The Contender (2000) Edit

A cancer of disloyalty.

A cancer of liberalism.

A husband following around behind his wife is perceived as a puppeteer.

A little bit of wishful thinking thrown in, I think.

A little bit, actually.

A mantle of gigantic responsibility...

A new birth of national honesty...

A perfect example of the need for this institution...

A sandbag is what it is. He's fucking your friend.

A short while ago, you told me that you thought I might be the future of the party.

A smooth confirmation.

A woman better be pretty damn qualified to have nobody to answer to...

A woman will serve in the highest level of the Executive. Simple as that.

Abortion isn't a constitutional issue.

According to our records, you spoke to her on the 15th.

Actually I'm a representative. Reginald Webster of Delaware.

Actually, we just had dinner, but thanks.

After this, everything will be on our side.

Ah, the kid. Met him. You know this young congressman, Webster?

Ah, were you married at the time?

Ah, yes, Will.

Ah! Why do you say that?

Al.

All of Cheyenne is with her.

All right, sir. I'm sure the senator can handle Mr. Webster.

All right, thank you.

All right. Then after he's made... Dave.

Always stayed in, never folded. Always wanted that miracle card.

And asked you, Have you no decency, sir?

And asked you, Have you no decency, sir?

And at that age and experience, you think you're the one to sit and judge Mrs. Hanson?

And barring that, you could've at least told me.

And believe this, there are traitors among us.

And damn it if you don't have the fastest confirmation on record.

And decency.

And erudition at the hearings that none of us know she has.

And every citizen on this planet to boycott...

And for the first time...

And he zings another powerful forehand past Laver.

And how many times in how many positions...

And I believe that that is a cause worth dying for.

And I cannot accept Senator Hanson's withdrawal.

And I cannot and shall not vote for a candidate simply because she's a woman.

And I do not need God to tell me what are my moral absolutes.

And I had never been away from home, not really.

And I have none of that now, but that's okay...

And I hope to serve up to the standards which President Evans set for me in that introduction.

And I say...

And I see his thing, and...

And I think she's a real fine choice. Anybody that knows her knows that.

And I will also do so privately when she allows me to do so.

And I'd like to put my name forward.

And I'm just stumbling around.

And I'm not talking about those of you who sided against your party leadership.

And I'm now calling for an immediate vote of confirmation of Laine Hanson.

And if it's not relevant for a man, it's not relevant for a woman.

And it is especially saddening for me because...

And it isn't.

And it's the job of you two to make sure that confirmation gets through.

And just in time for it to stick in the minds of Americans over the weekend.

And Laine Hanson is not that.

And Larry Bellows, affidavit, I guess, that you got from Webster.

And like any other sorority, they have an initiation, a rush.

And now, everything you have ever achieved will be eliminated...

And Runyon is going to come after me with all guns blazing.

And she has inspired me to act alike...

And she knew that she'd been fucking him.

And sometimes in this process...

And suffer the humiliation, or... or we can just move on.

And that, Madam Senator...

And that's good, that's healthy.

And that's when the sorority kicked in.

And the first guy, he slips his towel off.

And the future is uncertain...

And the reason that I stand for that is the same reason that I believe our forefathers did.

And then she had this look of helplessness.

And they have this girl, this woman that Runyon deposed, Patty LaVamere.

And they will forgive you, but they will not forget.

And this president.

And Toliver, he's as much as told me...

And what I say, the people will believe. And you know why?

And when you do file suit, know that it comes with my full support.

And whether or not the affair that Will and I had...

And you always will be.

And you are who you are.

And you can roll starting now.

And you do it full well with the knowledge...

And you know, I am not free of blame.

And you must be one Timothy Hanson.

And you were to have a child during your term.

And you'll be able to say to them, your kids and grandkids...

And you're gonna look up at my painting...

And you're gonna mope around like some 12 year old girl who can't get a date to the dance?

And, Congressman, you know the senator, of course.

And, Mr. Chairman, I stand for the separation of church and state...

And, uh, I think she'll do a real good job.

And, uh... Oh...

Anwar Sadat?

Anything else, I would've withdrawn your name.

Anyway, some real bad luck, your being right there.

Appalling and disgusting behavior?

Are just that.

Are voting on what to have for dinner.

Are you accusing the committee of sexual McCarthyism?

Are you asking me to step down, sir?

Are you gonna dump her?

Are you saying you would appoint a Supreme Court justice...

Are you suggesting Mrs. Hanson may not be your first choice for vice president?

Are you suggesting the senator, the nominee, had an affair with your husband?

As a personal favor.

As a Republican, did you ever...

As for Laine Hanson...

As long as it doesn't threaten the administration.

As that of an idea whose time has come.

At least for once, the press is turning one of us into a hero.

At least you have your life. There's nothing sinister going on here.

At the risk of my own future, I tell you this:

At the same time, the House will... Come in.

Baby, power is where power goes.

Based on his being pro choice?

Because despite it all, you've got some odd sense of fair play.

Because he'd find out that when it comes to Laine Hanson...

Because I did what was in my heart.

Because I'd love to see you. Is your wife in town?

Because I'll have a very big microphone in front of me.

Because I'm obsessed with beating my 150 average.

Because it's not okay for them to be made.

Because of half truths, lies and innuendoes.

Because someday, years from now, you're gonna come in here with your family...

Because there's one thing you don't want.

Because those two conflicting leadership traits...

Because we cannot have a fairy tale govern a nation.

Because we must stomp out genocide on this planet...

Because, with this horrible filth...

Before taking this matter up.

Before the D.A.R. Banquet tomorrow night.

Before then, I need you to marry yourself to this guy.

Before we get started...

Better than that. Between Jackson and Laine.

Between the nominee and several students from Harvard University.

Between wanting to fish and having time to fish.

Bleeding is so swift and severe, it wouldn't matter if Jesus put His healing hand on the wound...

Bottom line. You put your ass on the line out there. This guy from the Post...

Box of Malomars says they've already anointed Malloy.

Bravo to you.

Built it in '65.

But after the heroics that have become the stuff of national legend...

But also against the remarkable look alike who appears in these disgusting photos.

But apparently he does know right from wrong.

But he's got the world thinking you're something out of a bad soap opera.

But I don't know if she was fucking them.

But I not only served on the Foreign Relations Committee...

But I say, There's no chance.

But I will do whatever you say.

But I'm not confirming a woman just because she's a woman.

But I'm very pleased to think that I might be able to help make things a little smoother.

But if that's what you guys are thinking...

But if we're forced to take the voters out of the equation...

But in this business, with so much at stake...

But it will get you the vice presidency.

But Laine Hanson will not be confirmed.

But my personal life...

But politics is also the extension of war.

But principles only mean something if you stick by them when they're inconvenient.

But rather than boring you with my résumé...

But see, it really wasn't any of your business either, and it still isn't.

But six beers later, I'm talking a different tune...

But so help me God...

But that does not mean I do not go to church; I do go to church.

But that's her, man.

But the president didn't consider it important enough to ask me personally?

But there is no weapon as powerful...

But they have served the greater good and they have been honest.

But they want to embarrass you in the process.

But to actively attack her from the bench, that's another.

But to protect our government from the grasp of religious fanaticism.

But traitors to the necessary end result:

But while it is a law, it should be enforced without consideration of rank...

But with Will...

But you cannot walk out on the will of the American people.

But you cannot walk out on the will of the American people.

But you did everything you could possibly do to save her.

But you know, Sheldon Runyon and Jack Hathaway have been friends for years.

But you remember what Ben Franklin said about the vice presidency.

But, Jesus Christ, if this isn't the tea to end all teas.

But, sir, the sexual allegations were made very public today by Congressman Runyon.

But... Well, it doesn't make a difference.

By pulling out her brilliance...

By the way, sir, I was real impressed with your graciousness...

Can I interrupt for one second? We're all set with America Live.

Can't have any more obstacles put in front of us.

Can't hear... Yeah, right, got it.

Careers crushed, families destroyed.

Cheyenne, Wyoming, you're on with Vice President Designate Laine Hanson.

Christ! What the... Governor! Governor! Jesus!

Churchills, probably Mandela.

Clausewitz said that war is the natural extension of politics.

Come on!

Come on.

Confess and demonstrate to the young women of America...

Confess and preach about the dangers that alcohol can bring to you.

Confirm my nominee, heal this nation...

Congressman! Congressman! Mr. Runyon.

Could not live as one within her body or her soul.

Could we put together a grilled cheese sandwich? Muenster on rye.

Could you tell us, what were those irreconcilable differences?

Country needs a smooth confirmation.

Cynthia C H A R L T O N Lee.

Damn fine one, as I understand it.

Daughter of a big time Republican doing a frat house?

Destined to make the kind of changes in this country...

Did the nominee know Mr. Hanson was married?

Did you get the AP reports?

Did you have financial disagreements or disagreements over how to raise your kids?

Dignity! Right.

Divorce. Right. I've read your divorce papers.

Do you plan to take maternity leave?

Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you God?

Do you think her a murderer?

Do you think that Senator Hanson is morally fit to take office?

Don't answer it, please.

Don't tell me we're gettin' sandbagged!

Down here, down here, down here!

Dressed very nicely, he had a yellow tie on.

During the confirmation period, I want you out of sight.

Emory used to be in the Thursday night game.

Enter the arena of loyalty.

Especially after what happened on the Apachaway.

Especially their girls.

Especially when not even your wife will defend herself.

Especially when we have at our disposal Governor Hathaway.

Even if that rank is commander in chief.

Even the most loose definition of committing adultery would not include that.

Eventually I just say, I'm gonna go for it.

Everybody would understand if you wanted to delay for two weeks.

Everything but the vice president. Twenty fifth amendment doesn't specify...

Excuse me a minute.

Excuse me, Counselor. I, um...

Excuse me. The control room for America Live?

Excuse me. Willie? Thank you, Willie.

Expedition and dignity.

Fight back.

First let me state...

For a few months' maternity leave.

For God's sakes, just confess!

For her activities in college.

For religion and those practicing it...

For the FB... the AG to investigate.

For the record, sir...

For the record, would you state your name and address?

For what are we if we are not what we believe?

For your subjectivity.

Foul!

Four... thousand, three... thousand, two.

Frank Malloy, that's what I'm hearing.

Fred. We respect you.

Friday, 1:00. It's scheduled tomorrow.

From Mr. Webster.

From the Republican to the Democratic party when you left the House to run for the Senate.

Fuck!

Fucking shark steak.

Get in there, get in there.

Give me something, Laine. Anything.

Go on, sit. Never thought of Greece as a tea producing country...

God, I love this game.

Goddamn it, she's right. You're right.

Good evening.

Good man.

Good one, sir.

Good question, Senator.

Good. Good man. Good man.

Governor Hathaway has become the nation's choice...

Governor Hathaway!

Governor Hathaway's a great man.

Governor, excuse me.

Greatness is the orphan of urgency, Laine.

Greatness only emerges when we need it most...

Greatness. It comes in many forms.

Groovy. You're a groovy chick.

Had Timothy, you were absent from your duty...

Half the girls were there, about a zillion boys.

Hank was sitting where Len is. You started telling him what a shame it would be...

Hank's a hothead, and he took that as a threat.

Hank's gotta be treated with kid gloves.

Hanson here.

Has been running a little private investigation...

Hate and ego have no place residing...

Have no business deciding whether women have to resort to back alley abortions...

Have you ever committed adultery?

Have you ever heard of Isaac Lamm?

Have you heard about the possibility of Governor Hathaway...

Have you read it yet?

Have you read it?

Have you seen this?

Have you spoken to them?

He believes in what he's doing.

He had papers for me.

He has long been considered at the top of President Evans's list...

He has obviously infiltrated your show.

He married Laine after our divorce. It was about seven years ago.

He may not know his right from his left...

He paid her to save her.

He said he ought to be addressed as Your Superfluous Excellency.

He was also the first one to name names, first to cooperate with the government.

He was always good for a few hundred bucks.

He was holding her hand in victory.

He was probably our greatest president.

He was with her all the time.

He won't be doing his job. He'll be preparing to do mine. He's not even my second choice.

He'd fire me, and I don't want him as an enemy.

He'd like to let you know he'd appreciate your support in the senator's confirmation.

He'd refuse to put me on the committee even for a minute...

He'll be trying to figure out why I got him that forever.

He's a hypocrite.

He's a party loyalist and genuine hero.

He's describing what you did as if you should get the Medal of Honor.

He's going to hit you with abortion.

He's made up his mind. Filling this slot may well be his swan song.

He's not a bad man.

He's not going to allow me or himself...

He's not going with Jones because she's older than he is.

Hell, they've gotta investigate.

Hello, Mr. President.

Hello, sir. This is Senator Hanson speaking.

Her face was frozen in that look. She carried that look of terror...

Her nomination itself is the cancer of affirmative action.

Here. Turns out, it's the perk of the century.

Hey, guys. Nice to see you.

Hey, Sheila.

Hey, Tony!

Hi, sir. Um...

Hi.

Hope that the goals can be the same.

Hope that the standards... That there is no double standard.

How about Her involvement in prostitution?

How did you get it?

How do you respond to the rumors that Mrs. Hanson has withdrawn her name?

How long have you known her?

How many sexual partners I had in college.

How such sexual impropriety can ruin their lives.

How you discovered that the nominee was involved...

How's that for a swan song?

How's your average?

However, I'll once again afford the nominee an opportunity to respond.

Hungry? You want some lunch before we speak?

I always thought it was pretty damn classy. Have we notified the networks?

I am aware of that.

I am fully prepared to step down...

I am nothing if I do not follow my heart, sir.

I am opposed to making adultery, or even lying about it, a crime in our armed forces.

I am, sir.

I am... I like that.

I answered the door, and there was a gentleman there...

I asked them to have you seated at my table tonight.

I believe my position on this issue is clear.

I believe you'll find me industrious and hardworking.

I bet you've been gettin' a lot of, uh...

I can only assume, Senator, that you will...

I can't ask somebody to be a Kennedy or a Lincoln.

I can't put you up.

I can't really pinpoint them.

I could see her face.

I couldn't go because I had to work.

I couldn't...

I dare not assume that I have the objective wisdom to make that determination. Thank you.

I did blow a roll of quarters.

I did speak to other classmates, and they told me she was pretty wild.

I didn't hear about this.

I do not believe that it is the right of our citizens...

I do.

I do.

I do. You know why?

I don't believe we ever saw each other again after that.

I don't care if I never see any of these guys again.

I don't care who you fucked...

I don't feel reconciled about it yet.

I don't hate you. It's not possible to hate you. You're...

I don't mind confessing, I am at a total fucking loss.

I don't really know her, but I've seen her several times at functions...

I don't think you can keep quiet about what's in there.

I don't think you should avoid them.

I don't understand this, Kermit.

I envy you.

I feel like there should be some back and forth between us, you and the committee.

I felt that the Republican party had shifted from the ideals that I cherished through my youth.

I find these giant raisins... Well, you'll see.

I find what you did to be manipulative...

I gave up my career trying to strike that nonsense out of the public school system.

I got this tea from the Greek ambassador.

I gotta get it. It's the red line.

I gotta love at least one Democrat.

I guess he ran his campaign like he played poker.

I guess Sudan is where the press will make its first hay.

I had the flu.

I had to accompany the senator to the Gridiron Lunch.

I have a propensity for a woman's right to choose.

I have an issue to speak of, and I'm most gravely concerned.

I have served this nation without regard for personal income for over ten years.

I have seven from your side who are giving her the ax.

I have to plead motherhood on that one, Pete...

I just happen to be in charge of all the correspondence.

I just wanted to say to the senator that...

I just wouldn't be using sex as leverage...

I know his number two guy, Ted Baker. We went to college together. I'll phone him.

I know that these are tough times...

I know that.

I know you meant no harm.

I know you're busy, so this will be as routine as it gets.

I know, but he's six years old, and he also believes in the tooth fairy...

I look at her and I see someone who has proven the capacity for disloyalty.

I look upon the events of the past weeks...

I may be an atheist...

I may have taken the presidency from you, but you one upped me.

I mean, the governor's daughter.

I need a vice president. And I need a person who's gonna reflect my politics.

I need my heart, my brain and this church.

I need you to make a public statement that makes his sinking your sinking.

I needed air, you know?

I never took my clothes off.

I once leaked him some shit about Buchanan. Damn near won him the Pulitzer.

I promise you that Shelly will find some way to call you a baby killer.

I really don't eat meat. I'll just go ahead with the penne.

I said, I'm sorry, I don't smoke.

I saw this movie once where the president...

I say Bravo to you, Senator.

I spoke with Laine Hanson.

I sponsored the Hanson Fineman Bill which readjusted the War Powers Act...

I stand for a strong and growing armed forces...

I stand for a woman's right to choose.

I stand for making the selling of cigarettes to our youth a federal offense.

I stand for seeing every gun taken out of every home. Period.

I stand for term limits and campaign reform.

I stand for the elimination of the death penalty.

I stand for the elimination of the death penalty.

I still have a year and a half on my term. That's a long time to recover.

I suppose I could ask you, Mr. Crenshaw, how you'd feel in the same situation.

I take it in my hand...

I take it you have a predisposition.

I think I have some self righteous indignation coming my way.

I think I'm on safe ground saying that valuing motherhood is quite nonpartisan.

I think if I make the rounds, do the Sunday morning talk shows...

I think if we announce, the press might have other things on its mind.

I think it works.

I think people would think, in the back of their minds...

I think that the vetting system by simple necessity must be arduous.

I think the lady has made clear her propensity for abortion.

I think the president's trying to say the Sitting Bull routine isn't working.

I think we're ready for business, Dennis.

I think you're here because you want to know why I'm not fighting back.

I understand you're nervous, but believe me when I tell you you're among friends.

I understand, and you know what? It's really nobody's business.

I understand, and you know what? It's really nobody's business.

I want a piece of the rock. I wanna make sure...

I want out of Runyon's office. And I thought maybe you could get me on staff...

I want something embarrassing!

I want to see the faces of those of you...

I want you there as well, but, Shelly...

I wanted them, they wanted me.

I wanted to ask the senator, if she could pick one person from history...

I was driven by the emotion of wanting to make a choice...

I was married to William Hanson.

I was never prouder when you fought to make hate crimes a capital and federal offense.

I was on the track to maybe one day end up here...

I was really hoping you'd go for the position...

I was the daughter of the governor, for chrissake.

I was very sad that I couldn't be there.

I was watching TV, watching Laine about to make her acceptance speech.

I went to my dictionary and crossed off the word objectivity.

I will not be deterred by hate.

I will not be deterred by misogyny.

I will not be deterred by partisanship.

I will not be party to an ambush.

I will not deny the senator her right to respond.

I will not dignify those remarks or your questions with a response.

I will not respond to this article.

I wish you'd heard the speech. That line you gave me about...

I wonder.

I work for a pretty powerful guy.

I would be inclined, though not without flexibility...

I would like to apologize to her alike...

I would like to make this a live roll call.

I would like to start by saying...

I would prefer that we not have the press conference, sir.

I would stake my career...

I wouldn't take it too hard.

I, I tried to pull at the door, but, uh...

I, too, will wait for the FBI report before responding.

I, uh, I I may, uh... I may use that.

I, uh, wasn't keeping it a secret.

I, uh...

I, uh...

I... She was going to Vegas.

I'd go for the number six, slightly right of center, sir.

I'd have to go with, uh... Anwar Sadat.

I'd have to say Sadat. Talk about standing up to political and popular pressure.

I'd like to think that I had those kind of balls.

I'd like to think that I'd die for civil rights.

I'd like you to call Shelly Runyon back and get this fucking thing fixed!

I'd rather answer your questions on specific issues of foreign policy.

I'd so want you in my poker game.

I'll call back Joe Glynn at the Times.

I'll die before Shelly Runyon checkmates me.

I'll give you Governor Jack Hathaway, but I wanna make damn sure...

I'll introduce him in five... thousand...

I'll support whoever you select, of course.

I'll tell you what.

I'll, uh...

I'm confident we can proceed.

I'm gonna ask Mrs. Hanson and Mr. Hathaway up to the Oval Office...

I'm gonna call a press conference tomorrow, read that letter...

I'm gonna choose to be amused by your naiveté, give you the benefit of the doubt.

I'm gonna give you guys 20 minutes for questions and answers.

I'm gonna spell it out for you even more clearly.

I'm guilty but not responsible, hmm?

I'm her husband first. I don't tolerate talk like that.

I'm Jack Hathaway. How are you?

I'm married to the vice president, huh?

I'm not going for a low blow. It's not my way.

I'm not gonna discuss any allegations, especially those on the Internet.

I'm not sure I could stomach another two weeks.

I'm not sure that I get the point of all this.

I'm not talking about pulling her. I'm just saying it's bullshit.

I'm sorry I started. You were late.

I'm suggesting that Laine Hanson has stricken our party with policies and attitudes...

I'm suggesting that Laine Hanson has stricken our party with policies and attitudes...

I'm sure you're wondering why I'm here.

I'm talking about those of you who were patriots to your party...

I'm telling you, there is some money spent on these stupid lunches.

If getting laid is a common initiation for boys in the frat...

If I ever did answer the questions...

If I have any more caffeine, I'll be voting for the flat tax.

If I wanna be in, I have to go to their brother fraternity and have sex...

If I were a man, nobody would care...

If I were you, Sheldon.

If it was me, I don't know if I would've dove in there.

If John Q. Public could see the money that the knuckleheads that run this country...

If Peter's gonna be able to see her, she has to be able to see him.

If she wanted to continue her fight for confirmation...

If the refrigeration systems on the trucks went out.

If this body will indulge me, I have before me...

If we can put a man on the moon, then why can't we put all men on the moon?

If we do that, we're no better than he is.

If we were threatening him, he'd know it.

If you support the right...

If you want something to drink, Jerry will take care of you.

Imagine how much harder he would've made it for them.

In a minute, POTUS is gonna come in, make an announcement...

In an affair with your husband?

In her defense, she was drunk.

In order for it to be committing adultery, she'd have to be married at the time.

In response to The Washington Post story.

In ten seconds you're gonna have your answer. So calm down.

In that case, given your feelings on the matter...

In that case, shall we have our picture taken, young man? Hmm?

In the Nichols Report piece...

In the past ten years, I've enjoyed the kind of power the vice presidency can't offer.

In this war, there will be casualties.

In times of war or calamity.

In what my good friend Laine Hanson calls the chapel of democracy.

Into the possible... possible, I say again...

Irony, Shelly. I want an insurance policy.

Is always unusual, always an event.

Is it safe to say that this infidelity precipitated the divorce?

Is just tickled that anything he wants to eat he can get in a moment's notice.

Is perceived as supportive.

Isn't it possible, sir, that I was... that I was acting...

Issues? What kind of fucking campaigns are they running in Virginia?

It cost me my reelection, kept me out of politics forever.

It didn't hurt his numbers. It improved his numbers.

It gave us every freedom that we hold dear.

It is claimed that you, Senator...

It is my privilege and my honor...

It is not there to protect religion from the grasp of government...

It is now up to us to light the spark...

It is simply beneath my dignity.

It never crossed my mind when I was a younger woman...

It never crossed my mind when I was a younger woman...

It pains my soul to tell you that you have brought blood and shame under this great dome.

It pretty much says that nothing happened that night.

It seems to me, Mr. Chairman, all you can claim about me... claim, is that I had sex...

It was like she was being buried alive.

It was not done out of malice. Indeed the opposite.

It was odd that I noticed it, but...

It was perfect. It really broke the ice.

It was set up. S.O.P.

It was then that I realized that all of our sacrifices were not in vain...

It was... It was cold.

It'll be in... tomorrow afternoon's edition.

It's a bad beef, Jack.

It's a damn shame you were the unlucky bastard in that spot.

It's a perfect pedigree.

It's a pleasure. How can I help you?

It's a woman with her finger on the button who isn't getting laid.

It's all just part of the process.

It's automatic. He's committee chairman.

It's beneath me and it's beneath the press.

It's bullshit!

It's dark and dim. There are these two guys.

It's gotta be Hanson. Malloy's out.

It's hard not to jump, that's for sure.

It's just that you were fishing for bass, so...

It's not enough to believe in yourself, you have to be right.

It's not exactly fair when six foxes and one chicken...

It's not possible.

It's one thing to break ranks and vote against my candidate...

It's the president. He wants to talk to you.

It's very accurate, and those photos are accurate too.

Jack Hathaway, there's a good man... for a Democrat.

Jack, he isn't worthy of...

Jack, there. I understand that you two have never met.

Jackson Evans has chosen to make putting a woman in office his swan song.

Jeez.

Jerry, send the folks back in, please. I gotta finish this up.

Jesus Christ! What the... Governor! Governor!

Jesus Christ.

Jesus, uh, Shell, those were some...

Jesus!

Just about every aspect of your life will be uncovered.

Just imagine, Mr. Webster, if Mr. Lamm had just said, Fuck you, to the committee.

Just in time for the congressman to make his statement...

Just like everybody's been saying, very, uh...

Just that we should expect to be reading of your opposition.

Just this once.

Just to clarify, why exactly was Mrs. Laine Hanson...

Just wanted to steal you for a second. I'm Reg Webster.

K told me about your little sexual romp in college.

K, you need to put out word that no matter what this kid does...

Ladies and gentlemen of the committee:

Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Sheldon B. Runyon from the great state of Illinois.

Ladies and gentlemen, that by the way is tab 76.

Ladies and gentlemen, the president of the United States.

Laine Hanson has an extra burden.

Laine Hanson is attractive. She's a looker.

Laine Hanson is my absolute first choice.

Laine Hanson is the only reasonable choice in your party.

Laine Hanson... is a cancer.

Laine Hanson's the absolute best choice.

Laine, maybe you've been out of law school too long.

Last time we spoke, you were sitting where you are now.

Laver has to duck out of the way of that one.

Let her deny just that part of the story.

Let Hollis handle the day to day...

Let me explain how this is gonna work.

Let me go on record as saying...

Let me tell you. That's one hell of a bell to un ring.

Let us assume you ascended to the presidency...

Let's dot the I's, cross the T's on this one later.

Let's make this confirmation fast and furious.

Lew?

Lewis, this is it. Thank you.

Like that of Iraq, Libya, North Korea, for instance.

Listen, I know the things I've done.

Listen, Laine...

Listen. This is what I'm gonna do.

Little boys, midgets, that sort of thing.

Look me in the eyes and tell me...

Look, I know you're not a whore.

Look, I won't address issues of sexuality in a hearing room...

Look, it doesn't matter, does it? She's not being confirmed.

Look, Jack, it's just not gonna happen. I can't nominate you.

Looking for stuff that the Feds wouldn't even touch.

Looks like something out of Hustler.

Love is an involuntary reflex, and I fell victim to it.

Loyalty is a revered quality among vice presidents. Would you agree?

Madam Senator, do you swear to tell the truth...

Madam Senator, I welcome you.

Madam Senator, you understand...

Madam Senator.

Madam Senator...

Margaret Thatcher didn't have perfect credentials. The world respected her.

May I introduce tonight's honoree, Miss Barr?

Maybe I ought to put him in public school, then.

Maybe that's the first thing you should've told me.

Me? No, I haven't.

Might have. But honestly, I don't know.

Misrepresentative of my position.

Miss Lee, hello. I'm over here. Thank you for joining us.

Miss Lee, would you explain to this committee as you did in your deposition...

Miss Lee, you are not married.

Miss Lee, you are not married.

Miss Lee.

Miss Moyer in kindergarten, and Mommy says...

Mm hmm.

Mm hmm. Yes, I have one six year old boy, Timothy.

Mmm.

Mmm. Delicious. You got a little...

More integrity to the office of the vice presidency.

Mr. Chairman, I direct your attention to page 16...

Mr. Chairman, I have nothing to...

Mr. Chairman, let's just say...

Mr. Chairman, would the chair expect to have the designate assure this committee...

Mr. Chairman...

Mr. Hanson.

Mr. Marshall, the vice president does not appoint Supreme Court justices.

Mr. Marshall, your time has expired.

Mr. President, do you have a comment on the allegations made on the Internet today?

Mr. President, I just don't believe in Laine Hanson...

Mr. President, Jerry's here.

Mr. President?

Mr. President.

Mr. President.

Mr. Runyon has a copy, and now so do you.

Mr. Runyon, 20 years ago your wife Maggie had an abortion.

Mr. Runyon...

Mr. Runyon...

Mr. Skakle, the five minute rule is in effect.

Mr. Speaker, the president of the United States of America.

Mr. Webster, I'm asking you to lay off...

Mrs. Hanson, you still have not taken a stand on the accuracy of this report.

Ms. Hanson, do you feel being a woman played any type of role in the president's decision?

My church is this very chapel of democracy that we sit in together...

My hands are tied. There's nothing I can do.

My husband and I practice birth control.

Napoleon once said, when asked to explain the lack of great statesmen in the world...

Nefarious and sleazy innuendoes...

No matter. He reminds me of me when I was his age. That's bad.

No problem, sir.

No, he's not. Shelly has no idea.

No, I don't think so.

No, I want to resolve this. I do. Just give me a few minutes.

No, it's not gonna be that easy for you, and it's not gonna be that easy for them.

No, never.

No, no, I want to see the car come out of the water.

No, no, in the crabbing area.

No, no, no, no.

No, no. Two years at the paper, I never heard that one.

No, no. You gotta couch it like it's something...

No, not Evans. Newman said the thing about Chappaquiddick.

No, not my personal life. It's just nobody's business.

No, sir, I don't.

No, sir? What, No, sir?

No, sir.

No, thank you, sir.

No, what I, um, do detest is your selfishness.

No? Are you still able to bear children?

No. By the time I got back down to the car, she was dead.

No... No.

Nobody's saying it was your fault, but you failed.

Nobody's to give him a hard time.

Not a husband? Boyfriend?

Not among us.

Not because she isn't great, but because she isn't petty.

Not between the president and the senator, but between the president and Laine.

Not guilty but responsible.

Not if I'd been able to save her.

Not only are you right, but you're about to meet the president, and you look great.

Not only bring suit against the perpetrators of...

Not really? You mean...

Not the kind I'm used to. Jack, this whole thing with the girl drowning...

Nothing less than a a a holocaust of the unborn.

Now, I see here that when you...

Now, it turns out that Laine Hanson is a woman...

Now, Truman, he was a poker player.

Now, you are under subpoena, is that correct?

Now, you are under subpoena, is that correct?

Oatmeal, white chocolate...

Of a woman to choose, you are supporting...

Of course, the president addressing a joint session of Congress...

Of how close we once were.

Of Laine Billings's first senatorial campaign.

Of the Judiciary to interview you and advise and consent to your nomination.

Of touching that chichi food we always get served at these state dinners.

Of triumph and not controversy.

Of what?

Off a bridge and abandoned the whore you were fucking to die.

Off to the races!

Oh, Christ.

Oh, fuck me. I'm sorry, Webster. What can I do for you?

Oh, good. Good gift. Metaphorical gift.

Oh, I just can't respond to the committee's lightly veiled accusations...

Oh, I'm sure you're right.

Oh, indeed, the ax?

Oh, is that right? Vegas?

Oh, it's a goddamn shame about the Muenster.

Oh, it's that one. Yeah, I know.

Oh, Jack.

Oh, man. Mr. Runyon, prefer I take you around back?

Oh, negligent homicide.

Oh, no, I'm just thinking what I'd pay to be back in college again.

Oh, right, concern. Laine?

Oh, sorry. Sorry. Go ahead.

Oh, sorry. Where are my manners? You guys want anything?

Oh, sure, this time of year. You were risking your life saving that woman.

Oh, yeah, you were... You knocked Emory Bettis out.

Oh, yes. All the pundits are in a guessing feeding frenzy.

Okay, guys, one hour, the Cabinet Room.

Okay, I would now like to...

Okay, I'm not convinced.

Okay, I've got the intro now.

Okay, Shelly...

Okay.

On Governor Hathaway's, uh, smooth and efficient confirmation.

On the Dow Jones, the census, almost everything, but not this.

On the night of the elections, I was at home.

On the other side of Laine...

On whether or not it votes to advise and consent to your nomination.

One day I'll catch him napping.

One that Laver can't get. He's still trying to recover.

Or maybe it was the kid who won Wimbledon for the second time.

Or maybe you can't respond because the answers you have to give are too embarrassing.

Or on national television or anywhere else for that matter.

Or one of those silly television programs...

Or the capacity for seeing the light.

Order. Order.

Otto, could you whip up some Kung Pao chicken, but with walnuts?

Ow. I'm Special Agent Willomina. Sure is good of you to meet me.

Pace me at five to ten, okay?

Pardon my Swahili, but you're being led a line of pure bullshit.

Paul Smith is his name.

People have sacrificed a lot more for a lot less.

Perhaps Lainey will shock the world...

Perhaps the senator is unaware that commander in chief is not actually a military rank.

Personally, I think the nation would be relieved to know that just because she's a woman...

Personally, Senator...

Please state your name for the record.

Please, you can't do it. She's hope.

Pointed a finger your way...

Pointed a finger your way...

Posted to 40 million Internet subscribers...

POTUS is scheduled to address the American Legion on the third.

Pretty heroic, what you tried.

Private citizen wants to do their own investigation...

Proud of yourself?

Putting a woman in office means something to him.

Quite certain about the future.

Raise the level of the game a bit, outtalk her on the issues...

Raising them, making them good people.

Ray Spies makes all the decisions regarding the other party.

Read the deposition of the LaVamere lady.

Really? Wow. Well, um, let's get on that.

Recognize this affidavit?

Regarding the separation of church and state.

Remember what I told you about moving your grip down...

Right away.

Right from the start I should've come down here...

Right into her death.

Right now some terrorist camp in Libya is being spared a bombing raid...

Right now, sir, I cannot see supporting Laine Hanson.

Right! Well, who the hell knows?

Right. Right.

Robertson.

Rumor has it that the House has advise and consent on this one.

Rumor has it that the House has advise and consent on this one.

Runyon deposed Will's ex wife today, and, uh...

Runyon knows that you're clean of the perjury...

Sad to say, I don't think I can bring you aboard the committee, son.

Saw the governor out there. Looks like he had the shit kicked out of him.

See that, Tim Tim? Know what we call that?

See, Daphne? This is how you get to the top.

Senator Hanson, do you recognize Mr. Poullet?

Senator Laine Billings Hanson of Ohio is that person.

Senator, could we have a word?

Senator, why do we have to worry about Shelly Runyon's guns when I control the atomic bomb?

Senator, you want me to sit in? Make sure the congressman's clear on everything?

She asked me to go along with her. It was gonna be her treat.

She has asked me to allow her to step aside.

She looked at me.

She offered to take her sorority sister to Vegas, her treat.

She runs the sorority, and she gives it to me straight:

She saw her fucking holding hands, interlocked fingers with this gal...

She stated that Will and I had had an affair...

She told me that she wanted my administration to end on a note...

She was carried into another room, and boys were going in and out of there...

She was just great in the hearings today. Cool and collected.

She was just sort of clasping that person's hand.

She was putting on a sex show.

She was up at the podium. Will was by her side.

She was very nice, your girl.

She was very pretty. Young.

She was your best friend.

She's has to come on the world stage with perfect credentials.

She's no good.

Shelly Runyon's running the show there.

Shelly, he paid her to go off the fucking bridge.

Shelly, I've been trying to reach you for five days.

Shelly, you needn't worry about us exposing the fact...

Shelly, you really made a mess of things for me.

Shelly.

Sherri, you are first.

Shh. Quiet.

Shit. Tomorrow is the 17th.

Should have any bearing on my assuming office is for the committee to decide.

Should I hear anything in this?

Should I hear anything? Oh, I got it. Okay, great.

Should you succeed the president or even advise the president?

Show indignation about how a man would never have to go through hell for having done this.

Show them Laine Hanson isn't gonna take their shit. Take the fight out of 'em.

Show your remorse, but don't be broken.

Simply as a matter of choice.

Since the committee chose to humiliate a private woman in the most public possible setting...

Sir, can I just say that...

Sir, if the distinguished gentlelady from Ohio would answer the question...

Sir, if you agree with the allegations, or agree the allegations are accurate...

Sir, this may be really, really inappropriate...

Sir! Uh, sir, I just... I just wanted to ask, ask you. Um, well...

Sir? Can I get you something to drink?

Sir.

Six and a half years in the White House, press still hasn't gotten wind of these bastards.

Six years ago I was the best man for the job, and I'm still the right guy.

So Hathaway, he's out? That's solid?

So keep them short and, hopefully, sweet.

So like I said, I just want to cross a couple of T's, little stuff.

So no one like, maybe, the National Enquirer...

So off we go to the frat house.

So they send me into this room.

So who's the second choice?

So you choose not to break bread with the president of the United States?

So you have only one choice.

So you would allow a personal political belief to enter into such a decision?

So, have you guys been down here before?

So, how are... Will and the boy?

So, ladies and gentlemen of this Congress...

So, let me make one thing clear.

So, Shelly, can we ask for basic fairness?

So, that's it. The end. Good guys win.

So, what can I do for you, Mr. Webster?

So, you must be feeling pretty excited about now. Please sit.

So... let me be absolutely clear.

Some asshole called in and made this idiot claim.

Some de Gaulles.

Some pretty good stuff.

Somebody else from the night of the incident sent me this letter.

Somebody else has come forward.

Somebody's obviously in the car. The governor is in the water.

Somehow in my mind, kids.

Something sexual!

Sometimes it comes in the form of sacrifice. That's the loneliest form.

Son, I understand you may be making a mess of our plans...

Sorry for the late notice. For lunch, could you arrange coq au vin...

Sources in the White House have told us that the president...

Speaking of which, Mr. Webster, it turns out you're a Democrat.

Spend on these lunches, there would be a second revolution.

Stab a man in the navel, and that's all she wrote.

Strike that. Laine Billings involved in this, uh...

Such pettiness and such greatness are rarely found in one person.

Sure, but not at any price.

Sure, that'd be fine.

Tab C 25 of the ledger, a transcript of the Q and A session...

Take a Magic Marker, cross out the word objectivity.

Take it easy, Jack.

Taste like g****s.

Tell me about it.

Tell me, if Laine Hanson were to be hit by a flying car...

Thank you for having me, Peter.

Thank you so much, sir. To answer your question...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr... Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, sweetie.

Thank you, Trevor. That'll be all.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you. It's great to see you guys.

Thank you. Please be seated.

Thanks for seeing me, Dad.

Thanks.

Thanks.

That are best served across the aisle from where she came.

That are best served across the aisle from where she came.

That even though the senator has shown a disdain...

That gave women the right to vote.

That girl died. That's a tragedy.

That I encourage every American...

That I had been the center of a gang bang.

That I would stand beside her.

That I'd be this age and not have kids.

That is a piece of shit. We talked about this, Ray.

That is a rumor I've not yet heard.

That is...

That just turns a girl... to blush.

That Laine Hanson is your first choice for the vice presidency.

That leaves us with Malloy or Hanson.

That much has been made of the reports in the press of an investigation...

That of righteousness, the truth...

That only great men, given the right time and place, can make...

That probably explains why we didn't catch anything.

That she asked to have her name withdrawn from consideration...

That she would have her tubes tied before she assume office?

That should not see the light of day.

That the lady with the lovely physique in the photo lacks.

That was absolutely inappropriate.

That was an issue of fairness.

That was as rough as it comes. Never seen anybody look so defeated.

That would mean that it was okay for them to have been asked in the first place...

That would've made Troy Ellard, my friend, proud.

That you have promised to be truthful to this committee?

That you leaked all that horrible material about Laine on the Internet.

That you were a good man.

That you're setting standards of morality for their children.

That, to get power...

That's a nasty bit of business, what happened on that river. Nasty.

That's a very nice age.

That's all right. I can do that myself. Yeah.

That's her casino account balance.

That's her for sure.

That's Lainey Hanson getting gang banged.

That's my... That's my file on you, Senator.

That's not what the people will tell you; the people will tell you it is their business...

That's okay.

That's okay. That's okay. You're young.

That's the way to go. Fuck the press. Senator Hanson does not kiss and tell.

That's till recently, of course. Our career paths sort of went in different directions.

That's what I thought, but now we have some massaging to do.

That's what I told them. Not in those words.

That's what I wanted.

That's what I was thinking.

That's what I was thinking.

That's what pisses me off. It's all about retribution for Hartford.

That's what she said.

That's what the prick said to you? We can't have another Chappaquiddick.

The bastard is dead.

The Chair recognizes Mr. Webster of Delaware.

The church I go to is the one that emancipated the slaves...

The concept of making the American dream blind to gender.

The country needs a competent vice president.

The difference is... mine are loaded.

The dominoes fell from there.

The FBI's gonna have to do an extensive background check.

The fine ladies and gentlemen who serve on the Supreme Court...

The future, yes. Well, there is one thing...

The guy's a jerk. We're never gonna put our people on that show again.

The heart, it can never be wrong, can it, Mr. Webster?

The House has taken on that responsibility.

The House Un American Activities Committee.

The House will put together its bipartisan subcommittee...

The Judiciary’s for senior members.

The kind of improprieties you're talking about, I think that only helps her.

The last time I talked to her it was just, The kid this, the kid that.

The man you wanted in the first place: Jack Hathaway.

The mere fact that she was a Republican means that she can't be too far to the left.

The next day, the campus was rampant with word...

The nominee said, and I quote, The separation exists...

The people of this nation can stomach quite a bit.

The president and I discussed several issues, including the vice presidency.

The president canceled his golf game with me.

The president needs a smooth confirmation.

The president, as commander in chief, stood by...

The senator got a little wild when she was 19. What is the big deal?

The senator just swore an oath to an entity she does not believe in.

The truth is that while we have not put a seal on the concept of having another child...

The truth is, Lainey and I had that one incident.

The whole fucking plan, Jack, everything, was to get to this point.

The whole situation's a son of a bitch.

The whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?

The world accepted Margaret Thatcher because they knew she had to answer to Ronald Reagan.

Then I met you, and I realized that I'd be...

Then she comes back and changes it afterwards, and that way...

Then this would all be moot, 'cause you wouldn't be president, sir.

Then why not for us, right?

Then you look him in the eye and you ask him...

There he is! Shelly!

There is no monitor for her. She'll hear Pete in the earpiece.

There is one concern we need to...

There wasn't a lot of shit to get into there, but I was in it.

There you go.

There's a guy who did not die in vain. He died for peace.

There's a man I would say would have...

There's an odd sort of integrity there.

There's no evidence he ever cheated on his wife.

There's nothing there. He got married when he was 21.

There's one reality here, Governor.

There's only one person in the world that has that phone number.

There's something about almost puking on a Havana...

These guys, they're gonna confirm you.

They are one and the same.

They both have towels wrapped around their waists.

They caught you being a human being. That's all.

They cite irreconcilable differences.

They couldn't save the Alamo, either, but everyone who died there's a hero.

They didn't send it to me. They sent it to the committee.

They got photos! They got witnesses! They got the alleged slut...

They had a lot more life and cash to investigate, huh?

They may not have been nice or considered politically savvy...

They want to send you into this administration as a virus.

They were men created by their times.

They're cheering my name. Laine! Laine! Laine!

They're home, they're watching, they're proud.

They're not gonna care about your years of service or what you've done for education.

They're not gonna give a rat's ass about that.

This committee will wait for a report from the FBI...

This here's a guy who takes risks when the right thing's at stake.

This is an ideological **** of all women.

This is it.

This is quite an event. Here we are. Quite a sad event.

This is shit.

This is the best you could come up with? This shit?

This is the second time they fucked us over.

This is the type of filth and degenerate pornography...

This is, uh...

This letter from Jack Bennet...

This speech is scheduled to begin momentarily.

This would be it. A girl died and...

Though I will not waste the committee's time with such...

Three, I guess.

Timothy Muskie Hanson.

To advance abortion rights, flat taxes, things you've been behind for years?

To advance their careers.

To allow the executive to respond to state sponsored terrorism...

To be honest, once she finished fucking and sucking those two assholes...

To determine whether she accepted money...

To ensure that this very important matter be handled with...

To ensure the proper implementation of the 25th amendment...

To exercise power, you need to show true greatness.

To fill the vacancy left by the death of the vice president three weeks ago.

To get shot down over what would've been a private sexual encounter.

To hear the truth from your own lips?

To her credit, she was very drunk when she had sex...

To kill a baby as it grows in the womb.

To know what exactly happened that night...

To look at every aspect of her life and find everyone that knew her.

To pass the Internet Libel Protection Act.

To serve as her model for how to behave in office, who would that be?

To serve as the chairman of these special hearings.

To take on the post of the heir apparent to the presidency.

To... to butcher a defenseless human being simply...

Tomorrow is Jacobson's birthday. Have you got something for the son of a bitch?

Too bad we're not running in France. We could really nail him on that one.

Totally off the record.

Trading favors...

Trading my dreams so that we could live yours.

Two hours, gentlemen.

Uh, I was a freshman in...

Uh, remarkably enough, it seems that I have some explaining to do.

Uh, you know what?

Uh...

Um, I deeply regret causing Cynthia pain...

Um, I've not given that any consideration.

Um, me? No. But somebody somewhere's gonna talk.

Um, my doorbell rang.

Um, Senator...

Um, what I did to Miss Lee was wrong.

Un, no. I don't have a monitor, so I can't see him.

Under oath. Told them they were full of shit.

Wants to be careful with it. Let's not push it.

Watch your step, Senator.

Way back then I defied my president.

We all have to understand, we're going to obliterate her life...

We are no better than he is.

We are proud to welcome our friend and colleague, Laine Hanson.

We called that Life in the Sex Laine.

We can go through the process of a vote.

We can talk for days about greatness and leadership...

We can't get you in by convincing him you're the right man for the job.

We can't have another Chappaquiddick.

We can't have another Chappaquiddick.

We didn't have children.

We don't want the wheels coming off the wagon.

We found the money that you put in her account at the Bellagio.

We go about two feet back.

We had a rocky time over the crime bill.

We had them on the frat house bulletin board for months.

We have done good.

We have one shot at this, and it's gone!

We have to convince him that she's wrong. Once we do that, you're in.

We have to go after her. We have to make her wade in her own blood.

We have to gut the bitch in the belly.

We haven't really settled on anybody yet.

We hear the president's decision is Malloy. Can you confirm this?

We just ended up in different company.

We know that you were just following your heart.

We must also consider your worthiness as commander in chief.

We sacrificed all of that so we could do good.

We served together a few years ago, and, I guess...

We think she's absolutely great for the country and this administration.

We tried to steal your husband away. He runs a hell of a campaign.

We were gonna stay at one of those ritzy new places. The, um, Bellage..?

We will start the questioning with Mr. Skakle.

We'd be landslide victors every time.

We'll be fine. Won't we, Mr. Webster? We'll be all right. Thanks.

We'll introduce you to the Cabinet in one hour. I'll make the announcement then.

We'll just have to make this all not worthwhile for Mr. Runyon.

We're both sticking to our guns.

We're getting sandbagged! I knew you couldn't trust this fucking guy!

We're just going over our statement...

We're ready for him. Our position papers are first rate.

We're trying to make this go as smoothly as it possibly can.

We've had a vacancy for three weeks. The nation's moved from mourning to anxiety.

Welcome. Good afternoon. Please.

Well, as you know, I withdrew my name from consideration.

Well, can't take a picture like that. Will you straighten it for me?

Well, good! Good. Night before a confirmation hearing.

Well, how about, How embarrassing it is...

Well, I had just turned 18 when I got to college...

Well, I think we're all agreed...

Well, I, uh... First I would like to say...

Well, is there any truth whatsoever to the story?

Well, it is our fucking business!

Well, it is our fucking business!

Well, it looks like Runyon or somebody close to him...

Well, it's not necessary to make the accusation.

Well, it's, uh... It's, um...

Well, looks like Jack Hathaway's had a shitty week.

Well, that's not playing fair. I'll give you that.

Well, that's the whole point, isn't it?

Well, then I'll survive it for all of us.

Well, then...

Well, there's a boatload of press out there.

Well, Timothy Muskie Hanson, how would you like a great big cookie? Any kind.

Well, when your president asks you to jump...

Well...

Were involved in a sexual imbroglio while in college.

Were prosecuted for adultery or were not permitted...

Wh... What's the source? Where'd they get the story?

What a coup for them, huh?

What an honor it is to be here before you in this position.

What are you guys talking about?

What did he say? I didn't talk to him this week.

What do you think, Stevenson?

What exactly are you trying to find out? Campaign irregularities, bribes?

What I can ask for is the promise of greatness.

What I meant was, would you take a bullet...

What I think we can say of President Clinton is that he was not guilty but responsible.

What if I told you that I'm just busting at the seams...

What kind of stick you using there?

What the fuck is that supposed to mean?

What the hell was it that Reynolds called you the other day?

What was it like?

What we will sing with voices stentorian...

What would you do, or have done, in my case?

What you are is a sex crazed, home wrecking machine. The female Warren Beatty.

What, sir, is the point?

What?

What?

What? See what whores do on their time off?

What...

What's goin' on?

What's your average?

Wheeling was in for five terms before we let him in.

When do you have your lunch with him?

When I asked for you last week, they said you were in Vegas.

When I was in the Senate, Bettis could always be counted to leave half a grand at the poker table.

When Nelson Rockefeller was confirmed, they had over 300 agents working on him.

When she tries to tell me how to do it, I do it my way.

When you guys go before the Antitrust Committee, don't you want Hank on your side?

When you said, Anybody that knows her...

When... When considering you for the vice presidency...

Where is the senator's monitor?

Where Shelly Runyon got his.

Where we can no longer separate the demagogue from the truly inspired.

Where'd you get that, sir?

Which is her constitutional right...

Which is now stacked with right wing appointees...

Which one? Three or four?

Which will result in a moral uprising, so that we may have...

While several military officers, including candidates for the chairman of the Joint Chiefs...

Who can I be certain you'll confirm?

Who could bring...

Who doesn't want a shortcut to greatness?

Who is footing the not too unimpressive bill of Mr. Makerowitz.

Who the fuck cares?

Who would the president then select?

Whoa, whoa. I haven't been confirmed yet. I haven't even been asked yet.

Why are you showing me this, Ted?

Why are you showing me this?

Why not keep in his good graces?

Why would anybody want to give that up? Am I crazy?

Why would I answer that for you? Sorry. It's simply a privacy issue.

Wild enough you can be sure the tabloids are gonna have a field day.

Will he have a smoother ride than Mrs. Hanson?

Will not have an effect on this committee...

Will that be the argument the senator offers up before the committee?

Will the gentlelady from Ohio please rise and raise your right hand?

Will... Will was in charge...

With a side of penne?

With my friends, uh, my brothers and I.

With several partners in exchange for entry into a sorority.

With sexual indiscretions in their past.

With Shelly Runyon? I'm not having lunch with him.

With the exhilaration of being true to the glory of this democracy.

With two boys.

Would both welcome the votes of only those people...

Would you cede your duties to your vice president and for how long?

Would you put Thatcher in that category?

Wow, that's a plate of food!

Wow, you must really hate me, Shelly.

Www.nicholsreport.com...

Yeah, being the vice president is better than being the president.

Yeah, Hartford, it was a tough one.

Yeah, of course I'll hold.

Yeah, pretty, uh...

Yeah, Shelly?

Yeah, that makes sense.

Yeah, we're close, we were close for a while.

Yeah, you betcha. You unseated that old bastard Bettis.

Yes, Governor Hathaway is in the water.

Yes, I am... I believe, yes, I am.

Yes, I understand that, between the two of us, I'm the one that's under oath.

Yes, it was. It was a yes.

Yes, madam, it most certainly is.

Yes, she is. One second, sir.

Yes, she is. She's very nice.

Yes, sir.

Yes, sir. You got him a leather bound Don Quixote.

Yes! No... A car...

Yes.

Yes.

Yes. I don't believe we should penalize our citizens for having children.

Yes. Um...

Yesterday...

Yesterday...

Yesterday...

Yet you have not given this matter any consideration.

You are selfish because you want to take on a job that positions you to assume...

You asked to see me?

You can be cavalier on your own dime.

You can just do that, pull phone records?

You can waste time...

You can't let anybody know where you got this from.

You come at us with whatever weapons that you have in your arsenal...

You could've looked those pricks in the eye and told them the truth.

You did a good job, Special Agent.

You did more than most men would.

You didn't have to dress up for me.

You don't believe that. Come on. You're too smart.

You don't have to use... Look. Let's use the word alleged.

You don't have.

You ever stabbed a man in the navel? You?

You fish in the Apachaway a lot, so I thought that you would know that, but...

You fucked up, buddy.

You gave me nightmare visions of having to return to my law practice.

You gotta send somebody out...

You have now come face to face with my will.

You just look those bastards in the eye and tell them exactly that.

You know how I feel. Hanson may have turncoated our way, but a turncoat's a turncoat.

You know it's important. It's the old man's swan song.

You know what she's going through. Come on, come on.

You know what she's going through. Come on, come on.

You know what this is? That's a shark steak sandwich.

You know what we gotta do pronto? We gotta start working Runyon.

You know what?

You know what?

You know what? I'm not gonna argue with you.

You know what? You're goddamn right.

You know, Dad, I'm getting some reports that you might not be ready to back me.

You know, even to exonerate myself...

You know, in supporting her. Real gracious.

You know, Laine...

You know, sir, I'm just not going to comment on the whole thing.

You know...

You may walk out on me, you may walk out on this body...

You need to display absolute pettiness.

You okay, sir?

You set me up.

You staff or intern?

You stood so tall, defying the world, and you won.

You sure did clobber me.

You sure you want to have alcohol on your breath the first time you meet the president?

You sure you want to have alcohol on your breath the first time you meet the president?

You understand what's going on here?

You wanna speak to him?

You weren't some drunk who drove your car...

You will question even yourselves.

You won't have to.

You, sir, are gonna have to make yourself scarce.

You'll go down as a second rate Joe McCarthy.

You'll see the following remarks in reference to a question...

You're a good man, Jack. Want to see the governor out?

You're a national leader now. Think that way.

You're back, Laine.

You're gonna take it up the ass. Want to bend over and make their job a little easier?

You're kicking my ass. It's gone from feeling like easy pickings to out and out bullying.

You're nitpicking in reverse now.

You're not gonna pull some kind of baloney out of your hat...

You're not supposed to inhale.

You're one of the leaders of this party, a rising star...

You're quite sure? Madam Senator, you understand that, uh, you are under oath.

You're still coming to the banquet, aren't you?

You're the future of the Democratic Party...

You're young.

You've been going through my desk.

You've goddamned crystallized the difference between being guilty and being responsible.

Your bank accounts, your medical reports.

Your constituents want you for your opinions, your philosophy...

Your husband may have been an adulterer. You're not. Fine.

Your leadership has raised the stakes of hate to a level...

Your mommy tells me you know more about the presidents than most grown ups.

Your problem, Shelly, is that you have no sense of history.

Your refusal to deny this report of sexual deviance...

Your selection would be Governor Hathaway.

'Cause he's head of Judiciary. But the Senate takes care...

About the confirmation, I mean. No. Actually, I'm 100% objective.

Ah, Mr. Webster. Mr. President.

Al! Yes?

Ambassador Francis J. Malloy as his number two. Yeah, thanks.

America Live is not in the circus business. Pete's always fair.

American Legion? Who approved that? I don't know.

And he freed the slaves and won the Civil War. That's right!

and I'll be the man behind the curtain. Where do we go from here?

and that George Washington never told a lie. Well, it drives me crazy.

And that lying to this body is perjury, punishable by law? Yes, I do understand that.

and to the left? Uh huh.

And who have you talked to about this? Nobody.

Anyway, how much did we win that one by? 61 to 33, sir.

Are you a vegan? Had lunch? No. Uh...

As a matter of fact, we're watching him on C SPAN now. No names were discussed.

Baby Jesus gave it topspin. Jesus?

Back it up. Rewind!

Because Baby Jesus made everything. Yeah? Who told you that?

Before that. She was military. Fourteen Golf.

Business, sir. Vegas is business?

But he withdrew his name from consideration. Minds can be changed.

But I think... No, honey. I think Mr. Newman's right on.

But not you. Uh uh, no.

Come on, Mr. Runyon! Mr. Lewis, you do not have speaking privileges.

Confess? Yeah, confess. Confess.

Congratulations. What's the question, sir?

Congressman Webster. Honor, madam.

Cows! I don't give a goddamn! Come on, Kermit.

Deviant sex. Who says it was deviant?

Did my girl offer you coffee or something to drink? Oh, yes, she did.

Did the president offer you the position? I asked him to withdraw my name.

Did you find anything? No, no, not really.

Did you, ma'am, have the affair? No.

Director Friend will handle the investigation. Yes, we made sure of that.

Do you think Hanson's a team player? Senator Hanson is gonna work.

Doesn't she look great? Yeah, she looks great.

Don't eat all the hors d'oeuvres. Shark steak sandwiches?

Even from your own leadership? I said a hundred percent.

Even greater than George Washington? It's a running debate.

Every one of them. You let him finish.

Fifty fifty, Democrat and Republican at the hearings? Of course you can.

Fill it with Frank Malloy. No, no. Malloy's got an inflammation of ambition.

First female prime ministers? They were great leaders.

First rate, Mrs. Hanson. Thank you. I learned a lot from Will.

Gentlemen. Jack. Mr. President.

Gilmore. Um, Idaho? Iowa?

Glenda? Yes, sir?

Glenda? Yes, sir?

Go ahead. Try this. It's wonderful. No.

Go see if Dad's found his bathing suit yet. Gimme a hug.

Good luck, Mrs. Hanson. You too.

Good to see you. It's an honor, sir.

Got everybody, Glenda? Yes, sir. He says you can go in whenever you're ready.

Governor, thank you for joining us. Thank you, Bert.

Grandma in Kalamazoo? No, sir. Nobody.

Great audience for that, huh? Yeah, it was great.

Great. Hello, Jack. Kermit.

Guess we got our ten minutes. Okay, send him in.

hazelnut pudding for dessert. No problem, sir.

He always cancels his golf game. Don't worry about it. Not with me.

He doesn't know anything about it. You're asking me to step down?

He's already taken himself out of it, so... Right.

He's got a sensory advantage over her. You wanna pull her?

Hell, I don't even know... What would the charge be? Negligent homicide.

Hello, Shelly. Newman.

Help me save face on this one. Okay.

Henry, I gotta talk to you in five minutes, okay? Okay.

Hey, Chuck. Hey, Kermit.

Hey, Dog! Lewis, how you doin'?

Hey. Hey, Madam Senator.

Hi, Clem. You too. Senator, nice to see you.

Hi, Reggie. Hi.

Hi. Jackson Evans. Lewis Hollis.

Hmm? Well, I think I'm a little nervous.

Hold here. What? Oh.

How do I look? Your tie's a little crooked.

How long did this go on for? It was hours.

How long is this flight? About an hour and 40 minutes.

How many hours? Three or four.

How many people have seen this? I gave it only to the director.

How much discretion can I count on from you? A hundred percent, sir.

How old are you? Me, I'm 28.

How you doing? I'm okay.

How's that cough doing? Aah.

I believe this is the first one of these affairs for you, right? Yes.

I do. Please be seated.

I hate the press. I know, Dad.

I have a great relationship with Runyon... Listen to me.

I have to listen Miss Moyer. Wow, this is news to me.

I have to read him his rights. Fred, the governor, he knows his rights.

I haven't said a word. Maybe it's just that. Maybe you've been quiet.

I know people who know her. Uh huh.

I left you 32 messages. Well, leave me a 33rd.

I like to study them. Mmm! Me too.

I need to know I can count on you. Of course you can.

I ordered you the porterhouse. No, I don't eat meat.

I served, you know, not in Vietnam but Desert Storm. Right. The Bronze Star.

I suppose you're gonna force my hand on this, huh? You wouldn't have to say much.

I thought your equipment was pretty sophisticated, but... There's a difference...

I tried to save her. Kennedy ran away, remember? You failed.

I was there, Shelly. The president told me himself. It's an excuse.

I'll have the penne. You should really... Mmm.

I'll start pummeling him. No, no, no. Don't say anything to him yet.

I'll think about it. No, I think it's fine.

I'm happy to give you their names, if you'd like. Great.

I'm late, Mr. Webster. I understand a chair's opened up in the committee...

I'm not gonna talk about it. I know. You're not talking about it.

I'm not too late, I hope. A minute or two.

I'm quite in awe of you. Thank you.

I'm running late. I was hoping I could grab your attention for a second.

I'm sorry. It's a bad beat.

I've been meaning to have you up here for some time. Really?

If you want to break bread with me. Absolutely.

If you wish, you can go ahead. Thank you.

in the best interests of the United States? No.

Including your vote to impeach President Clinton? Yes, I do.

Is Bert on our side? Absolutely.

Is this your handiwork? Yes, sir.

Isaac Lamm? No. He was the first one to come before HUAC...

Isn't that the FBI's responsibility? Yes, it is.

Isn't there something we can do about this? Believe me, I've tried.

it doesn't matter what I have to say for myself. Oh, it doesn't?

it doesn't mean she can't be as ruthless as the rest of us. Governor?

It was the first thing that came into my head. What did you say?

It was your husband then? Yes.

It'll make me feel cheap. Let the big talk begin.

It's a courtesy. But not a requirement.

It's a putting stick. Right, putting stick.

It's gonna be Malloy. Fucking Frank Malloy. That's what I'm hearing.

It's gonna be okay. Does intend to withdraw the name of Senator Laine B. Hanson...

It's not, that's true. If Ray Spies interviewed me...

It's okay if you have. We're not gonna lock you up. No, I haven't.

It's okay, guys. Busted. POTUS is secure.

It's perfect. Maybe I was too rough on Shelly in Hartford.

It's the right of every mother to be able to take maternity... Paid maternity leave.

It's, um... Yeah?

Jack Hathaway? Smooth as a baby's ass.

Jack, look, we respect... You're going to have to come with me now.

Jerry, you want to come in? Yes, sir.

Jerry. Good. How are you?

Just a little something. Okay, okay.

Keep it that way. Yes, sir.

Kermit, can I talk to you a second? We'll talk later.

Laine Hanson, Jack Hathaway. It's a pleasure.

Laine Hanson. Oh, Mr. President.

Laine, honey, it's gonna be fine. Those on the inside are suggesting...

Laine. Shelly.

Larry, how are you? I'm fine. Thanks for calling.

Last week were in the 50s, today you were at 82. Look at it this way.

Lifesaver? No, thanks.

Look what it did for Clinton with Flowers. Play it any way you want.

Madam? Yes?

Mary, wanna turn the ball machine off? Yes, Mr. Governor.

May I? Of course.

Mm hmm. How did you get it?

Mmm. Do you have a dictionary, Mr. Webster? Yeah.

Mr. Chairman, I humbly request a point of order. You will be afforded one.

Mr. President, if I may? Yes, please.

My 37th. You look great.

No witnesses? Pure urban legend.

No, I have not. No?

No, I'll be fine. Yes, sir.

No, I'm not. But you once were.

No, Lewis is my first name. Lewis. Welcome, Lewis.

No, of course. I'll give you your privacy. No, I mean scarce.

No, thank you, sir. Shelly?

No, thanks. No, sir, I'm not. Thanks.

No, you're right. No offense. Just wondering.

No. Johnson, he, uh...

Now, Mr. President, I think you know... It's Hanson.

Oh, you're one of Stoney's boys? Uh, no.

on the whole Senator Hanson thing. Oh?

Once again, Miss Lee... I'm sorry. Yes. Yes, yes.

One forty five last time out, sir. That's not bad.

Otherwise... But I'm not sure I can...

Otto? Yes, Mr. President?

Page 16? Page 16 at the bottom of the page.

Papers? I'm sorry. Separation papers.

Pardon me? A wife there behind her husband...

Pure Audie Murphy. Thank you, sir. I only wish...

Really? He asked me directly, Shell.

returning to the list of vice presidential... Governor Hathaway is a fine man.

Runyon lobbied just hard enough to get his committee the gig. Yeah, I think he did.

Runyon's gonna be a problem. Why is Runyon gonna be a problem?

S.E.C. Investigation, 1985. You got stocks?

Senator Hanson and her husband are here. Bring 'em in.

Senator Hanson? Congressman Webster's here to see you. Sorry. Yep?

Senator, are you suggesting the public... Okay, she's had a long day.

Senator, is this what you're gonna wear? She looks fine.

Senator! Mr. President.

Senator? Oh... Hello, Freshman.

Seventy. I don't have one.

She still is who she is. Yes, she is.

She was terrified. Wow.

She's something, isn't she? I don't really know her.

Shelly, maybe I... You shouldn't say anything.

Sir. You must be very proud of your mom.

Soldier of Fortune. Yeah, Soldier of Fortune.

Some swan song for the old man, huh? It's fuckin' awful.

Sorry to barge in on you. No, no, no, no. I'm just watching your girl.

Spicy or mild? Spicy.

Spicy? Yes, please. Thanks.

Steve Poullet. Hi.

Take a seat. Congressman, the president asked us to come down here.

Thank you for coming here on such short notice. Laine Hanson, from Ohio.

Thank you. Very becoming.

Thanks, Dad. Sure.

that show, um... Access... Confidential?

that the... No, no, no. Who...

That's fine, Mr. President. That's the way Jerry Ford did it with Rockefeller.

That's good, isn't it? Mm hmm.

That's... That's what's important. Exactly.

The cold alone could've snapped you like a twig. It was dark under the water.

The former Egyptian president. Right.

The girl in the river. She was a paralegal.

The girl, do you know what she was? What girl?

The Sitting Bull routine? No!

The whole thing was pretty hairy. I bet.

There will be an investigation. She's gonna have the truth on her side.

There's a lot of good folk to choose from. Who?

There's Winslet. She's not coming off the Supreme Court.

They are paid to teach, not... To preach.

They're ready to come forward to be deposed. That's very good of them.

They've been waiting for you for about ten minutes. Okay. Hey.

Think you can beat me? Uh, yeah. Okay.

This administration needs a smooth confirmation. You let it happen.

This is what they call exculpatory evidence. Yes, I realize that.

This is your ticket to wherever history is gonna take you. Yes.

This isn't happening to me. You can go.

Three weeks ago? Yeah.

Three, two, one. This is it.

Timmy, that's a little too high. Okay, Mommy.

To abort a child! A fetus.

Trevor? I'm getting them, sir.

True blue catch. I guess so.

Try the steak. Ask Hugo to burn it on the outside. No, thank you.

Two hundred thousand dollars. And that ad in...

Uh, no, I'm fine. Thank you. You sure?

Um, were you to get pregnant again...

Unnamed sources close to the investigation. I see.

Was your husband physically violent to you? No.

We call that topspin. You know how we get topspin? Uh huh.

We're at a commercial. You're almost up, okay? Okay.

We're gonna get back into this? We will. We will.

We've got him! We have Goliath. Sir, are you all right, sir?

Web got somebody... A friend of the Hathaway campaign.

Were there infidelities? Yes. There was one.

Were you tied up with anything? No, sorry. I'm just late.

What about the photographs? Not me.

What about this Webster, sir? Ah, one second. Anybody here hungry?

What am I forgetting? Correspondence to government agencies, speeches...

What are we gonna do now? We're gonna sue him.

What do you have to say for yourself? With all due respect...

What is this? It's the reason you're here.

What was the first name? Hollis.

What would you like me to do? I'd like you to give a shit.

What? Where's Gilmore?

What's that? Sir?

What's the process? Confess.

What's the skinny? Well, uh...

When I left the mansion, I swore I would never talk to them. I remember.

Where is the fucking control room? Right down there.

Where you from? Delaware.

Where's the control room for America Live? Down the hall.

Who did you say you were? I'm Makerowitz.

Why not? You've already gone over it. It's done, ancient history.

Why wouldn't I see you? Partisanship.

Why? Let's get it on our own merit for now.

With all due respect... You will be afforded one when I am finished.

With the contortionist. I've never been.

Yeah, poor son of a bitch. Mr. President?

Yeah? Tell me. 'Cause Baby Jesus made topspin.

Yes, Glenda? Sir, the kitchen's all out of Muenster.

Yes, sir? Don't... be embarrassed.

Yes, very much so. Yes. Yet you chose to officially move...

You are an enigma wrapped in a riddle. Wrapped in a riddle.

You guys bowl? Once in a while.

You have the right to remain silent... Fred.

You know what? I would have to say Thomas Jefferson. A man?

You look great, by the way. Just great. Thank you, sir.

You okay? I don't know about this, Fiona.

You perjured yourself. I didn't commit adultery.

You remember my husband. Will Hanson. The McMahon campaign.

You said under oath that you never committed adultery. That's right.

You still believe in every vote you made? Yes.

You want half? Uh, no, thank you.

You were fucking Will when he was married. All right.

You would sacrifice your reputation? Yes, I would.

you'll give him a smooth ride. My word. There's a reason they call me Honest Shell.

You'll talk about legitimate issues of concern. Right.

You're asking me? No, I'm not.

You've heard quotes? No, I haven't heard.

... after the greeting of the president of the United States.

'Cause nobody wants to shoot the vice president.