幸認識兩位
真是幸會
抱歉，賓客已準備入席
欣妮，可以入席了
在樓梯底得正式接見
他們跟我說過
很好
你常辦國宴嗎？
這是第二次
上次是招待日本天皇
他不久後去世，所以就不常辦
以防萬一
我是說，你常…
我常約會嗎？
對
不常，你呢？
我？
最近我常跟人第一次約會
你很有經驗
你儘管問
目前還好吧？
很難說，第一次約會都差不多
我想要與眾不同
各位女士先生，美國總統…
對了，鞋子很美
以及法國總統達斯提賢伉儷
總統先生
法國總統和夫人看來很無聊
他們沒在聊天
他們喝醉了
愛絲，你會法文嗎？
我會拉丁文
我以為你會法文
是拉丁文
凱撒大帝來訪你就當翻譯
不知道你…
總統先生…
我的女伴
真的
一點也沒錯
你沒取消美法貿易協議吧？
我說有這麼美的大廳和音樂
怎麼沒人跳舞？
我告訴魏小姐在法國
路易十三國王的賓客
如果沒有國王允許就翩然起舞
馬上就會被送上斷頭臺
沒人敢指責路易十三縱容犯罪
這是有意義的
白宮應該多砍人頭？
巴伯魯森會全力支持
我絕不懷疑
我有更好的點子
你想跳舞嗎？
應該想吧
我是說，遵命，我很樂意
真不知道你怎麼辦得到
我上過六節交際舞課
我不是這意思
兩百對眼睛在看著你還在想
那女的是誰？ 他為何與她共舞
那兩百對眼睛不是看著我
而是看著你
答案是，她是魏欣妮
還有因為她願意
〝白宮新聞簡報〞
早安，查太太
早安，總統先生
羅契先生和麥高小姐在等你
他們想先跟你談談
好
幫我找花店電話號碼
你想送花到哪裡？
我想自己訂，我只要號碼
我不明白
我要花店的電話號碼
你只要電話號碼？
對
我不明白，有問題嗎？
我只是想訂花
不必勞師動眾下行政命令
我只要電話號碼
我馬上去找
早安. 早安.
打擾你五分鐘
讓我先打個電話
謝謝你，珍妮
你要打給誰？
我要打給不關你閒事協會
我馬上好，請你離開
是的
嗨，早安
我怎麼打外線？
這麼簡單
珍妮
什麼事？
總統在幹嘛？
抱歉，我不能說
早安，這是卡門花店嗎？
很好，我想訂花
請問維吉尼亞州花是什麼？
跟魏欣妮有關嗎？
我真的不能說
有人知道嗎？
不是，我不是故意刁難
請稍候
維吉尼亞州花是什麼？
維吉尼亞州花？
山茱萸
是山茱萸
謝謝
是山茱萸
真的？
請稍候
珍妮 山茱萸是樹，不是花
其實它是樹也是花
你確定？
確定，怎麼回事？
先生，它是會開花的樹
山茱萸會開花，我要訂一打
真的？沒有山茱萸？
那玫瑰呢？
簡單大方，來兩打吧
我身為總統資深內政顧問
我的信用卡呢？
跟你其他財物儲放在你家鄉
好吧
你最好寄帳單來，應該沒問題
你應該認得我，我是總統
美國總統
喂？喂？
老索，你找我？
你人生地不熟，應該約你出來
結果翻開報紙一看
真好玩，他打來我家
你們有何關係？
沒什麼
一切都很單純，他表妹感冒
你跟他上床嗎？
老索
有嗎？
這與你無關
當然有關
別管我的私生活
扯上總統就沒私生活可言
我請的是策略高手，不是舞后
這麼說不公平
當然不公平
你常說環保人士老是搞不懂
基本上政治都是表面印象
你不該這麼無知
你在小題大作
是嗎？
你正值巔峰狀態
你終於如願以償 打進權力核心
規劃全國活動，成為黨內要人
跟總統的關係不能半途而廢
政治都是表面的
如果這段關係無疾而終
你很快就會淪為政壇的笑柄
我們沒有關係，只是一次約會
白宮送來的，上面寫〝易腐壞〞
白宮送我易腐壞的東西？
是送魏小姐的
還說呢
別緊張，只是例行公事
是他送的
當然是
他找手下送我們水果籃
卡片是他親筆寫的
他不會親自…
送貨小弟說總統寫了十分鐘
好吧，就算是…
他花了十分鐘？
他還重寫了好幾遍
〝維吉尼亞火腿〞
是什麼？
火腿
火腿？
他送我維吉尼亞火腿
棒呆了，你是總統的馬子
想不成笑柄都不行
謝了
他們會問犯罪法案是否會讓步
現在還不必回答
我該怎麼處理欣妮問題
〝欣妮問題〞？
如何處理應該有共識
希望〝雪梨問題〞跟澳洲有關
如果不是…
總統先生
魏小姐來了
請她進來，會議結束
是的
沒有欣妮問題
早
嗨
謝謝你抽空見我
沒問題，火腿收到了嗎？
收到了
我想送花，不過有點麻煩
你能來就好，我昨晚很愉快
我也是，只是…
直昇機馬上到
州長會議我得致詞，抱歉
你明晚有空吃飯嗎？
吃飯？ 在我家家常飯，不是聯合國
我女兒也在，她倒是挺聒噪的
我很想見見露西
她也想見你
傑夫
我有點擔心
是的，我不能去
羅賓或史特浩？
兩個都不能，我不能久留
史特浩想跟你談槍械問題
他想談開放公用牧地
抱歉，你擔心什麼？
只擔心幾件事
我只擔心一件事
跟我們其中一個是總統有關嗎？
你愛拿這事開玩笑
我只是請女孩吃飯的男人
那是什麼？
我的座機
老索很擔心我會跟你…
你懂吧
跟美國總統有染
聽起來是不怎麼好聽
只是烤肉餅，有這麼嚴重嗎
七點半好嗎？
嗨，魏小姐？
叫我欣妮
我是露西薛普，幸會
幸會
爸要我跟你說:他在和牙醫通話
還要我先跟你聊聊
他在和牙醫通話？
不，他要我這麼說
他要你認為他是普通老百姓
他到底在跟誰通話？
以色列首相
肯定不是談牙齒
希望不是
他們在談我記不住的縮寫
C-STAD？
對
魔羯地對空防禦系統
對
好了，開動吧
嗨
你的牙齒好嗎？
我的牙齒？
牙醫
對，我的前臼齒有蛀牙
臺拉維夫城外還有短程飛彈
有人打小報告
別高估選民
他們不管經濟成長
更不關心加強外交政策
他們只重視人格
他是媒體寵兒，電視和報社記者都喜歡他
他們都喜歡高收視率和訂報率
雖然新聞界比較開放
一提到人格爭論
他們照樣煽風點火
爭論薛普的人格沒有用
因為沒得好爭論
他喪妻一年後攻擊他
民意調查顯示民眾會同情他
因為他是鰥夫，我們才無計可施
可是他現在還是鰥夫
原諒他，他去打獵，不知世事
發生什麼事？
總統交了女朋友
你讀到修憲會議
她讀得很不開心
爸
你讀得不開心？
公民課真是噩夢
他們要模擬議會
學生扮演議員
怎麼會不好玩
晚安，爸
晚安，甜心
很高興認識你
我也一樣，晚安
好好睡，我愛你
我也愛你，爸
她真可愛
她像她媽媽
她像你
你想參觀白宮嗎？
好啊
魔羯防禦系統不是一月才運作
我們提早完成，正在等人員
以色列人員？
不，是我們的人
我們要派教員訓練他們
晚安
我猜…
對，這是盤子廳
才不是盤子廳
是，這大廳都是盤子
是瓷器廳
我喜歡西樓
我相信一定有介紹白宮的書
不計其數，我幫你買一本
欣妮
總統先生…
范布倫瓷具和布坎南的，好類似
有一天你能不能與我共處一室
而不把我當成總統？
不是我把你當成總統
你就是總統
不論我在哪裡與你單獨共處
我永遠是遊說份子
你永遠是美國總統
那你就錯了，欣妮
身為遊說份子
你不可能和總統單獨共處一室
我們這樣好嗎？
大概不好
總統先生
軍情室收到緊急電話
對不起
抱歉，女士
沒關係
利比亞剛炸毀魔羯防禦系統
我明早再跟你連絡
帶魏小姐出去
反擊行動已擬好
F-18戰機和兩艘戰艦正在待命
他們都等你下令攻擊
目標是利比亞情報總部？
國家安全顧問確定他們是主謀
預估將殺害多少人？
把大樓夷為平地
情報總部在市中心
會打中別處嗎？
不會，除非瞄不準
會瞄不準嗎？
不會
大樓裡有多少人？
我們說過
有多少人？
總統先生，員工有三班
最少的那一班是夜班嗎？
是的，只有守衛人員
夜班幾點開始？
現在
A. J.
這算立即反擊，風險最低
而且是相對的反擊
哪天一定要跟我解釋"相對反擊"
總統先生？
攻擊
戰機離開敵方領空就通知記者
幾時有完整簡報？
洛克將軍說八點左右
八點？
你要向全國發表演說嗎？
我不想讓利比亞成為焦點
你應該發表演說
魯森會指責你沒服過役
這與他無關
我並不是想獲得政治利益
能有利益，你很有總統威嚴
李昂…
那棟情報總部裡有清潔工
他正在默默工作
他不曉得一小時後，他會被炸死
因為他不知道一小時前
我下令將他消滅
這件事一點都沒總統威嚴
總統先生…
瑪麗
魔羯防禦系統會讓利比亞
錯認為是攻擊性飛彈嗎？
我們幾乎連藍圖都給對方看
硬體已裝設一個月
美國人員一到他們才攻擊 賴斯里
據說你得知消息時在陪魏欣妮，是真的嗎？
我們剛吃完飯，把他帶走
最後一個問題
請談談你們的關係
我們沒有關係，只是吃過飯
她在白宮過夜嗎？
昨晚有很多人犧牲
請各位嚴肅對待，謝謝
我們應該準備答案
沒什麼好準備的，A. J.， 是的
見過安委會後，再會見各國領袖
〝新聞週刊〞想訪問十分鐘
今天不行
請議長稍候，我要跟他談
我馬上下來
這些自由派的計劃
犧牲了22名美國士兵的性命
沒有哈佛學位也預料得到後果
我上史丹福大學，大嘴巴
薛普先生從未服過役
箱子上寫雜物，是哪裡的雜物
欣妮？
我為什麼要親他？
你親了他？
是啊
你沒說
我親了他
在哪裡？
嘴上
在白宮哪裡？
在盤子廳
盤子廳？
瓷器廳
然後呢？
他得去攻擊利比亞
每次都有事煞風景
我得懸崖勒馬，否則後果難堪
怎麼會？
他是自由世界領袖
傑出幽默瀟灑，舞跳得不錯
你的眼光未免太高了
快接電話
是他
接電話
他會叫我過去
快接，我不想去
接電話
我直接跟他一刀兩斷
我來告訴你我不能再見你
快進來，謝謝
我知道你辛苦一天
不算什麼，喝杯酒？
大衣給我
總統先生，這樣不行
當然行，打開鈕釦
我不是這意思
我很喜歡跟你在一起
不過這樣後果不堪設想
請別在政壇外跟我有關係
我在政壇內也不會跟你有關係
但我想繼續跟你的關係
雖然我不是閣員，但選戰將屆
不能讓人有藉口批評你的人格
特別是被人當作是花花公子
你要先搞清楚
第一，我不是花花公子
第二，我不跟人爭論人格
第三，你不是我的閣員
要是你一意孤行…
對了，那是為什麼？
什麼為什麼？
你為什麼不入閣？
你請不起我
你薪水多少？
比你多，總統先生
叫我安迪，你薪水多少？
那有什麼重要？
你向總統大吼？
我是為你的地位著想
記者會只是開始
魯森會窮追爛打
你喜歡我嗎？
什麼？
我問你喜不喜歡我？
那不是重點
咱們把它當重點
一般戀人剛交往不會因為
擔心被魯森批評而踩煞車
你不是一般人
你的問題很大
什麼問題？
性和緊張
我的問題是性和緊張
對
我們在盤子廳看的餐具
都是第一夫人提供的
我打賭
她們跟丈夫做愛時，絕對不會緊張
你知道原因嗎？
不知道，不過你一定會說
沒錯
他們相識時丈夫還不是總統
我們不同
你懂我的意思嗎？
懂
我能用廁所嗎？
從那裡進去
我想洗洗臉
右手邊會有一個衣櫥
你可以把大衣掛起來
然後回來坐下來喝杯酒
我再說出計畫
計畫？別讓我等，你說吧
好，你很喜歡我
卻因為我是總統，不敢和我親熱
這會改變的
因為昨晚，你感覺是跟我在一起
不是與總統共處
我知道這對你有多難
所以我並不急
我的計畫是
我們慢慢來
等你習慣了再有親蜜關係
也許我沒有解釋，慢慢來的意思
你解釋得很清楚
你會緊張嗎？
不會
很好
我的緊張有幾種程度
第一，沒有先後順序
我已經好久沒做過
第二…
對我身為…你若有任何期待
世界最有權力的人
沒錯，謝謝
千萬記住，那只是政治上的涵意
艾森豪與我易地而處，肯定不行
第三…
安迪
新罕布夏州想要傳統美德回歸白宮嗎？
新罕布夏州想重得驕傲嗎？
我叫巴伯魯森，我要競選總統
什麼事？
接進來
一大早五點，別沒事找事幹
是嗎？
好吧
欣妮
嗨
你在幹嘛？
我想趁記者沒來之前先走
我每天都想這樣
你認識羅契吧？
他知道我在這裡過夜會抓狂
他馬上過來
什麼？
進來，路易
早，總統先生
你好，欣妮
嗨，路易
總統先生…
謝謝你告訴我燃料污染的資料
我拿了大衣就走
情況如何？
每個出口都有人等
誰在等？
記者
記者在等？
你應該搭計程車
他們認得我的車？
早安，總統先生，欣妮
路易一通知我就來了
謝天謝地
別看起來驚慌失措
重要的是別真的驚慌
早安，總統
早安
早，魏小姐
大家起得都很早
如何帶她出去? 怎麼向記者說?
需要聲東擊西
聲東擊西？
我不是說要把白宮燒了
儘管燒呀
我不能參與非法行為
你很乖
因為都是我這種人，揹黑鍋坐牢
別怕，不必聲東擊西
不必嗎？ 我會找人送你
愛絲在辦公室
旅行車準備好了
很好，現在準備新聞稿
欣妮，你會碰上很多新聞記者
他們每天都會盯著你纏著你
理不理他們由你決定
白宮的立場只有“不予置評”
不予置評？
白宮不會就私生活發表意見
不能就這樣算了
我說算了就算了
可是… 謝謝，總統先生
我們走吧
謝謝你，總統先生 謝謝你，總統先生
愛絲在我辦公室，慢慢來
謝了，A. J.
很抱歉
下次會比較好
我倒覺得這次挺好的
我不是這意思
我知道
我很開心
我也是
我再跟你連絡
我會從巴拿馬打電話給你
這樣很好
再見 再見
好，這樣不錯
獎勵計畫如何？
魏欣妮，上週總統的國宴女伴
據說昨晚在白宮過夜
南美洲三天之行後
總統從巴拿馬返國
第一件要事就是與魏欣妮進餐
當總統的民意支持率下降
保守派和宗教團體就 大作文章
演藝週報參加好萊塢盛會
還會報導欣妮私生活第15天
最有價值的單身漢，名草有主嗎?
這位聽眾請說
露西呢？
有人關心這女孩嗎
我們能討論家庭價值嗎？
我們不能繼續…
總統的滿意程度
從三週前的63%下降8%
白宮該擔心以往他可以避免的人格問題嗎？
他們應該擔心
這對他的反犯罪法案有何影響
稍後將訪問魏小姐的初中同學
她願分享一些隱私
我完全同意你的看法
所以我才冒著嚴寒來談
你真是慷慨，錢我就收了
有什麼消息？
我有禮物，她有調查局案底
我老媽也有案底
可是這很精采
商務局前的示威活動
照片很老舊，臉看不清楚
但他們在燒國旗
魏欣妮就在前面
看來聖誕節快到了
哈利，不，哈利
你不想讓孩子呼吸清淨空氣？
謝謝你
你做的對
越來越近了
如何？
北卡州的泰瑞議員
你要去見汽車三鉅子？
他們下禮拜撥半小時見我
這些人是汽車工業的代表
又怎樣？
要汽油的車子
要是說服一個就能提高曝光率
我們得準備，叫點吃的如何？
不，我要到白宮吃飯
明天一早七點半再說
好，我要到克林姆宮吃午飯
晚安
我得趕飛機到莫斯科
晚安
全國槍械協會在威脅你嗎？
我們已經放鬆對攻擊性槍械
還有250種槍械的管制
你還不肯同意？
明天再說，募款晚會要遲到了
我會幫你說好話
你遲到了
我和聖路易的協調員談過
管理階層已罷工
行李工、駕駛和空服員，兩天後罷工
諾貝爾經濟學教授說過
聖誕節航空公司不能罷工？
我要去聖路易
你可以提早離開
謝了，A. J.
祝你好運了
自由動身了
總統先生，有空嗎？
他遲到了
上來，我們車上談
什麼事？
有點小問題
至少讓人挺頭痛的
是個良機
我們沒有先發現 我們發現了
下午五點多發現沒有用，六點新聞來不及改稿
你有十二名手下
這與我有關嗎？
對不起
已經上了晚間新聞
挺有破壞性
欣妮參加過示威，燒過國旗
今天？
十三年前
在商務局抗議南非種族隔離
讓我弄清楚
新聞會報導，當時我不是總統也不認識她
她參加示威行動，沒有犯法
抗議大家反對現已廢除的事
其他的新聞是什麼？
我們還是應該處理
不用處理
什麼？
打爛仗沒有贏家，會被淡忘的
這麼做不太明智
討厭，你已經受影響了，不如…
不，我今晚得和欣妮吃飯
太棒了，我喜歡
你的衣服這麼多，還向我借？
我老是穿裙裝，我想換禮服
試試看呀
還有耳環
喂？
嗨，你在幹嘛？
試穿禮服
真抱歉我得取消晚餐
有別的女人？
不是，我得去阻止航空公司罷工
這藉口真平常
謝謝你，我會再連絡
好吧，再見
真討厭，她在試穿禮服
我都告訴女伴
約會半小時前隨時會有變化
她覺得很浪漫？
我很有魅力
你看，卡門花店
我們得停車
什麼？
我買花給她
在這裡？ 現在？
取消約會男人都會這麼做
我認識的男人都不會
我跳下車到花店
跳下車？
他不能跳
不行跳車
我幫你買花
那就失去意義
讓他們搜查，以防萬一
難道花店知道我會來要暗殺我
有可能
不，你沒聽懂
聽清楚，在籃球賽上
對不起
是在球賽上，琪琪根本沒去
對不起
等等
我馬上來
我可能跟你通過電話
維州的山茱萸…總統
有印象嗎？
就是她，她記得我
總統有女友我很高興
姑且不管
她是自由派組織 請來的策略家
姑且不管有記者問起總統，他對這位女友在政策上
可能左右他的決定時 他都避而不談
更不用管她也愛和
美國民權協會的老友共商大計
還焚燒國旗
白宮沒有反應？
因為跟他做口舌之爭
沒有好處
路易和蘿萍呢？
這兩個緊張大師？
他們要我跟他爭論
他們很聰明
欣妮說你們很蠢
我沒這麼說
她懷疑你們的忠誠
我自己也常懷疑
等等，我最愛這句
我是巴伯魯森，我要競選總統
他不解釋，我還以為他在賣膏藥
他的支持率升高
他的這麼低只能升高
你的呢？
反犯罪案一過，就會回升到60%
週末有何打算？
我有事要辦，怎樣？
談判順利，航空公司不罷工
露西要到同學家過夜
你想怎樣？
去過大衛營嗎？
我常去，換了廚子後就沒去了
你在唬我，對吧？
對
週六有人會去接你
好，再見
再見
天啊
怎麼了？
你大學的成績簡直是超人
那麼多甲上，你好像電腦
還在看那本自傳？
〝薛普–白宮之路〞 ，我看完了
這是〝薛普前傳〞
七兆元通訊系統卻看不到球賽
女性研究你竟然得丙下
我以為那門課很有看頭
薛普總統在馬利蘭州例行體檢
醫師表示總統的健康良好
誰管呀？快報導球賽結果
同時共和黨總統候選人魯森
繼續攻擊總統的人格
在週六的節目“國會評論”中
魯議員暗示政治策略家魏欣妮
最近與總統的親密關係
讓白宮官員頗為頭痛
據說她為維州教師協會遊說時
曾以性交換取州議員選票
等等，這是很嚴重的指控
請搞清楚，這不是指控
我說謠傳一兩次可以，嗤之以鼻
但當多位州議員都出面證實
你能說出姓名嗎？
他在信口開河
真是抱歉
我們該叫她第一情婦嗎？
糟糕，我爸爸聽到了
他會聽而不聞的
他不是聾子，他都聽到了
我和妹妹也聽到了
好像只有你沒聽到
我不能為你跟無賴死纏爛打
我可以忍，這件事跟我無關
你怎能一聲不吭？
你怎能忍受口是心非的偽君子
我只連任一次，小不忍亂大謀
我要向你表白，不過會很零亂
所以請等我說完再回答
我很肯定我愛你
我也想跟你在一起
但也許我消失一陣會對你好些
反犯罪法案通過就會好些
如果你消失
我會找你
嗨，吉爾
總統先生，女人毀了大學足球
是真的嗎？
你留意亞特蘭大的狀況嗎？
沒有
她們要求女子運動獲平等待遇
我以為20年前已立法規定
可是她們要求真的實行
這是什麼世界？
沒錯，聖誕快樂
過來見見人
美國人情緒不穩
情緒不穩？
民意支持率從63%滑落到46%
你這數學博士卻怪民眾的情緒
要我解釋得用上圖表和黑板
我們三年來無眠無休
拜託你們放輕鬆點
今天是聖誕節
是嗎？
是啊，你沒看到備忘錄？
欣妮，聖誕快樂。 嗨，愛絲
欣妮，你好
聖誕快樂
聖誕快樂，你上哪兒了？
我在杜邦圓環塞車
我記不得該開那條車道
然後又被計程車司機破口大罵
今天是聖誕節
欣妮，你又在杜邦圓環塞車？
不好笑，請你宣告那裡是災區
我會考慮的
你到國會山莊幹嘛？
今天的會議真糟糕
我對三鉅子發脾氣
你去見汽車三鉅子？
我去推動環保法案
沒有利益？
勇者無懼
她都敢到煙草州推行禁煙
真慘
我也一樣
他們說總統的政策中
他們最反對反犯罪法案
恭喜，他們告訴我
他們寧願通過反犯罪法案
也不願通過環保法案
真的還假的？
真的，用的字眼都一樣
這三兄弟識字不多
我去喝酒壓驚，然後再狂歡
好
你還好吧？
我很好
我帶你去
謝謝
聖誕快樂，總統先生
你也是
剛才是真的嗎？
環保遊說家告訴總統和幕僚長
放棄環保法案能爭取到三票
環保遊說家什麼都沒說
欣妮跟男友和他好友吐苦水
事實還是一樣
如果她得到24票我們差三票
就能利用她的票源
我向她保證
你們談過條件，我和欣妮有協議
那是和全球環保會的協議
這純屬推論，我們不缺這三票
你的聲望繼續降低就很難說
聽說你老闆對反犯罪案有猶豫
謠言止於智者
這樣就好
我老闆是真的在猶豫
電話徵詢大家都關心環保
大選那天誰還管？
你才有工作
我要選民關心什麼，他們就照辦
所以我才有工作
她說服了潘議員
〝14天內還需4票〞
我知道你會支持
聽好，我一向都很喜歡你
可是那女人一定要過夜嗎？
白宮全力支持，減20%
差三票總統就能送到國會
凱蒂，十年內
內燃引擎車將成為古董
歡迎加入，您的車將成收藏品
不管制攻擊性槍械
法案做過修正
法案不是重點
我的對手很強
總統的勢力大不如前
他還是能為你助勢，交給我們
可是總統的聲望一落千丈
他沒有一落千丈
各位
我不能投這一票
我們四處碰壁，得想想辦法
我再做民意調查
以欣妮為調查主題
對
不問欣妮的事就毫無意義
好吧，就這麼辦
真好吃，謝謝
還有嗎？
一大堆，我以為你不喜歡
別傻，我當然喜歡
其實是保鑣說很好吃
我答應要替他們打包
你不喜歡
我很喜歡
你說謊
沒有
你說謊
你的表情很怪
你幾時見過我表情很怪？
我見到你兩天前
你在革命女兒的聚會上演講
我在場
你在場？
講詞你還記得嗎？
不太記得
我們無法假裝美國社會很美好
沒錯
這句話後面應該還有話
你怎麼知道？
我說過，你的表情
乾杯! 乾杯!
要慶祝什麼？
我只剩兩票就成功了
兩票？
潘議員支持我們
他還拉來辛議員和凱議員
幹得好，欣妮
還沒結束呢
不論如何你都該感到自豪
等你簽署這項法案時，我才自豪
是啊
安迪
你又有那種表情
結果如何？
挺糟糕
有多糟糕？
41%，都因為人格問題
別跟我說這些
路易和誰通話？
傑瑞，他想力挽狂瀾
你是國會議員
不會停留在41%，會回升的
一定會回升的
喬治，議員
傑瑞議員
喬治，聽我說，事關重大
這是你和總統的私人交情
你要怎麼決定？
是嗎？
告訴你吧，我們會成功的
勝利那天，我會上館子大吃一頓
然後寫下你們這群懦夫的名字
路易
憑良心投票，你這膽小鬼
我們失去傑瑞
如果他在猶豫，你的脾氣就太壞
我是路易，馬上把昆議員找來
昆議員也不支持
他有理由嗎？
他認為你的支持率不會回升
我們還差三票
到今天早上，欣妮只剩一票
汽車三鉅子很緊張，有機可趁
記者希望你宣布反犯罪法案
放棄環保法案
換取他們的三票
我們就宣告勝利
逼不得已才這麼做
我們無計可施了，只剩48小時
一定還有三票
沒有 亂講
一定有 是真的
史托奇
什麼？ 史議員呢？
他不支持
總統先生…
華格納呢？ 不行
索伯？克拉克？ 不行
印第安那州那位
他也不支持
我們得放棄環保案
她還差一票
第一次真正有機會通過這法案
她應得這機會
〝她〞應得的？
你是指〝它〞吧
〝這條法案〞應得這機會
路易，閉嘴
你有話要話嗎？
恕我直言
我們該檢討民意調查結果
他們不喜歡我和欣妮交往？
沒那麼簡單
這次調查把問題搬上檯面
誰的問題？你的嗎？
你怕丟差事？
調查與能力無關
這是針對我的私生活
二億六千四百萬人民
這些人關心自己的生活
你說夠了
總統先生
你幾乎獨力撫養女兒
她非常優秀
為何這七週來過半的美國人
會質疑你的家庭價值？
他不必跟你解釋
要，我是美國公民，他是總統
我能質疑他，這也是我的責任
你應該很清楚，總統先生
因為你比誰都深愛這國家
過半的美國人質疑你的愛國心
對你有何意義？
如果民眾只願聽…
他們別無選擇，只有魯森在講
當真正的領導者默不吭聲
誰出面發言他們都聽
他們需要領導人物
不惜爬向海市蜃樓尋找泉源
找不到水他們寧願吃沙
以往曾有總統深受愛戴
可是講起話來卻結結巴巴
人民不是因為口渴而吃沙
而是因為他們分不出好壞
總統先生，環保案怎麼辦？
拿來換票
是的
我想正式為我排擠你的事道歉
我不知道你在排擠我
我想我對你有很強的敵意
我不知該怪誰
我不好說什麼…
我怪過母親和前夫，沒什麼用
老索要見你
叫他來，大家在慶祝
他要單獨見你
不能等嗎？
他跟麥肯尼通過話，事情有變
晚安
很好聽
我有進步
真的是
欣妮怎麼了？你們吵架嗎？
什麼意思？
她好像很生氣
你見到她？
她在這裡
哪裡？
你房裡，她為什麼生氣？
別擔心
你惹她生氣嗎？
繼續練習
如果是，你應該道歉
女孩子會喜歡
欣妮
你看到一件灰色毛衣嗎？
沒有
我打到你辦公室
要貝絲的，我要帶走
你要上哪兒？
回家，然後去哈特佛
康乃狄格州？
對，你送去乾洗了嗎？
去康州幹嘛？
芮理查競選總部可能會請我
你幾時決定換新工作？
在老索炒我魷魚之後
貝絲會殺了我
他為何炒你魷魚？
沒有達到我的工作目的
我說他很不合理
我和總統跳支舞上過他座機
這些環保人士老是不滿
空氣太壞水源太髒
上〝時人雜誌〞封面都不夠
我打電話給他
你要親自打電話給他？
總統親自打電話？
太好了，你應該跟他談條件
叫他再請我嚇嚇那些議員
讓他們以為你要推動不利法案
我是你馬子，他們會信以為真
這次可能沒用，我已失去信用
不過也許我能重施舊計
好讓你通過偉大的反犯罪案
五歲小孩買衝鋒槍前，要等三天
去她的毛衣，她得習慣失望
你知道是怎麼回事？
當然知道，我被利用了
你的聲望滑落，法案不能通過
我就被議牲
環境被犧牲，不是你
執政就得選擇優先順序
我承認，我以反犯罪法案為優先
恭喜，你花三年完成一項
阻止不了犯罪的法案
欣妮，求求你
我不想因這事失去你
你的問題比失去我大得多
你失去我的選票
她去哈特佛幹嘛？
她可能去幫芮理查競選
十二號球進角袋
哈特佛，保險業之都
祝你愉快，欣妮
我安排這週末讓你好好休息
你是我褓姆嗎？
不是 很好
你再不長大，我就得幫你擦屁股
什麼？
路易沒錯，反駁魯森
他說謊嗎？
什麼？
這七週來魯森有說謊嗎？
說謊？
除了弄錯學校外他有說錯嗎
我難道不是從沒服過役嗎？
我不反對立法禁燒國旗嗎？
我沒跟自由派遊說份子上床嗎
你認為你有錯？
指責半數美國人可贏不了大選
要打有把握的仗
要打必須打的仗
你躲在幕後挺涼快的嘛
你說什麼？
二十五年來你從未參選過
你為何老在我背後當黑手？
沒有我，你只能在大學裡教歷史
去你的
叫路易把國情咨文放在我桌上
是的
如果瑪麗沒死
三年前我們會贏嗎？
我們會贏嗎？
三年前爭論人格問題，我會贏嗎
不知道
不過我會喜歡這種爭論
如果我老友安迪 能參與就更好
是啊
總統覺得爭論人格毫無意義
他願證實"他是民權協會會員"嗎
他願意
早安
沒關係，請坐
幾個月來魯森參議員
表示當總統跟人格很有關係
我不願對他的攻訐有所回應
我上任三年零三天
我可以毫不遲疑地說
擔任美國總統，絕對與人格有關
我要公開承認
我是民權協會會員
更重要的是，魯森為何不是？
這組織以維護權利典章為目標
這位參議員、共和黨領袖以及總統候選人
為何拒絕維護美國憲法？
各位比我聰明，也許知道原因
因為不久前我才搞清楚
治理美國並非易事
民為邦本，民主並非一蹴而幾
人民必須克服萬難
若要享受言論自由
就得容忍與你意見相左的政敵
在台上鼓吹你終身反對的政見
若美國是個自由國土
她的象微就不該只是面國旗
她的象徵應該是讓國民
有在示威中燃燒國旗的權利
請在課堂上傳授並維護這自由
然後才能大聲歌頌自由國土
我認識魯森多年
他老是搖旗吶喊，徒勞無功
因為他不清楚實際狀況
不，他不是不清楚狀況
他只是無法說服別人
我們的問題很多
需要認真的人來解決
不管你有什麼問題
我敢保證
魯森絕對沒興趣幫你解決
他只對兩件事有興趣
他只會危言聳聽和怪罪別人
各位，這樣才能贏得選舉
你針業沉迷於美好過去的
中產階級中年人士
激起他們對道德和人格的關切
然後找出總統女友的舊照片
告訴他們都是她的錯
然後上電視罵她是婊子
魏欣妮沒有得罪你，巴伯
她完成教育，維護教師利益
為自然資源遊說
你想爭論人格還是找我吧
因為你遠比不上魏欣妮
我這生愛過兩個女人
我因為癌症失去一個
我一心想連任卻忘記治國真諦
又失去另一個
現在起我要專心治國
明早白宮要將
455法案送交國會表決
這項能源法案規定
未來十年將減低20%燃料廢氣
這是目前為止防止全球加溫
最積極的方案
另外一項是反犯罪法案
今天 我要將這項法案完全捨棄
我要重新寫一項合理的法案
不管制槍械就無法防止犯罪
我認為槍械威脅國家安全
我願挨家挨戶說服美國人民
將槍械全數收回
嚴重的問題，需要認真的執政者
你想討論人格，巴伯
就別挑焚燒國旗的小問題
你想討論人格和道德問題
只要通知我，我絕對奉陪
現在應該認真討論問題
我是安德魯薛普，美國總統
這種講詞千載難逢
記者都絞盡腦汁想好話
快通知印刷廠
國情咨文要重寫
現在情勢不可同日而語
你有三十五分鐘
很好，我以為時間很趕
不要禮車、隨從
我只要一輛普通的轎車
我一定借得到雪佛蘭車
五分鐘內給我找一輛來
你要上哪兒？
到她家，她不讓我進去，我決不走
得不回她我就不走
你要怎麼得回她？
不知道，不過一定會苦苦哀求
你要開車去？
我指揮世界最強的軍力
難道不會開車？
別開到杜邦圓環，現在會塞車
嗨，A. J.
魏小姐，你好
我會在羅斯福廳替路易打氣
我聽到你的講詞
我在車上
結果就開到這兒來
我很高興
欣妮…
我不是為了贏回你才把455法案送交國會
我也不是為此回你身邊
總統先生，你看看
嗨，欣妮
嗨
我把社會福利挪到前面
財務部長想跟你談談
嗨，欣妮
總統先生…
抱歉，魏小姐
麥高小姐正趕來
我有點事要處理
沒錯
薛普總統，馬上就開始國情咨文
你曾擔任數位總統閣員
總統上場前都會做些什麼事？
認識你之後，我想親自送花給你
我試過好幾次，不過都有困難
這裡
這是送你的
好美
總統先生
我得走了
我該留下來嗎？
跟我一起去
你最後怎麼辦到的？
辦到什麼？
以總統之尊，親自送女孩鮮花？
我發現白宮有玫瑰花園
議長先生
美國總統
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
Liberty's moving.
The 10:15 has been moved to the Indian Treaty Room.
- Ten-fifteen is American Fisheries? - They're giving you a 200-pound halibut.
Janie, make a note. We need 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 the 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 handguns paragraph.
SHEPHERD: This is a time for prudence, Lewis.
LEWIS: But, sir, that was the 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.
Sixty-three percent job approval.
LEWIS: That is good news. - Morning, Mr. President.
- Charlie. - Morning, Charlie.
LEWIS: Sir, the press is gonna need an explanation.
SHEPHERD: For what? - You dumped the whole kick-ass section.
Now we've just got this thing hanging out there.
There's this "thing"?
"Americans can't afford to pretend they live in a great society"...
No explanation, no context, just this thing.
- And it's hanging out there. - Yes, sir.
- Maria. MARIA: Morning, sir.
- Did they tell you I'll need the consumer... - Overall consumer spending.
- We'll have it in 15 minutes. SHEPHERD: Thanks.
- Mr. President, we need to focus on... - Lewis, reduce your morning coffee by half.
I don't drink coffee, sir.
Hit yourself over the head with a baseball bat, would you?
LEWIS: Yes, sir. - Happy birthday, Laura.
- Laura, happy birthday. - Thank you.
- I should send her flowers. - You did, sir.
- Good. CHAPIL: Good morning.
- How are you today, Mrs. Chapil? - Fine, thank you.
Mr. Kodak left a detailed breakdown of the approval poll for you.
He seemed to indicate that it was good news.
Sixty-three percent of it, at any rate.
Lucy called. You forgot to sign her permission slip for her class.
Uh, the museum trip. I'll get it.
- What time's she getting home? - Three-twenty.
- How's my afternoon? - Very crowded.
Schedule some time at 3:45.
[SPEAKS IN SPANISH]
SHEPHERD: Too Tall McCall. So how was Mexico?
[IN ENGLISH] I didn't truly appreciate it...
...till I discovered that America isn't a great society.
- He dumped the whole section. - There's this, uh, thing hanging out there.
Not a great society, sir?
With you away it wasn't. Now that you're back we're great again.
Well, the press is saying, "What did he mean by that?"
A.J., did you get one of these?
Is that the letter from Solomon at the GDC?
It's from the environmental community. These people are out of control.
Well, they're frustrated.
Are they blaming the president for global warming?
Well, they don't think he caused it.
I'm on the phone with them twice a week. I honestly don't know what they want.
They want a 20 percent reduction in fossil-fuel emissions.
- Won't pass at 20 percent. - Well, we haven't really tried.
Lewis, McSorley, McCluskey and Shane hold too many markers.
If we try to push this through and lose...
...there'll be a loud thud when we hit the ground.
That's not what you want in an election year.
Talk to GDC again, A.J.
Tell them I resent the implication I've turned my back on the environment.
Tell them I'll send 455 to the floor...
...but I'm gonna ask for a 10 percent reduction.
They wanna pull their support, fine.
With a 63 percent job approval rating, I don't need their help.
- Good deal. - All right, let's get going. Where's Leon?
John, will you call Mr. Kodak and tell him the president's waiting?
JOHN: Oh, sorry, my fault.
Never mind, John.
Excuse me.
- Morning, Mr. President. SHEPHERD: You all right?
They keep moving that big ficus plant.
[ALL CHUCKLE]
We're all here, Mr. President.
Okay, first of all, I wanted to say congratulations.
Three years ago we were elected by one of the narrowest margins in history.
And today Kodak, here, tells us...
...63 percent of registered voters think we're doing a good job.
Wait. You wanted me to poll registered voters?
[ALL CHUCKLE]
The poll also tells us what we already know:
If we don't get our crime bill through Congress...
...those numbers are gonna be memory.
So, starting today, we're shifting it into gear.
- Can I tell the press that gun control... A. J: Crime control, Robin.
Gun control means we're wimps and soft on crime.
- Hang on. - Lewis.
We're not putting back handgun restrictions?
No. We're leaving them out.
Mr. President, we campaigned on this issue.
We took them out in the low 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 percent out for a spin. Let's see what it could do.
We can't take it for a spin. We need it to get re-elected.
For reasons passing understanding, they don't relate guns to gun-related crime.
Robin, you can brief the press this afternoon. As of today...
...the crime bill is priority one on the president's domestic agenda.
- Got it. - Leon, you run the war room.
We're gonna need detailed projections for all the target districts.
Oh, and, Leon, don't be the nice, sweet guy from Brooklyn on this.
Do what the NRA does.
- Scare them? A. J: Exactly.
I can do that, heh.
Lewis, you're legislative liaison. You're gonna run the show on the hill.
Can I just say 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.
Yes, sir.
A. J: We want to announce the crime bill...
...at the State of the Union, 72 days from today.
Last notice count put us 18 votes short.
Eighteen votes in 72 days. Thank you, everyone.
ALL: Thank you. - Janie, what's next?
Security briefing, sir.
[HORNS HONKING]
[PHONE RINGS]
WOMAN: Morning, Global Defense Council.
You wanted to see me?
- I just got off the phone with A.J. - The president read the letter?
The president's pissed. That letter was a stupid move.
- We should stand by every word of it. - This isn't the guy...
...who needed our help four years ago. He's incredibly popular.
He's gonna win re-election. He could give a shit what we stand by.
If he passes the most important piece of environmental legislation in history...
...despite our negative endorsement, our political weight in the future...
...will rank somewhere below the Save the Spotted Owl Society.
I'm bringing in some help.
Heh, we don't need another expert to confirm what everyone already knows.
Not an environmental expert.
A professional political strategist.
We are playing hardball with Andrew Shepherd and we need a heavy bat.
- Who? - Sydney Ellen Wade.
Gah, christ, she doesn't know the first thing about the environmental lobby.
She's a closer, Susan. She gets the job done.
SHEPHERD: What if I lose this?
LEWIS: Then move this up here.
Sasser from the Times called.
Wanted to know what a "great society" was.
What'd you tell him?
I can't speak for the president, but for my money, Bermuda.
Perfect.
Your cousin Judith got the flu and won't be able to join you Thursday night.
I'm sorry to hear that. Remind me to call her later.
Yes, sir.
- You're gonna go stag? - Not a problem.
No, we've never gone wrong parading you around as the lonely widower.
I can't believe I said that.
That was a thoughtless remark.
I wouldn't never dream of insulting you or your wife's memory.
That's okay. Forget it. What time is it?
It's 3:30, sir.
I'm gonna go up and say hi to Lucy.
Ah, you have the attorney general at 4 and the trade rep at 4:30.
And you promised NPR five minutes.
- Mr. President... - Robin...
Don't worry about it.
[TROMBONE HONKING]
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. - Yeah, well, you're doing just fine.
- What you got behind your back? - I have a little surprise for you.
- Is it a dirt bike? - No, ha, ha.
Hmm.
Is it a really old, seventh grade textbook of yours...
...that you want me to read and discuss at dinner and drive me crazy with?
Well, I'm not comfortable with the "really old" part, but the rest was true.
[LUCY GROANS]
Understanding the Constitution.
Your social studies teacher said you'll be studying the Constitution this week.
Wait, you talked to Mr. Linder?
Yes, it's called a parent-teacher conference and Mr. Linder and I were the key players.
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 and enthusiastic.
Mr. Linder says you never participate unless he calls on you.
Even then, it's a one-word answer.
I don't know, Dad. I guess I'm just not...
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 perfect union"... - It grabs you right away.
This is a page-turner.
I can't wait.
Well, good. It's possible this subject may come up at dinner.
Do you see it as part of your job to torture me?
No, just one of the perks. See you tonight.
Yeah.
[PLAYING "HAIL TO THE CHIEF"]
The C-STAD hardware's been in place for a month.
We have 22 instructors from the Army Air Defense School...
...waiting to go and train the Israelis.
How soon can you deploy them?
We can airlift them by 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.
[MEN CHATTERING]
MAN: Good night, gentlemen. - Thank you.
- Good seeing you. Good night. - You too. Good night.
Have a good evening, Mrs. Chapil. Janie, I'll see you tomorrow morning.
- You will. - Good night, Janie. Night, Mrs. Chapil.
- Mr. President, sir. - Thank you.
[SHEPHERD SIGHS]
Leo Solomon brought in a hired gun at the GDC.
- 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, heh. - Ha, ha.
Ten percent. Don't let them leave the room till they're clear about that.
A. J: Yes, sir.
If you've got a free second, stop in and say hello.
It might smooth the way.
SHEPHERD: Mention it to Janie tomorrow. A. J: Good deal.
SHEPHERD: Let's clear this off the table and focus on the crime bill.
I don't want to just win. I want to win by a couple of touchdowns.
We will, Mr. President.
- A. J? - Sir.
Robin said something to me today...
...and I know she wouldn't have said it if, uh...
I mean, she wasn't saying it to me, I realize.
- Forget it. I'll see you in the morning. - Good night, Mr. President.
- A. J? - 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, A.J.
- Hi. I'm Sydney Ellen Wade. - He needs your driver's license.
- From Virginia. - He doesn't care.
- I'm meeting with Mr. Maclnerney. - He doesn't need to know that.
Oh, forgive me.
This is my first time at the White House.
- I'm trying to savor the Capra-esque quality. - He doesn't know what that 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 them dead.
Thanks.
We'll start subsidizing private schools the day 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 look at it. We'll revisit it next week.
Jerry, say hello to Linda for me. Have a good Thanksgiving.
Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you.
- How are we doing? - You're four minutes ahead of schedule.
- Ahead? - Yes, sir.
That's unprecedented. I don't know what to do with myself.
- Mr. Maclnerney asked me to remind you... - Oh, the GDC meeting. Yeah.
Rest assured your concerns are not falling on deaf ears.
The environmental lobby has known no greater ally than President Shepherd.
Hardly an impressive distinction, A.J.
Sydney, we should leave Mr. Maclnerney alone now. He's already...
He doesn't want us to leave him alone...
...because Mr. Maclnerney has not yet done what he needs to do today.
Sir, uh, Miss 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 asked me yesterday, I would've told them...
...that it was made up of six professional hockey teams.
[ALL CHUCKLE]
But what I do know is that it's time for the president to run for president again.
Kodak is as good as it gets when it comes to electoral strategy.
I'm sure he's told the president what I'd tell him:
Grab Michigan and California, where they make cars, planes and burn fossil fuels.
But if I'd read these 800 pages I would've discovered...
...that the burning of fossil fuels is responsible for global warming...
...and the 20 percent reduction recommended by the GDC...
...is a step toward arresting the catastrophic greenhouse effect...
...which has gone unchecked by this administration.
SUSAN: It's time to... - The chief of staff won't let us leave...
...until he's broken the bad news.
I'm afraid Sydney's right, although not about Michigan and California.
The president asked me to convey to you he's sending his energy bill to the floor...
...with a call for a 10 percent reduction.
The president is willing to go it alone on this...
...but he's asking... Frankly, he's expecting the full support of the GDC.
He is expecting our full support?
- Yes, he is. - The president's dreaming.
The president has critically misjudged reality.
If he thinks the environmental community...
...is gonna whistle a happy tune while rallying support...
...around this lame mockery of environmental leadership...
...just because he's nice and 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.
- Morning, Mr. President. How are you? - Couldn't be better.
My apologies for the interruption. A.J. 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'm speechless.
All evidence to the contrary.
Mr. President, we haven't met. I'm Susan Sloan.
I used to work with Congressman Myers. I hope this incident won't jeopardize...
Sydney?
- Yes, sir. - You have a second?
Uh, of course.
I thought maybe we might talk in private, someplace less intimidating.
- Janie. JANIE: Yes, sir.
This is Janie Basdin, my personal aide. Show Miss Wade to the rec room, please.
This way.
I'll be with you in a second.
[CLOCK TICKING]
Sorry to keep you waiting.
- Mr. President... - 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 vanity run amuck.
I was showing off for a colleague who doesn't think much of me.
It would be a real injustice 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 I'm mad at you?
Well, I...
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.
Now, I'll grant you that.
When the city planners sat down to design Washington, D.C., their intention was...
...to build a city that would intimidate and 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 percent, sir.
It's not gonna pass at 20 percent. It's a long shot at 10.
How do you know that, until you put the White House behind it?
Sydney, at 20 percent...
...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 wanna have a doughnut, coffee or something?
Sir, I'm a little intimidated by my surroundings and yes...
...I have gotten off to a rocky and 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 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 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.
[CHUCKLES]
McSorley, McCluskey and Shane know we're moving on the crime bill.
They're circling the wagons on assault weapons.
Should I meet with them?
- 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, A.J. At ease.
- Would you get away from the pocket? - I beg your pardon, sir.
Nine ball in the corner.
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 ours.
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.
[A.J. CLEARS THROAT]
Three in the side.
Did she say anything about me?
- Miss Wade? - When she called.
Did she say anything about you?
We had a nice couple of minutes together. She threatened me, I patronized her.
We didn't have anything to eat, but, uh, I thought there was a connection.
- Hmm, excuse me, sir. - Sure.
Thirteen in the corner.
She didn't say anything about me?
No, 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, Edith Galt.
He dated her, courted her, 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 arrangements that will ensure total privacy.
I don't want you to get me a girl. What is this, Vegas?
No, sir. This is the White House.
I'm talking about something that is not a conflict with my oath of office.
I'm a single adult. I met a woman who I'd like to see again socially.
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.
- We're talking here about five points? - Could be more.
I'd drop five points if Wisconsin doesn't make it to the Rose Bowl.
Five ball in the corner.
Want me to have Kodak put together some numbers so we know?
Yeah. Yeah.
No. I don't want a checkup 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...
...Americans have a funny way of deciding what is and what is not their business.
I like her, A.J.
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 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.
[CHUCKLES]
Pssh, the president must think I'm a third-rate jerk.
If he thinks you're a jerk, he thinks you're a first-rate jerk.
I'll 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 made it 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.
You gonna throw that at me the rest of my life?
That's my current plan, yes.
[PHONE RINGS]
Oh, that's gonna be Leo Solomon. He said he'd call at 9.
- Hello? SHEPHERD [OVER PHONE]: Yeah, hi.
Is this Sydney?
- Leo? - No, this is Andrew Shepherd.
Oh, it's Andrew Shepherd.
Yeah, you're hilarious, Richard. You're just a regular riot.
No, this isn't Richard. This is Andrew Shepherd.
Ah, 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 got my number, given the fact that I don't have a phone.
- Good night, Richard. - Uh, this isn't Rich...
[LINE DISCONNECTS]
This used to be easier.
[PHONE RINGING]
- I can't believe this. - 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 [OVER PHONE]: 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.
[LINE BEEPS THEN RINGS]
SHEPHERD [OVER PHONE]: Hello?
Mr. President, heh, um...
Uh... Uh, 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 don't quite know how to word it.
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 any time you want. This is fine, right now.
When I said "of course not," I meant...
Know what? The hell with it. I'm moving to another country.
What did you mean when you said you didn't have a phone?
Oh, I just moved here 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.
Because 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?
I was thinking of the Internal Revenue Service.
They have these computer files that, uh...
Well, I, ahem, 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, uh, you're under no obligation of law, but I thought it might be fun.
I was wondering if maybe you wanted to go...
...with me and, um...
Well, that's it. That's why I was calling.
Sydney?
- Sydney, Congress doesn't take this long. - Mr. President...
[CHUCKLES]
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.
This is just dinner. We're not going to be doing espionage or anything.
No, of course, ha, ha.
I'm a little, um... Uh...
What do I do? Ha-ha-ha!
I mean, you know, where do I go? I mean, will you meet me?
I'm gonna have a very nice woman named Marsha Bridgeport call you.
She's the White House social secretary.
She's gonna help you with anything 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.
[CHUCKLES]
- Of course. - And I'll see you Thursday night.
Mr. President, thanks for asking me, really.
- This is a first for me. - Me too.
Okay, who's on Indiana? New people? I can't remember your names.
Raise your hands if you're on Indiana. 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."
He was undecided. How did you get the fence pole out of his butt?
Wish I could take credit. He says, "Lewis, I support the president 100 percent.
Not the bill, the president."
We're gonna win this. 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. - One thing at a time.
We don't have time to do one thing at a time.
DAVID: Yeah, hi. It's David in Sydney Wade's office.
Yeah, I'll hold.
I'm from Sydney Wade's office. I wanna confirm her lunch with the congressman.
We can do with a little party leadership.
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.
- Brock's on board. DAVID: Terrific.
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?
What do you have, big date tonight?
[PEOPLE CHATTERING]
Senator, Senator Rumson, if I can have a moment with you, sir.
Certainly.
I'm standing here with Senate Minority Leader Robert Rumson...
...one of the many guests arriving at what, for the next few hours...
...will be a nonpartisan 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?
It's a long time till November. Right now I'm looking forward to a pleasant evening.
Thank you, senator.
That's a little tight, Luce.
It's supposed to be. It's supposed to make you look regal.
Is it supposed to cut off 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... 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.
Okay.
[SIGHS]
You know, I'm a little nervous.
You'll be fine. Just be yourself.
Be myself?
Yeah, and, um, compliment her shoes.
Her shoes?
Yeah. Girls like that.
Okay. Thanks.
- Thank you. - Miss Wade?
- Oh, hi. - Good evening.
The president would like you to join him in the residence.
- May I show you the way? - Of course.
[SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]
[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. - Heh.
You know my wife, Esther.
- Nice to see you again. - Sydney.
Andrew Shepherd. We spoke on the phone.
Yes, sir. I remember.
- Excuse me one minute. A. J: Ha, ha.
The president told me how you two met, Sydney. I think it's priceless.
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, allow me to introduce to you Sydney Ellen Wade...
...of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
This is President René Jean D'Astier and...
...his wife, Monique Danielle D'Astier, of France.
- It's a great pleasure to meet you. - 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.
I've got to do a thing at the bottom of the stairs, but you'll be escorted...
- They took me through it. - Oh, good.
Do you do this often, sir?
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, just in case.
I meant do you go out on, uh... Do you often...
- Do I date a lot? - Yeah.
No, how about you?
Me? Well, lately I seem to be going out on a lot of first dates.
- You're experienced at this. - You could ask me anything.
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, I wanted to be different from the others.
MAN: Ladies and gentlemen, the president of the United States.
By the way...
MAN: Accompanied by... - Nice shoes.
MAN: The president of France and Madame D'Astier.
[BAND PLAYING "HAIL TO THE CHIEF"]
[JAZZ MUSIC PLAYING INDISTINCTLY]
[PEOPLE CHATTERING]
[ALL SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]
- Mr. President? - Yeah?
The president and Mrs. D'Astier look bored.
They're not talking to anybody.
- They're hammered. - Ha, ha.
- 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.
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
Sydney, I don't suppose that...
[SPEAKING IN FRENCH]
That's my date.
[SPEAKING IN FRENCH]
[IN ENGLISH] Really?
[SPEAKS IN FRENCH]
You didn't dissolve our trade agreements, did you? Heh.
Heh, 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.
[IN ENGLISH] I told Miss Wade that, in my country...
...a guest of 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 bet no one accused Louis of being soft on crime.
[ALL LAUGHING]
- There's a lesson there, Mr. President. - More beheadings at the White House.
Bob Rumson would embrace it.
Yes, I'm sure he would.
I have a better idea.
Would you like to dance?
Ah.
Yeah, I guess.
I mean, yes, sir...
...I'd love to.
They're dancing.
[SIGHS]
[IN LOW VOICE] I don't know how you do it.
- It's Arthur Murray. Six lessons. - Ha-ha-ha.
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 1: Does the setup here work? MAN 2: How's it going?
- Good morning, Mrs. Chapil. CHAPIL: Morning, Mr. President.
Mr. Rothschild and Miss McCall are in the office.
They said they need to speak with you.
Janie, can you get me the number of a local florist?
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.
- Sir, is there a problem... - I want to send some flowers.
I want to do it myself. I don't want to staff it out. No executive orders.
I just want a phone number.
I'll get it for you right away, sir.
- Morning. ROBIN: Good morning.
We need five minutes of your time.
SHEPHERD: I'll be with you in two minutes.
I just need to make a call.
Thank you, Janie.
Who are we calling, sir?
The Organization of United Brotherhood of It's None of Your Damn Business.
- I'll be with you in a second. - Yes, sir.
[SIGHS]
Yeah, hi, good morning.
How do I get an outside line?
[DIALTONE]
Well, 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. Uh...
Hang on, please.
Janie, what is the state flower of Virginia?
- Mrs. Chapil, state flower of Virginia? - The dogwood.
The dogwood, sir.
Thank you.
It's a dogwood.
Really?
Ah, hold on, please. Ahem.
Janie, the dogwood's a tree, it's not a flower.
Actually, it's a tree and a flower.
- Are you sure? - Yes. What's going on?
JANIE: 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. Now, it's important...
SHEPHERD: Janie, do you know where my credit cards are?
They're in storage in Wisconsin with the rest...
...of your personal items. - All right.
Perhaps it would be better if you bill me. I'm sure it'll be all right with your boss.
I don't know if you recognize my voice, but, uh, this is the president.
Of the United States.
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.
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. - You wanna tell me how my personal life...
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.
You spent 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-up's table.
You have a chance to get everything you want:
Run a national campaign, be a major player inside the party.
This relationship 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 time it'll take 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 sent me something perishable?
It's for Miss Wade.
- 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...
The messenger waited 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.
[CHUCKLES]
[LAUGHS]
What is it?
- A ham. - A ham?
[LAUGHS]
He sent me a Virginia ham.
Dig it, Miss Wade, you're the president's girlfriend.
There's never an egg timer around when you need one.
Thanks.
ROBIN: They'll be pressing today...
...if we're prepared to soften the assault weapons section of the bill.
There's no need to entertain that at this point.
How do you want me to handle the Sydney issue?
"The Sydney issue"?
We should have a consensus on how the White House will handle it.
I certainly hope "the Sydney issue" refers to a problem we're having with Australia.
- If it's anything other than that... JANIE: Ahem, Mr. President...
Miss 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.
Uh, thanks for seeing me on such short notice.
No problem. Did you, uh, get the ham?
Ha, ha, yes, I got the ham.
I wanted to send you some flowers, but there appear to be kinks in the system.
I'm so glad you stopped by. I had such a good time last night.
- So did I. Um, it's just that I... Um... JANIE: They're 45 seconds away.
I have a luncheon speech at the governors' conference. I'm sorry.
- Are you free for dinner tomorrow evening? - Dinner?
Casual, in the residence...
...without the United Nations. - Heh.
My daughter will be there, so it may seem like it.
- I'd love to meet Lucy... - She'd love to meet you. Excuse me, Jeff...
Actually, I have some concerns that I...
JEFF: Yes, sir. - I can't do this.
- Robbins or Stackhouse? - Either. I have to be in and out.
Stackhouse needs 10 minutes. I think it's about the assault weapons.
He wants to talk about grazing rights. Trust me.
I'm sorry. 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?
Ha, ha, you like to make jokes about this...
I'm not mocking you. I'm just a guy asking a girl over for a meal.
[HELICOPTER WHIRRING]
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.
Put that way, it doesn't sound good to me either.
Have dinner with Lucy and me. It's meat loaf night.
- How presidential can that be? - Uh...
Seven-thirty?
Mm.
Mm-hm.
- Hi. Are you Miss Wade? - Hi. 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 I should behave myself and entertain you until he gets back.
Ah. 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. - Heh, all right.
- Well, who's he on the phone with? - The Prime Minister of Israel.
- They're probably not discussing his teeth. - I hope not.
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
They're discussing that abbreviation I can never remember.
- Mm, 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, 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.
[LUCY SHOUTING]
[JAZZ MUSIC PLAYING ON SPEAKERS]
[ALL CHATTERING]
A. J: Congressman...
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.
Press like him. 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.
The character debate didn't work for us.
Because it couldn't.
Our polling told us that attacking him less than a year after he'd lost his wife...
...was gonna be a turnoff, 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 CHUCKLE]
You'll have to forgive my friend.
He was on a hunting trip. He's been cut off from the world.
Why? What's going on?
The president's got a girlfriend.
So 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.
They're doing a mock congress.
Each kid plays one of the original delegates and they debate the amendments.
What's not fun?
- Good night, Dad. - Good night, sweetheart.
- It was nice meeting you, Sydney. - It was nice to meet you.
- 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 wouldn't 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 CHUCKLES]
It's not the "Dish Room."
Yes, it is. It's the room with, uh, 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 a book you can get.
There are about 7000. Heh, 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 going to be a lobbyist...
...and you're always going to 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.
MAN: Mr. President.
We have a secure call from the Sit Room.
Excuse me.
- I'm sorry, ma'am. - Oh, no, of course.
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 Miss Wade out?
MAN: The response scenario's in place.
The F-18s 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.
Libyan I.H.Q. Looks like it's in the center of Tripoli. What else are we going to hit?
Nothing, unless we miss.
- Are we gonna miss? - No, sir.
- How many people work in the building? - We went through this.
How many people working in the damn building?
I have the numbers here, Mr. President. There are three shifts.
The fewest. What shift has the fewest people? The night shift?
By far, sir. Mostly custodial staff...
What time does the night shift start?
They're on now, sir.
A. J?
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.
[THUNDER RUMBLING]
A. J: Once our planes have cleared Libyan airspace, you can call the press.
But I don't know when we'll have the full B.D.A.
- General Rork says around 0800. A. J: 0800?
Sir, what do you think about a national address?
Last thing I want to do is put the Libyans center stage.
LEON: Well, I think it's a great idea.
You know Rumson is 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's working a night shift at Libyan Intelligence Headquarters.
He's going about doing his job...
...because he has no idea in about an hour he's going to die in a massive explosion.
He's just going about his job...
...because 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 CHATTERING]
Mary?
MARY: Is there anything about the C-STAD system...
...that could have been mistaken 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.
Sir, there's an unconfirmed report that you were with Sydney Wade...
...when you learned of the attack. Comment?
- Yes, we had just finished dinner. - Get him off.
Last question.
Sir, would you care to comment on your relationship?
We don't have a relationship, we just had dinner. Thank you.
Did she spend 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.
[REPORTERS SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]
That was my fault. We should have prepped you.
There's nothing that needs prepping. A. J?
Let's meet with the leadership after we meet the Security Council.
Newsweek is begging for 10 minutes today. Any 10.
Nobody gets 10 minutes today.
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.
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.
He has never served one day in uniform.
BETH: 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. - 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?
[PHONE RINGING]
Answer the phone.
- It's him. - Answer the phone.
He's gonna ask me come over.
- Answer. - I don't want to go.
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.
Not as tough as some. Want a drink? Let me take your coat.
Mr. President, this isn't gonna work.
- Sure it will. Button the top button... - That's not what I mean.
- I didn't think it was. - I've really enjoyed our time together...
...this has "catastrophe" written all over it.
Please, Mr. President, don't pursue me outside the political arena.
I have no intentions of pursuing you inside of it...
...and that leaves everything out and that's unacceptable to me.
If I were on your staff...
...I'd tell you that the worst thing you can do, coming into an election year...
...is open yourself to character attacks. The quickest way to do that...
...is to prance around like the playboy of the Western World.
Let's clear up a couple of things here. Number one, I seldom prance.
Number two, I have no intention of engaging in a character debate.
- Number three, you're not on my staff. - But if you'll follow the immutable...
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 does it matter how much I make?
You raise your voice to the president?
Ugh, I'm only thinking about the health of your presidency.
You know this morning's press conference won't 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 when most couples first get together, they're 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 those place settings were provided by the first ladies.
I'll bet none of those first ladies...
...were nervous about having sex with their president husbands.
And 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 moment? - 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.
If you want, hang up your coat.
Then I'll fix us a drink...
...we'll sit on the couch, and I'll explain to you my plan.
SYDNEY: 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.
It's not always going to be that way.
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 slowdown plan.
No, you explained it great.
Are you nervous?
- No. - Good.
My nervousness exists on several levels.
Number one, and this is in no particular order:
I haven't done this in a pretty long time.
Number two, 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.
Remember that it's a political distinction that comes with the office.
I mean, if, uh, Eisenhower were here instead of me he'd be dead by now.
- And number three... - 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.
[PHONE RINGING]
Yeah. Ahem.
Put him through.
Lewis, it is 5 a.m. You've got to get yourself a life, man.
Yeah.
All right.
- Sydney. - Hi.
Uh, what are you doing?
Uh, I wanted to leave the building before the press corps got here.
I have those same thoughts every day of my life.
[SYDNEY CHUCKLES]
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 ON DOOR]
Come on in, Lewis.
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.
[KNOCKING ON DOOR]
- They know my car? - Good morning, Sydney.
- I came as soon as Lewis called. - Oh, thank God.
Let's not look like we're panicking.
See, the important thing is actually not to be panicking.
[KNOCKING ON DOOR]
- Morning, Mr. President. - Morning.
- Morning, Miss Wade. SYDNEY: Hello.
I see everyone's getting an early start today.
How do we exit Sydney from the building and, uh, what do we say to the press?
- We need a diversion. - A diversion?
I'm not suggesting that we burn the White House.
Oh, please, let's do.
I state clearly that I can't be party to anything illegal.
Good for you.
It's always the guy in my job who ends up doing 18 months...
...in a minimum security prison.
- Rest easy. We won't create a diversion. - No diversion.
- Somebody will take you home. A. J: Esther's over in my office.
- She has the station wagon standing by. - 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 leave it at that.
I tell you what, Lewis. We just did.
- But, sir... - Thank you, 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, A.J.
Heh, 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 know.
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
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.
Great.
- Bye. - Bye.
All right. Okay. This is good.
SYDNEY: What about an incentive program?
REPORTER 1: Sydney Ellen Wade, the political strategist...
...who accompanied President Shepherd to last week's state dinner...
...spent the night at the White House as a guest to the president.
REPORTER 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.
REPORTER 3: Conservative and religious family organizations...
...are starting to smell blood in the water...
...as the polling numbers of the president are dropping.
MAN: Can you tell us how they met?
REPORTER 4: 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?
MAN [ON RADIO]: All right. Next caller, you're on the air.
WOMAN [ON RADIO]: 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... REPORTER 5: Political analyst, Ed Earl.
With the president's job approval taking an eight-point dip...
...from his personal best of 63 percent three weeks ago...
...should the White House be concerned that the girlfriend...
...has left Shepherd vulnerable to the questions...
...he was able to avoid three years ago?
EARL: They sure ought to be concerned.
REPORTER 5: How much will this new wrinkle affect his ability...
...to put together a win on his crime bill?
REPORTER 6: We'll take a commercial break.
When we come back, we'll meet a junior high-school classmate of Sydney...
...who has some intimate details to share.
RUMSON: I agree with you 110 percent, Mrs. Harper.
That's why I'm up here in the dead of winter...
...talking about it with you folks. Ha-ha-ha.
That's very generous of you. And I'll be taking...
...that money off your hands right now.
What've 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.
[SING-SONGY] 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.
Hey, Syd. I, uh, saw on your schedule...
...you're meeting with McSorley, McCluskey 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? DAVID: Cars, you understand...
...run on gasoline.
Hey. I know it's a long shot.
But if I can get one of them, it'll be a huge payoff in visibility.
If we're gonna try, we should do some prep work. Want to, uh, order in?
Uh, I can't. I'm having dinner at the White House.
- Uh, so let's start early tomorrow. Say, 7:30? DAVID: Okay.
I'm, uh, 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 plane to Moscow.
Good night, David.
[THUNDER CRASHES]
Douglas, does the NRA have videotapes of you playing golf with Satan?
We've 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?
Uh, we'll 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.
Excuse me, I spoke with the federal mediator in St. Louis.
Management walked off. Baggage handlers, pilots...
...and flight attendants are getting set to walk out in 48 hours.
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 St. Louis.
- You can leave straight from the fundraiser. - Thanks, A.J.
Good luck, Mr. President.
Liberty's moving.
- Mr. President. Can we have a moment? JANIE: He's incredibly late.
Hop in, we'll talk in the car.
SHEPHERD: What is it? LEWIS: We have a small problem.
ROBIN: It could've been small. It's a medium nightmare.
LEWIS: It's an opportunity. ROBIN: It could have been if we'd caught it.
- We caught it. - At 5:45.
It doesn't do me any good. Network news is in make-up.
- Twelve people work for you... - Guys, do I have to be here for this?
Sorry, sir. Uh, 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.
Uh, let me see if I got this.
The third story on the news...
...was that someone I didn't know 13 years ago, when I wasn't president...
...went to a demonstration where no laws were broken, in protest of something...
...that so many people were against, 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...
SHEPHERD: Don't deal with it.
- Excuse me? - Trying to get us to swing at the dirt.
Nobody wins these fights. It'll go away.
LEWIS: Sir, I'm not sure that's the wisest course of action.
SHEPHERD: Hell. ROBIN: It's already distracting you.
SHEPHERD: 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 everything.
Well, work clothes.
I always wear a suit at the White House. I thought a dress would be nice.
Go ahead. Try it on. I brought earrings too.
[PHONE RINGING]
- Hello. SHEPHERD: Hi, what are you doing?
Uh, just trying on dresses.
I feel terrible, but I'll have to cancel our date tonight.
SYDNEY: Another woman? - Heh, no.
I've gotta go to St. Louis to avert a massive airline strike.
If I had a nickel for every time I heard that one.
Thanks for understanding. I'll call you later.
Okay, bye.
Oh, I hate doing that. She was trying on dresses.
LEWIS: I tell any girl I'm going out with...
...to assume that all plans are soft until she receives confirmation...
...30 minutes beforehand. - And they find this romantic?
I say it with a great deal of charm.
Look! There it is! Carmen's House of Flowers.
- Coop, we gotta stop. LEWIS: What?
I gotta get her flowers.
- Here? - Now?
That's what men do when they break a date.
That's not what men do. I don't know men who do that.
I'm gonna hop out at the flower shop.
- You'll "hop out," sir? - He's not hopping.
No hopping, sir.
- Stay in the car. I'll get the flowers. SHEPHERD: It's not gonna be personal.
LEWIS: Let them do a security sweep. We don't know who's in there.
The florist is planning an assassination on the off-chance I might stop 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. Kiki wasn't even there.
- Excuse me? - Ha, ha. Ugh, hold on.
I will be right with you.
SHEPHERD: I don't know if you're the one I talked to on the phone...
Virginia, dogwood, president...
Does any of this ring a bell?
Same girl, she remembered me.
RUMSON: 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 5th...
...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 her ACLU pals...
...and to set American flags on fire.
No reaction from the White House.
SHEPHERD: 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, heh?
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. SYDNEY: I didn't say that.
- She's questioning your loyalty. - 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.
Glad he cleared that up because the crowd was about to buy some Amway products.
His numbers are climbing.
Sydney, his numbers have nowhere to go but up.
SYDNEY: What about yours?
Ugh, we'll be back up in the 60s once I get the votes for the crime bill.
So, what are you doing this weekend?
Uh, I've got work I was going to bring home. Why?
Well, negotiations are going pretty well.
Looks like the nation's going to keep on flying and, uh...
...Lucy's spending Saturday night at a friend's house.
What do 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.
Ha, ha, yes.
I'm gonna have somebody pick you up on Saturday morning.
Okay. Bye.
Bye.
SYDNEY: Mm, good God. SHEPHERD: 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. Ha, ha.
Still reading that ridiculous biography?
No. I finished Shepherd: Road to the White House.
Now I'm on to Shepherd: The Early Years.
SHEPHERD: Seven trillion dollar communication system at my disposal...
...and I can't find out if the Packers won. - Oh, Andy. C-minus in Women's Studies.
That course wasn't about...
...what I thought it was going to be about. - Ha-ha-ha.
MAN [ON TV]: President Shepherd was in Maryland this week...
...for his routine physical exam.
Doctors at Bethesda Naval Hospital pronounced him in excellent health.
Who cares? Just give us the scores.
REPORTER [ON TV]: 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 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 caused the White House headaches for two months...
...may have traded sexual favors for key votes in the Virginia State Legislature...
...while lobbying for the Virginia Teachers Association.
- That's a heck of an accusation to make... - I'm not saying...
Let me be very clear. I'm 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... MAN: Can you give us names?
- He's making this up as he goes along. - I'm so sorry, Sydney.
I don't know what we call her. The First Mistress?
Oh, man. My father heard that.
He's just gonna have to turn a deaf ear.
My father doesn't have a deaf ear. He hears fine out of both.
So do I and so does my sister and so does my friends.
You're the only one who...
I can't challenge a school bully to a fight because he picks on my girlfriend.
I'm not asking you to. I can take care of myself. It's not about me.
How can you keep quiet?
How do you have patience for people who claim to love America...
...but clearly can't stand Americans?
I have one election left. I don't have the luxury of losing my patience.
I, um... I want to say something to you but I'm going to fumble it a little bit.
So, please, just wait till I'm done before you respond.
[SIGHS]
I'm 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.
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
SHEPHERD: Hi, Gil. GIL: Mr. President...
Um, Mr. President, militant women are out to destroy college football in this country.
SHEPHERD: Is that a fact? GIL: Yes, sir.
Have you been following the situation down in Atlanta?
No. Uh, these women want parity for girls' softball, volleyball, field hockey...
If I'm not mistaken, the courts ruled on Title IX about 20 years ago.
Yes, sir, but what I'm saying now is these women want that law enforced.
- It's a world gone mad. - It is, sir.
- Merry Christmas. - Merry Christmas.
Come meet some people.
LEON: You see, the country has mood swings.
LEWIS: Mood swings? LEON: Yeah.
Nineteen postgraduate degrees in math and your best explanation...
...for going from a 63 to 46 percent approval rating in five weeks...
...is mood swings?
Well, I could explain it better, but I'd need charts, graphs and an easel.
Fellas, we haven't slept in three years.
Can't we forget about work for one night and 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.
A. J: Hello, Sydney.
Merry Christmas, A.J.
And a merry Christmas to you. Where have you been?
I got stuck on Dupont Circle.
[ALL CHUCKLE]
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 that it's my fault.
Come on, it's Christmas.
Hi, Syd. Did you get stuck on Dupont Circle again?
[ALL LAUGH]
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?
Oh, I had a terrible meeting today.
I totally lost my cool with McSorley, McCluskey and Shane.
Heh, 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 for the American Lung Association.
- It was a disaster. A. J: You're in good company.
I sat with them. They said there was nothing on the domestic agenda...
...they were more committed to defeating than the crime bill.
Well, congratulations, fellas.
Because McSorley told me the only thing on the domestic agenda...
...that they were more committed to defeating was the fossil-fuel package.
- You're kidding? SYDNEY: 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. Then I'll have some Christmas spirit.
Okay.
Are you okay?
I'm fine, yeah. Heh, 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 tell the president and the chief of staff...
...that three votes on the crime bill can be bought...
...by sticking the fossil-fuel package in a drawer?
No, GDC's political director didn't tell us anything.
Sydney Wade told her boyfriend and his 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, there's maneuvering to be done.
- I made a promise. - You made a deal.
- I made it with Sydney. - With the GDC.
It's all academic. We won't need those three votes.
Sir, if your approval rating continues to drop, things are going to get tight.
I've been hearing rumors that your boss is wavering on the crime bill.
Heh, I wouldn't listen to rumors. You know this town.
That's what I wanted to hear.
I'll tell you, my boss is starting 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, uh... That's why you have a job.
Congressman, 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.
[CHEERING]
LEWIS: It was our understanding we had your support.
Look, I like you, boy. Always have.
But for God's sake, does the woman have to spend the night?
We've got the full backing of the White House, Katherine.
Yes, at 20 percent.
Three more votes. The president sends it to the Hill.
Katey, Katey...
Ten years from now, any car with an internal combustion engine will be a collectible.
Come onboard. 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.
The president's coattails aren't what they used to be.
The president's coattails will have room for you. You just leave that to us.
We left that to you and now the president's in a free fall.
LEON: I wouldn't say he's in a free fall... - Fellas.
I just can't give you my vote.
A.J., the well is drying up. He's gotta make a move or we'll die fast and quiet.
So, what if I do a detailed, public-opinion poll?
- And we put Sydney in the new model. - Right.
A.J., it's meaningless unless we ask them about Sydney.
All right, fine. Let's do it.
[PEOPLE CHATTERING]
[OPERA MUSIC PLAYING ON RADIO]
Mm. Mm. Oh!
It's delicious. Thank you.
- Is there any more? - Tons. I didn't think you liked it.
You kidding? Of course, I did.
It's not for me. The agent who checked the food thought it was delicious too.
I told him I'd bring him some.
- So you didn't like it. - No, I loved it.
- You're lying. - No, I'm not.
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 gave 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. - How did you know that?
I've told you, the face.
- Cheers. - Cheers.
Ooh, wow! Mm.
What's the occasion?
You're looking at a lady who's two votes shy of the promised land.
- Two votes? - I got Pennybaker.
- That got me Cass and Zimmer. - That's great. That's great work, Sydney.
Well, I'm not there, yet.
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. ROBIN: How bad?
Forty-one. Character, across the board.
Oh, come on, George, don't tell me that!
- Who is Lewis on with? LEON: Jarrett.
Trying to keep his fingers in the dam.
You're supposed to be a United States' Congressman.
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 going to be?
Yeah.
Yeah. Yeah, all right. Can I tell you something?
We're gonna win this thing. We'll get the votes and we'll win.
You know what I'm gonna do that very night?
I'll go to Sam and Harry's and order a big steak...
...and make a list of everybody who tried to fuck us this week!
- Lewis! - Yeah, well, just vote your conscience...
...you chicken-shit lame-ass!
We lost Jarrett.
I hope so. 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.
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.
The Motown Three have gotta be scared blind.
I don't think there will be a better opportunity.
The press expects an announcement on the crime bill by the State of the Union.
If you agree to stick 455 in the drawer until after the elections...
...they'll give you the three votes. ROBIN: And we declare victory, sir.
We said, "as a last resort."
We're there, sir. State of the Union is 48 hours away.
- There must be three votes someplace. LEON: There isn't.
- Bullshit! There's gotta be. LEON: There isn't.
- Storch. - Beg your pardon?
- What about Storch? - No, Storch is a "no."
Mr. President...
- Wagner? LEON: No.
- Sobel? Clark? - No. No.
Not that Clark. The one from Indiana.
That one too, sir.
Mr. President. I think we have to do this.
A.J., 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?
"The legislation" deserves every opportunity.
- Lewis, shut up. - You have something to say to me, Lewis?
Respectfully, sir...
We should examine the new poll for something more...
- They don't like me going out with Sydney? - It's not that simple.
I think 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!
- Two hundred sixty-four million people... - They don't give a damn about your life.
- They give a damn about their own! - All right, that's enough.
[LEWIS SIGHS]
Mr. President...
You 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 percent of this country...
...has begun to question your family values?
- The president doesn't answer to you. - Oh, yes, he does. I'm a citizen.
This is my president.
In this country, it's 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 percent of Americans have begun to question your patriotism?
- If people want to listen... LEWIS: They don't have a choice!
Bob Rumson is the only one doing the talking.
People want leadership. 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...
...and if 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.
Mr. President...
What do you want to do about 455?
Make the deal.
A. J: Yes, sir.
[PEOPLE LAUGHING]
I just want to go on record and apologize for my attitude towards you...
...since your arrival. - I didn't notice. Was there an attitude?
Well, I think that, uh... That I have a lot of pent-up hostility...
...and I'm wondering who I should blame that on.
I'm not qualified to...
I've been blaming it on my mother and my ex-husband...
...and, well, that doesn't seem to work. - 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.
It can't wait?
He just got off the phone with Maclnerney. There's been a development.
Good evening.
[LUCY PLAYING TROMBONE]
Sounds good.
- It's progressive. SHEPHERD: I'll say.
Dad, what's wrong with Sydney? Did you have a fight?
What do you mean?
LUCY: She seemed pretty mad. - You saw her?
- Yeah, she's here. SHEPHERD: Where?
In your room. Dad, why's she mad?
Don't worry about it, honey.
LUCY: Were you a dork? - Practice your music.
If you were a dork, you should say you're sorry.
Girls like that.
Syd?
SYDNEY: Did you see a gray cable-knit sweater?
Gray sweater? No.
I called you at the office today.
It's Beth's. I wore it here one time. I didn't wanna leave it.
- Where are you going? - I'm going home. Then to Hartford.
- Connecticut? - Yes. Did it go with your dry cleaning?
What's in Connecticut?
Uh, Richard Reynolds' campaign. He may be able to get a job.
When did you decide to get a new job?
Not long after 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 dance with the president and ride in Air Force 1 a couple of times...
...but those prickly environmentalists. There's always something.
If it's not clean air, it's clean water.
Like it's not enough that I'm on the cover of People Magazine.
I'll call him.
You'll call him? You'll call him yourself?
It will come from the president?
That's a great idea. You should call Leo and make a deal.
He hires me back for 72 days.
I go around scaring Congress...
...making them think the president will drive through a damaging and costly bill.
They'll believe me because I'm the president's Friday-night girl.
I don't know if we can dip into that well twice. I've lost all credibility.
But you never know. I might be able to pull it off again.
I might give you the leverage you need...
...to pass some ground-breaking piece of crime legislation.
A mandatory three-day waiting period before a 5-year-old can buy an Uzi.
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 won't prevent crime.
Syd, please.
I don't want to lose you over this.
Mr. President, you've got bigger problems than losing me.
You just lost my vote.
What's in Hartford?
Richard Reynolds' district office. She might run his campaign.
Twelve in the corner.
Hartford, the insurance capital of the world.
Have a good time, Syd.
I'll have Janie clear your schedule for the weekend. You need to get some rest.
- You handling me? Good. - No, sir.
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 sharing a bed with a liberal lobbyist...
...down the hall from his daughter? - You think you're wrong?
You don't win by telling 59 percent of them 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, A. J?
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?
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.
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 is no value in this kind of character debate.
Will the president respond to Senator Rumson's question...
...about being a member of the American Civil Liberties Union?
Yes, he will. Good morning. It's all right. Please keep your seats. Good morning.
[REPORTERS MURMURING]
For the last couple of months, Senator Rumson has suggested...
...that being president of this country was to a certain extent about character.
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, 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...
...because 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, 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 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 is 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-income voters...
...who remember with longing an easier time. You talk to them...
...about family and American values and character.
Then you wave an old photo of the president's girlfriend, scream patriotism...
...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 interest of public-school teachers...
...and lobby for the safety of our natural resources.
You want a character debate, Bob?
You better stick with me...
...because 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 because 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 percent 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 can't 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'll convince Americans that I'm right and I'm gonna get the guns.
We've got serious problems and we need serious people.
If you want to talk about character, Bob...
...you'd 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.
[ALL SHOUTING]
Well, you don't see that every day.
He's got the whole press corps asking how to spell "erudite."
- Call the printer. - We gotta rewrite the State of the Union.
A. J: Every word. It's a whole new ball game.
You have exactly 35 minutes.
Oh, good. I thought it was gonna be rushed.
I don't want a limousine, I don't want an escort.
I want a plain ordinary, non-bulletproof automobile.
Well, somebody around here must have a Chevy I can borrow.
Well, find one and have it outside the West Wing entrance in five minutes.
A. J: Excuse me, sir, where are you going?
I'm going over to her house. I'm gonna stand outside her door till she lets me in.
I'm not leaving until I get her back.
And how are you going to do that, sir?
I haven't worked that out yet. But I'm sure groveling will be involved.
You're just gonna drive over?
I'm commander in chief of the most powerful army in the world.
You don't think I can drive 10 blocks?
Just, uh, stay away from Dupont Circle. I hear it's murder this time of day.
Hi, A.J.
Nice to see you, Miss 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.
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.
Mr. President, you might want to...
Hi, Sydney.
Hi.
I moved Social Security up front.
Mr. Leventhal at Treasury wants two minutes. Hello, Sydney.
Mr. President? Excuse me, Miss Wade. Miss McCall is on her way over, sir.
Well, I got some...
...things to do.
Yes, you do.
REPORTER: We're only a moment away from the arrival of President Shepherd...
...and his State of the Union address.
You've served on the staffs of several past administrations.
What kind of last-minute activity is the president engaged in right now?
There's something I've 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...
...these are for you.
[CHUCKLES]
They're beautiful.
Ahem, Mr. President?
Well, I've gotta go.
Uh, should I stay here?
Walk with me.
SYDNEY: 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.
MAN: Mr. Speaker. - Heh.
The president of the United States!
[INAUDIBLE DIALOGUE]
[English - US - SDH]