I need you to tell me now: Do you think she's already dead?
If they show me a picture of her alive and tell me to aim cruise missiles at Tel Aviv, they're counting on the fact that a father--
There are people around you who won't let you.
How about a picture they've got a knife to her throat; get out of Saudi Arabia?
You shouldn't think of images like that.
All I can think of are images like that...Leo, the people you just named don't have the legal authority to stop me from doing certain things, and some of them would go to jail if they didn't follow my orders. Very quietly, I want you to assemble the Cabinet. I want you to call the Speaker of the House.
[to his twin newborns] I didn't realize babies come with hats. You guys crack me up. You don't have jobs, you can't walk or speak the language, you don't have a dollar in your pockets, but you got yourselves a hat, so everything's fine. I don't want to alarm you or anything, but I'm Dad. And for you, son, for you this will be the last time I pass the buck, but I think it should be clear from the get-go that it was Mom who named you Huckleberry. I guess she was feeling like life doesn't present enough challenges to overcome on its own. And honey, you've got a name now, too. Your mom and I named you after an incredibly brave, uh... An incredibly brave woman. Really not all that much older than you. Your name is Molly. Huck... and Molly. So, what do I do? Well, you're going to need food and clothes and doctors and dentists... there's that. And should you have any questions along the way... I'm going to be doing stuff like this, Huck, 'cause you're leaking a little bit out of your mouth there. You holding my finger, son? Hey Molly, your brother's holding my hand. You wanna hold my hand?
Franz Ferdinand, who was the nephew of the Austro-Hungarian emperor, was killed by a group called the Black Hand. And because they were a Serbian nationalist society, the empire declared war on Serbia. Then Russia, which was bound by a treaty, was forced to mobilize, which meant that Germany had to declare war on Russia. Then France declared war on Germany, and that was World War I. Because the emperor's nephew was killed. Now I thought you all had some good ideas, but somebody ought to make it clear to the people in this room that someone is in charge.
I think we made a mistake.
Letting the President step aside.
Have you been watching CNN, MSNBC? Even FOX is treating it as a seminar on the resiliency of the Constitution.
The President's daughter is probably tied up in the back of a gas station. We have no idea how this is playing.
He showed he's a leader, nobly embracing his own flawed humanity.
Lincoln and Kennedy had children who died. They didn't take a sabbatical.
Congressional leadership.
Lincoln never got a ransom note from Jefferson Davis. He's putting country before family. I'd carpet bomb Mecca to get my kids back.
What if they like Walken better? What if he seems more presidential? What if they want Walken to stay?
In a few days, President Bartlet turns the second letter over to Congress.
What if it doesn't take a few days? What if it takes a few weeks, a few months? What if she's never found?
What are the chances Zoey Bartlet's still alive?
Hard to say, but I think yes she probably is. They'll want to milk this for all its worth.
Get your people in place, Admiral. We don't go today unless we're provoked. [to Casper] Find her and find her fast. But if Zoey Bartlet turns up dead, I'm going to blow the hell out of something, and God only knows what happens next.
You work for the President. He's going to need you down there.
I work for you, sir. Someone else can show him where the Xerox paper is.
You do a lot more than that.
Thank you, sir, but I'd prefer to stay here with you.
They didn't try to cover their tracks?
MCMike Casper
No, sir. They don't care if we know who they are. They don't plan on being alive in a few days.
What do you want to hit, Admiral?
AFAdm. Fitzwallace
Kazir training camps.
MDr. McNally
The Qumaris say those are religious schools.
AFAdm. Fitzwallace
They're terrorist training camps masquerading as religious schools. We traced Kaleel to Zachari Faruk, leader of the camps.
MDr. McNally
Villages, hospitals, a food distribution center.
AFAdm. Fitzwallace
We're suggesting AGM-88 HARMs. We'll hit what we're aiming for.
MDr. McNally
This is a long-term ally in a highly volatile region.
AFAdm. Fitzwallace
Bombing Tripoli stopped Libya.
MDr. McNally
It's more likely to strengthen the resolve of the terrorists and topple a moderate Islamic regime.
If we bomb the camps, don't the kidnappers murder Zoey Bartlet?
Or it sends a message: kill her or don't, the United States does not negotiate with terrorists.
BSBob Slattery
Our European allies are going to go crazy. They have billions tied up in oil and natural gas pipelines in Qumar.
Screw the Europeans. They've had years to get the Qumaris to get their house in order. What are the chances Zoey Bartlet's still alive?
Hard to say, but I think yes she probably is. They'll want to milk this for all its worth.
Get your people in place, Admiral. We don't go today unless we're provoked. [to Casper] Find her and find her fast. But if Zoey Bartlet turns up dead, I'm going to blow the hell out of something, and God only knows what.
DWDemocrat Woman
Walken can spend his entire presidency channel surfing in the Lincoln Bedroom. You said to the country, Democrats can't handle security.
DMDemocrat Man #1
If you want to save a spotted owl, vote Democratic. If you want your kid saved, sorry, we'll be doing the crossword.
President Bartlet is protecting kids by ensuring that decisions are made based on relevant intel, not on a distraught father's clouded emotions.
DWDemocrat Woman
If any emotions are clouded, Leo, it's yours. Let's face it, Leo. You've always been too close to Bartlet.
DMDemocrat Man #2
It's your job to buck him up, Leo. To help him make the tough decisions. The presidency isn't a vanity exercise.
Who's doing electoral math on the back of a napkin in the middle of a national crisis?
DWDemocrat Woman
You single-handedly ended the Imperial Presidency.
DMDemocrat Man #1
You've elevated Walken and the Republicans. You've made them into genuine players on the world stage.
I didn't elevate them. The Presidential Succession Act of 1947 did. And I'm not prepared to think about politics while we're under terrorist attack. The Republic comes first. That's why Truman wanted the Speaker third in line.
DWDemocrat Woman
Truman wanted the Speaker third in line because he used to drink bourbon with Sam Rayburn.
The only thing I find extraordinary about that is that a member of the executive branch actually wanted to share a drink with a member of Congressional leadership. [standing up] Thank you for coming by to show your concerns. And I'll be sure to pass them on to President Bartlet.
You're campaigning in the middle of a national tragedy....
AAtwood
You don't get it, do you? The Republicans are in awe of Bartlet. He recused himself in the only way he could. In the way envisioned by the Constitution... The whole notion of the 25th Amendment is that the institution matters more than the man. Bartlet's decision was even more self-sacrificing because he willingly gave power to his opposition.
The institution may matter more, but it's your guy protecting it, not ours.
AAtwood
A truly self-sacrificing act usually involves some sacrifice.
So, now you're going to nail us to the cross.
AAtwood
No. You beat the terrorists at their own game. We're not stupid, Josh. We try to use this to our advantage, it will blow up in our faces. We'd seem callous and unfeeling. In contrast to Bartlet's extraordinary gesture of courage and patriotism. And anyone who thinks otherwise has a particularly craven way of looking at politics.
