"[Birds Chirping]" "[Man]Ibetyou've been gettin 'a lot of, uh..." "Churchills, probably Mandela." "Some de Gaulles." "I'd have to go with, uh..." "Anwar Sadat." "Anwar Sadat?" " The formerEgyptianpresident." " Right." "No, no." "Twoyears at thepaper, Ineverheard that one." "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." "There's a guy who did not die in vain." "He died for peace." "Any ideas you'd die for, Governor?" "Obviously I'd die for this country." " I served, you know, not in Vietnam but Desert Storm." " Right." "The Bronze Star." "There wasn't a lot ofshit to get into there, but I was in it." "What I meant was, would you take a bullet... to advance abortion rights, flat taxes, thingsyou've been behindforyears?" "I'd like to think that I'd die for civil rights." " [Tires Screeching]" "Jesus!" "Jesus Christ!" "What the-- Governor!" "Governor!" "Governor Hathaway!" "Christ!" "What the-- Governor!" "Governor!" "Jesus!" "Yes!" "No" " A car" "[ Stammering ]" "I'm under a br" "Somebody's obviously in the car." "Thegovernoris in the water." "Yes, GovernorHathaway is in the water." "Yougotta send somebody out" "No, no, I want to see the car come out ofthe water." " Back it up." " Rewind!" "[ I ndistinct Chatter ]" " You okay?" " I don't know about this, Fiona." "Governor, excuse me." "Bottom line." "You put your ass on the line out there." "This guy from the Post" "Paul Smith is his name." "He's describing what you did as if you should get the Medal of Honor." "That isn't the reality, is it?" "She died." "I n the end, that's the reality." "There's one reality here, Governor." "Thepeople have givenyou Reagan-like approvalnumbers." " Last week were in the 50s, todayyou were at 82." " Look at it this way." "That girl died." "That's a tragedy." "But you did everything you could possibly do to save her." "They couldn't save the Alamo, either, but everyone who died there's a hero." " We're at a commercial." "You're almost up, okay?" " Okay." "Show your remorse, but don't be broken." "You're a national leader now." "Think that way." " Is Bert on our side?" " Absolutely." " Three, two, one." " This is it." "[Fiona]After this, everything will be on ourside." "He has long been considered at the top of President Evans's list... to fii ll the vacancy left by the death ofthe vice president three weeks ago." "But after the heroics that have become the stuff of national legend..." "Governor Hathaway has become the nation's choice... to take on the post of the heir-apparent to the presidency." " Governor, thankyou forjoining us." " Thankyou, Bert." "That's a nasty bit ofbusiness, whathappenedon thatriver." "Nasty." "It's a damnshameyou were the unlucky bastardin thatspot." "Six and a halfyears in the White House, press still hasn't gotten wind ofthese bastards." "Yeah, pretty, uh... pretty heroic, whatyou tried." "J ust like everybody's been saying, very, uh" " Pure Audie Murphy." " Thankyou, sir." "I only wish" "If it was me, I don't know if I would've dove in there." "Might have." "But honestly, I don't know." "[ Sighs ] Well" "At least for once, the press is turning one of us into a hero." "What was it like?" "It was-- It was cold." "Oh, sure, this time ofyear." "You were risking your life saving that woman." " The cold alone could've snapped you like a twig." " It was dark under the water." "The headlights were on." "So were the interior lights." "I could see her face." "She was very pretty." "Young." " She was terrifiied." " Wow." "It was like she was being buried alive." "She lookedatme." "And then she had this look of helplessness." "I, I tried to pull at the door, but, uh..." "I needed air, you know?" "I couldn't" "No." "By the time Igotback down to the car, she was dead." "Her face was frozen in that look." "She carried that look ofterror... rightinto herdeath." "You did more than most men would." "I wonder." "Look,Jack, it's just not gonna happen." "I can't nominate you." "I can'tputyou up." "We can'thave another Chappaquiddick." " I tried to save her." "Kennedy ran away, remember?" " You failed." "Nobody's saying it was your fa ult, but you fa iled." "[Evans] It's a badbeef,Jack." "You're one ofthe leaders ofthis party, a rising star... but you've got a Republican-heavyJ udiciary." "They're not gonna give a rat's ass about that." "They're not gonna care about youryears ofservice or what you've done for education." "This would be it." "A girl died and" " This administration needs a smooth confii rmation." " You let it happen." "We had a rocky time over the crime bill." "Can'thave any more obstacles putin front ofus." "Well, I appreciate you telling me personally, Mr. President." "I'll, uh" "I'll support whoeveryou select, ofcourse." "I know that." "You're the future ofthe Democratic Party... and you always will be." "Well, there's a boatload of press out there." "I don't think you should avoid them." "Take it easy,Jack." "I don't understand this, Kermit." "Six years ago I was the best man for thejob, and I'm still the right guy." " I have a great relationship with Runyon" " Listen to me." " Isn't there something we can do about this?" " Believe me, I've tried." "He's made up his mind." "Filling this slot may well be his swan song." "Wants to be careful with it." "Let's not push it." "Why not keep in his good graces?" "You're a good man,Jack." "Want to see the governor out?" "Jerry, you want to come in?" " Yes, sir." "Mr. President, Jerry's here." "That was as rough as it comes." "Never seen anybody look so defeated." " Yeah, poor son ofa bitch." " Mr. President?" "Saw the governor out there." "Looks like he had the shit kicked out of him." "If I have any more caffeine, I'll be voting for the fat tax." "I got this tea from the Greek ambassador." "Go on, sit." "Never thought ofGreece as a tea-producing country... but,Jesus Christ, ifthis isn't the tea to end all teas." "Well, looks likeJack Hathaway's had a shitty week." "So Hathaway, he's out?" "That's solid?" "That leaves us with Malloy or Hanson." "It's gotta be Hanson." "Malloy's out." " Now, Mr. President, I thinkyou know" " It's Hanson." "You know how I feel." "Hanson may have turncoated our way, but a turncoat's a turncoat." "We've had a vacancy for three weeks." "The nation's moved from mourning to anxiety." "I need a vice president." "And I need a person who's gonna refect my politics." " Fill it with Frank Malloy." " No, no." "Malloy's got an infammation ofambition." "He won't be doing his job." "He'll be preparing to do mine." "He's not even my second choice." "If it doesn't work with Hanson, we're gonna go back to Hathaway." " Do you think Hanson's a team player?" " Senator Hanson is gonna work." "And it's thejob ofyou two to make sure that confii rmation gets through." " I need to know I can count on you." " Ofcourse you can." "The president and I discussed several issues, including the vice presidency." "[Man]Did thepresident offeryou theposition?" " I asked him to withdraw my name." "[Phone Ringing] -[Woman Moaning] Don'tanswerit, please." "[Ringing Continues] -[Man]Igotta getit." "It's the redline." "[Woman] No, no, no, no." " Hanson here." "[Giggling]" "Yeah, ofcourse I'll hold." "Shh." "Quiet." "Hello, sir!" "I'm great, sir, thankyou." "Yes." "As a matteroffact, we 're watching him on C-SPANnow." " No names were discussed." "Yes, she is." "One second, sir." "It's the president." "He wants to talk to you." "You wanna speak to him?" "Hello, sir." "This is Senator Hanson speaking." "Oh, Christ." "That's what the prick said to you?" ""We can't have another Chappaquiddick."" "No, not Evans." "Newman said the thing about Chappaquiddick." "What the fuck is that supposed to mean?" "That doesn't even make any sense,Jack." "You weren't some drunk who drove your car... offa bridge andabandonedthe whore you were fucking to die." "That's what I told them." "Not in those words." "This is the second time they fucked us over." " Did he say who he was going with?" " No." " It's gonna be Malloy." "Fucking Frank Malloy." " That's what I'm hearing." "Jack, he isn't worthy of" " This isn't happening to me." " You can go." "You're gonna take it up the ass." "Want to bend over and make theirjob a little easier?" "You understand what's going on here?" "This is it." "The whole fucking plan,Jack, everything, was to get to this point." "We have one shot at this, and it's gone!" "And you're gonna mope around like some 1 2-year-old girl who can't get a date to the dance?" ""Frank Malloy, that's what I'm hearing."" " What would you like me to do?" " I'd like you to give a shit." "I'd like you to call Shelly Runyon back and get this fucking thing fiixed!" " Why not?" " You've already gone over it." "It's done, ancient history." "I don't feel reconciled about it yet." "[ I ndistinct Chattering ]" " I'll think about it." " No, I think it's fii ne." "Okay, I'm not convinced." "Thanks." "You sure you want to have alcohol on your breath the fii rst time you meet the president?" " No, you're right." " No offense.Just wondering." "I'm married to the vice president, huh?" "Whoa, whoa." "I haven't been confii rmed yet." "I haven't even been asked yet." "You know what we gotta do pronto?" "We gotta start working Runyon." " Runyon's gonna be a problem." " Why is Runyongonna be aproblem?" " 'Cause he's headofJudiciary." " But the Senate takes care" "Everything but the vicepresident." "Twenty-fiifth amendment doesn'tspecify... who runs theshow on that confiirmation." "Rumor has it that the House has advise and consent on this one." " Runyon lobbiedjusthard enough togethis committee thegig." " Yeah, I think he did." "I know his number-two guy, Ted Baker." "We went to college together." "I'll phone him." " I'll start pummeling him." " No, no, no." "Don't say anything to him yet." " Why?" " Let's get it on our own merit for now." "You know what?" "I'm not gonna argue with you." "Not only are you right, but you're about to meet the president, and you look great." " Doesn'tshe lookgreat?" " Yeah, she looks great." "What do you think, Stevenson?" "I'd go for the number six, slightly right ofcenter, sir." "That's what I was thinking." "That's what I was thinking." "[Evans] How'syour average?" " One forty-fiive last time out, sir." " That's not bad." "No!" "That's what I get for my leftist tendencies." " Senator Hanson and her husband are here." " Bring 'em in." "Yes, sir." " I'm gonna need some time with the senator." " Yes, sir." " Senator!" " Mr. President." " You remember my husband." " Will Hanson." "The McMahon campaign." "We tried to steal your husband away." "He runs a hell ofa campaign." "You gave me nightmare visions of having to return to my law practice." " Hi.Jackson Evans." " Lewis Hollis." " What was the fii rst name?" " Hollis." " No, Lewis is my fil rst name." " Lewis." "Welcome, Lewis." "So, have you guys been down here before?" " [ Together ] No." "Johnson, he, uh... built it in '65." "Right now some terrorist camp in Libya is being spared a bombing raid... because I'm obsessed with beating my 1 50 average." " You guys bowl?" " Once in a while." "What's your average?" " Seventy." " I don't have one." "Hungry?" "You want some lunch before we speak?" "No, thankyou, sir." "[Evans]Isaw this movie once where thepresident... is just tickled that anything he wants to eat he can get in a moment's notice." "Here." "Turns out, it's the perk ofthe century." " Otto?" " Yes, Mr. President?" "Sorry for the late notice." "For lunch, could you arrange coq au vin... with a side of penne?" "[Otto]Spicy ormild?" " Spicy." "And, uh" " Oh..." " hazelnut pudding for dessert." " Noproblem, sir." "One day I'll catch him napping." " Anyway, how much did we win that one by?" " 61 to 33, sir." "It's pretty easy getting over things when you win." "I guess Sudan is where the press will make its fii rst hay." "I think ifwe announce, the press might have other things on its mind." "But you know, Sheldon Runyon andJack Hathaway have been friends foryears." "And Runyon is going to come after me with all guns blazing." "Senator, why do we have to worry about Shelly Runyon's guns when I control the atomic bomb?" "We'll introduce you to the Cabinet in one hour." "I'll make the announcement then." " That's fii ne, Mr. President." " That's the wayJerry Ford did it with Rockefeller." "I always thought it was pretty damn classy." "Have we notifii ed the networks?" "Oh, yes." "All the pundits are in a guessing feeding frenzy." "Box of Malomars says they've already anointed Malloy." "You look great, by the way.J ust great." "Thankyou, sir." "Okay, guys, one hour, the Cabinet Room." "Offto the races!" " Senator, is this what you're gonna wear?" " She looks fii ne." " No, she does." " You look beautiful, Senator." " Thankyou." " Very becoming." "I think it works." "Let me explain how this is gonna work." "I n a minute, POTUS is gonna come in, make an announcement..." " introduce you to the vice presidential designate." "Jerry." "We hear the president's decision is Malloy." "Can you confii rm this?" "I n ten seconds you're gonna have your answer." "So calm down." "All right." "Then after he's made-- Dave. [ Whispers ]" "I'm gonna give you guys 20 minutes for questions and answers." "So keep them short and, hopefully, sweet." "And you can roll starting now." "I'll introduce him in fiive... thousand... four... thousand, three... thousand, two." "Ladies and gentlemen, the president ofthe United States." "Welcome." "Good afternoon." "Please." " Thankyou for coming here on such short notice." " Laine Hanson, from Ohio." "As I embarked on the task ofselecting a vice president..." "I was driven by the emotion ofwanting to make a choice... that would've made Troy Ellard, my friend, proud." "Senator Laine Billings Hanson ofOhio is that person." "[Toliver] Sherri, youare fiirst." "Ms. Hanson, doyou feelbeing a womanplayedany type ofrole in thepresident's decision?" "Well, I, uh-- First I would like to say... what an honor it is to be here before you in this position." "And I hope to serve up to the standards which President Evans set for me in that introduction." "Thankyou so much, sir." "To answeryour question" " First rate, Mrs. Hanson." " Thankyou." "I learned a lot from Will." "Ah, yes, Will." "You, sir, are gonna have to make yourselfscarce." " No, ofcourse." "I'll give you your privacy." " No, I mean scarce." "During the confii rmation period, I want you out ofsight." " Pardon me?" "A wife there behindherhusband... is perceived as supportive." "A husband following around behind his wife is perceived as a puppeteer." " But I think" " No, honey." "I think Mr. Newman's right on." "Let Hollis handle the day-to-day..." "and I'll be the man behind the curtain." "Where do we go from here?" "The FBI's gonna have to do an extensive backgroundcheck." " Director Friend will handle the investigation." " Yes, we made sure ofthat." "Justabout every aspect ofyour life will be uncovered." "Your bank accounts, your medical reports." " What am I forgetting?" " Correspondence to governmentagencies, speeches" "When Nelson Rockefeller was confii rmed, they had over 300 agents working on him." "They had a lot more life and cash to investigate, huh?" "We 'll do our own background check in case anything falls through the cracks, to besafe." " At the same time, the House will" " Come in." "[KnockingAt Door]" "The House will put together its bipartisan subcommittee... oftheJ udiciary to interview you and advise and consent to your nomination." "Shelly Runyon's running the show there." "Cheyenne, Wyoming, you're on with Vice President Designate Laine Hanson." " [ Man ] Larry, how are you?" " I'm fii ne." "Thanks for calling." "I just wanted to say to the senator that... all ofCheyenne is with her." "We think she's absolutely great for the country and this administration." " Congratulations." " [ King ] What's the question, sir?" "I wantedto ask thesenator, ifshe couldpick oneperson from history... toserve as hermodelforhow to behave in office, who would thatbe?" "[Knock At Door] -[King]Goodquestion, Senator." "Hey, guys." "Nice toseeyou." " Sorry to barge in onyou." " No, no, no, no." "I'm just watching your girl." " First female prime ministers?" " They were great leaders." "Would you put Thatcher in that category?" "No, I don't think so." " You know what?" "I would have to say ThomasJefferson." " [ King ] A man?" " She's something, isn'tshe?" " I don't really know her." "We served together a few years ago, and, I guess... wejust ended up in different company." " Take a seat." " Congressman, thepresident askedus to come down here." "He 'dlike to letyouknow he'dappreciateyoursupport in thesenator's confiirmation." " Really?" " He askedme directly, Shell." "But the president didn't consider it important enough to ask me personally?" "Youknowit's important." "It's the oldman's swansong." "Putting a woman in office means something to him." "Laine Hanson's the absolute best choice." "You don't believe that." "Come on." "You're too smart." "Look, I don't mind she's a woman... but I'm not confii rming a woman just because she's a woman." "Laine Hanson has an extra burden." "She's has to come on the world stage with perfect credentials." "Margaret Thatcher didn't have perfect credentials." "The world respected her." "The world accepted Margaret Thatcher because they knew she had to answer to Ronald Reagan." "A woman better be pretty damn qualifii ed to have nobody to answer to... and Laine Hanson is not that." "Look me in the eyes and tell me... that Laine Hanson is your fil rst choice for the vice presidency." "Laine Hanson is my absolute fii rst choice." "I'd so want you in my poker game." "Country needs a smooth confii rmation." "The president needs a smooth confii rmation." " The country needs a competent vice president." "[Cell Phone Ringing]" "Excuse me a minute." "There's only one person in the world that has that phone number." "So who's the second choice?" "We haven't really settled on anybodyyet." "Tell me, if Laine Hanson were to be hit by a fying car... who would the president then select?" "[ Sighs ]" "I think the president still likesJack Hathaway, Congressman." "Youknow..." "Jack Hathaway, there's a good man..." "for a Democrat." "[ Laughs ] There's a man I would say would have... a smooth confii rmation." "Jack Hathaway?" " Smooth as a baby's ass." " He's already taken himself out of it, so" " Right." "Right!" "Well, who the hell knows?" "Perhaps Lainey will shock the world... by pulling out her brilliance... anderudition at the hearings thatnone ofus knowshe has." "So, Shelly, can we ask for basic fa irness?" " Fifty-fiifty, Democratand Republican at the hearings?" " Ofcourse you can." "Congressman!" "Congressman!" "Mr. Runyon." "J ust wanted to steal you for a second." "I'm Reg Webster." " Oh, you're one ofStoney's boys?" " Uh, no." "You staff or intern?" "Actually I'm a representative." "Reginald Webster of Delaware." "Oh, fuck me." "I'm sorry, Webster." "What can I do foryou?" " I'm running late." " I was hoping I could grab your attention for a second." " What's the skinny?" " Well, uh" " I'm late, Mr. Webster." " I understand a chair's opened up in the committee... and I'd like to put my name forward." "I believe you'll fii nd me industrious and hardworking." "TheJ udiciary's for senior members." "Wheeling was in for fiive terms before we let him in." "My hands are tied." "There's nothing I can do." "Shelly, I've been trying to reach you for fiive days." " I left you 32 messages." " Well, leave me a 33rd." " Where you from?" " Delaware." "Oh, yeah, you were-- You knocked Emory Bettis out." "Emory used to be in the Thursday night game." "He was always good for a few hundred bucks." "I guess he ran his campaign like he played poker." "I take it you have a predisposition." " About the confii rmation, I mean." " No." "Actually, I'm 1 00%% objective." " Mmm." "Do you have a dictionary, Mr. Webster?" " Yeah." "Take a Magic Marker, cross out the word "objectivity."" "Your constituents want you foryour opinions, your philosophy... foryour subjectivity." "Laver has to duck out ofthe way ofthat one." "One that Lavercan'tget." "He 's still trying to recover." "And he zings another powerful forehand past Laver." "See that, Tim-Tim?" "Know what we call that?" " We call that topspin." "You know how we get topspin?" " Uh-huh." " Yeah?" "Tell me." " 'Cause BabyJesus made topspin." "What?" " BabyJesus gave it topspin." "Jesus?" "Ah!" "Why do you say that?" " Because BabyJesus made everything." " Yeah?" "Who told you that?" "Miss Moyerin kindergarten, andMommysays..." " Ihave to listen Miss Moyer." " Wow, this is news to me." "I gave up my career trying to strike that nonsense out ofthe public school system." "Maybe I ought to put him in public school, then." "Remember what I told you about moving your grip down..." " and to the left?" " Uh-huh." " Go see if Dad's found his bathing suit yet." " Gimme a hug." "Yeah." "Thanks, champ." " They are paid to teach, not" " To preach." "I know, but he's six years old, and he also believes in the tooth fa iry..." " and that George Washington never told a lie." " Well, it drives me crazy." " Mary, wanna turn the ball machine off?" " Yes, Mr. Governor." "Thanks for seeing me, Dad." " Why wouldn't I see you?" " Partisanship." "I gotta love at least one Democrat." "You know, Dad, I'm getting some reports that you might not be ready to back me." "That you're opposed to my confii rmation" " You've heard quotes?" " No, I haven't heard." "J ust that we should expect to be reading ofyour opposition." "Pardon my Swahili, but you're being led a line of pure bullshit." " I haven't said a word." " Maybe it'sjust that." "Maybeyou've been quiet." " I hate the press." " Iknow, Dad." " When I left the mansion, I swore I would never talk to them." " Iremember." " I suppose you're gonna force my hand on this, huh?" " You wouldn't have to say much." "J ust a little something." " Okay, okay." "I, uh" "I'll call back Joe Glynn at the Times." "He's okay." "He'll write it up well." "I once leaked him some shit about Buchanan." "Damn near won him the Pulitzer." " Thanks, Dad." " Sure." "Thanks." "What would you do, or have done, in my case?" "Well, when your president asks you tojump... it's hard not tojump, that's for sure." "But you remember what Ben Franklin said about the vice presidency." "What did he say?" "I didn't talk to him this week." "He said he ought to be addressed as "Your Superfuous Excellency."" "I n the past ten years, I've enjoyed the kind of power the vice presidency can't offer." "Why would anybody want to give that up?" "Am I crazy?" "Baby, power is where power goes." " Thinkyou can beat me?" " Uh, yeah." "Okay." "Hey, Tony!" "Foul!" "Can't trust those fuckin' people." "Speaking ofwhich, Mr. Webster, it turns out you're a Democrat." "I, uh, wasn't keeping it a secret." "Sad to say, I don't think I can bring you aboard the committee, son." "Ray Spies makes all the decisions regarding the otherparty." " It's a courtesy." " But not a requirement." " It's not, that's true." " IfRay Spies interviewedme... he'd refuse to put me on the committee even for a minute... because he'd fii nd out that when it comes to Laine Hanson..." "I went to my dictionary and crossed off the word "objectivity."" "Are you suggesting Mrs. Hanson may not be your fil rst choice for vice president?" "I'm suggesting that Laine Hanson has stricken our party with policies and attitudes... that are best served across the aisle from where she came." "I take it, like most members ofyour party... your selection would be Governor Hathaway." "Governor Hathaway's a great man." "He's a visionary, a bona fii de hero." " But he withdrew his name from consideration." " Minds can be changed." " How much discretion can I count on from you?" " A hundred percent, sir." " Even from your own leadership?" " I said a hundred percent." "Good." "Good man." "Good man." "I think if I make the rounds, do the Sunday morning talk shows... raise the level ofthe game a bit, outtalk her on the issues" "Issues?" "What kind offucking campaigns are they running in Virginia?" "Not the kind I'm used to." "Jack, this whole thing with the girl drowning" "It's bullshit!" " I was there, Shelly." "The president told me himself." " It's an excuse." "Jackson Evans has chosen to make putting a woman in offii ce his swan song." "Laine Hanson is the only reasonable choice inyourparty." "He's not going with Boxer." "She's too liberal." "He's not going withJones because she's older than he is." " There's Winslet." " She's not coming off the Supreme Court." "Laine Hanson is attractive." "She's a looker." "The mere fact that she was a Republican means that she can't be too fa r to the left." "It's a perfect pedigree." "We can't get you in by convincing him you're the right man for thejob." "We have to convince him that she's wrong." "Once we do that, you're in." "And Toliver, he's as much as told me" "I'm not going for a low blow." "It's not my way." "You won't have to." "We have togo afterher." "We have to make her wade in herown blood." " Who did you sayyou were?" " I'm Makerowitz." " Makerowitz." " I'm sorry." "That doesn't mean much to me." " Web got somebody" " A friend ofthe Hathaway campaign." "Who is footing the not-too-unimpressive bill of Mr. Makerowitz." "Private citizen wants to do their own investigation" "What exactly are you trying to fii nd out?" "Campaign irregularities, bribes?" "Isn't that the FBI's responsibility?" "Yes, it is." "But the FBI would not fii nd anything." "All of her money is tied up in blind trusts." "The kind of improprieties you're talking about, I think that only helps her." "Personally, I think the nation would be relieved to know that just because she's a woman..." " it doesn'tmeanshe can'tbe as ruthless as the rest ofus." " Governor?" "You ever stabbed a man in the navel?" "You?" "Me?" "No, I haven't." "Stab a man in the navel, and that's all she wrote." "Bleeding is so swift and severe, it wouldn't matter ifJesus put His healing hand on the wound... the bastardis dead." "We have togut the bitch in the belly." "We all have to understand, we 're going to obliterate herlife... butit willgetyou the vicepresidency." " Hey, Dog!" " Lewis, how you doin'?" " Wow, that's a plate offood!" " [ Laughs ]" "You didn't have to dress up for me." "I had to accompany the senator to the Gridiron Lunch." "IfJohn Q Public could see the money that the knuckleheads that run this country... spend on these lunches, there would be a second revolution." "I'm telling you, there is some money spent on these stupid lunches." " What is this?" " It's the reason you're here." "You can't let anybody know where you got this from." "If Runyon found out I gave this to you... he'd fii re me, and I don't want him as an enemy." "That's Lainey Hanson getting gang-banged." "Looks like something out of Hustler." "[ Sighs ] That's her for sure." "I know it's hard to tell with her-- her face in someone's crotch... but that's her, man." "Why are you showing me this?" "I will not be party to an ambush." "Why are you showing me this, Ted?" "Okay." "I want out of Runyon's offii ce." "And I thought maybe you could get me on staff" "This is the best you could come up with?" "This shit?" "This is shit." "Read the deposition ofthe LaVamere lady." "[Woman's Voice] She was putting on asex show." " How long did this go on for?" " It was hours." " How many hours?" " Three or four." "[Man] Which one?" "Three orfour?" "[Woman] Three, Iguess." "In herdefense, she was drunk." "To be honest, onceshe fiinishedfucking andsucking those two assholes... she was carriedinto anotherroom, and boys were going in andout ofthere... but I don't know ifshe was fucking them." "When she came out, she was covered in cum." "It was awful." "Excuse me, Counselor." "I, um" " May I ?" " Ofcourse." "J ust to clarify, why exactly was Mrs. Laine Hanson" "Strike that." "Laine Billings involved in this, uh... appalling and disgusting behavior?" " That's" " That's what's important." " Exactly." "Thankyou." "It's great to see you guys." " [ Applauding, Cheering ]" " There you go." "Thankyou so much foryour support." "Thankyou." "Thankyou." " Hey." " Hey, Madam Senator." " How you doing?" " I'm okay." "I wish you'd heard the speech." "That line you gave me about..." ""Ifwe can put a man on the moon, then why can't we put all men on the moon?"" "It was perfect." "It really broke the ice." " Great audience for that, huh?" " Yeah, it was great." " [ Sighs ]" " What's goin' on?" "Uh... well, it looks like Runyon or somebody close to him... has been running a little private investigation... looking for stuff that the Feds wouldn't even touch." " It's, um" " Yeah?" "What is it?" "What" "[Phone Ringing]" " He doesn'tknowanything aboutit." " You're asking me to step down?" "I'm asking you to do what's in the best interest ofthe party... and this president." "Well, I'm sorry." "I can't do it, not over this." "He's not going to allow me or himself... togetshot down over what would've been aprivatesexualencounter." " Some swan song for the old man, huh?" " It's fuckin' awful." "Thesenatorgota little wild whenshe was 19." "Whatis the big deal?" "Let me explain the big deal to you." "The people ofthis nation can stomach quite a bit." "But one thing they can't stomach is the image ofa vice president with a mouthful ofcock." "You don'thave to use" " Look." "Let's use the word "alleged. "" "They got photos!" "They got witnesses!" "They got the "alleged" slut" "Hey!" "Let me tell you something." "I'm her husband fii rst." "I don't tolerate talk like that." " Will, calm down." " You better get used to it, Will." "Especially when not even your wife will defend herself." "Give me something, Laine." "Anything." "Hell, just deny it." "Why don't you just deny it?" "It is simply beneath my dignity." "Dignity!" "Right." "We'll just have to make this all not worthwhile for Mr. Runyon." "What have you got on the distinguished gentleman from I llinois?" "Some pretty good stuff." " S.E.C. investigation, 1 985." " Yougotstocks?" "I want something embarrassing!" "Something sexual!" "Little boys, midgets, that sort ofthing." " Cows!" "I don'tgive agoddamn!" " Come on, Kermit." "Ifwe do that, we 're no better than he is." "We are no better than he is." "There 's nothing there." "He gotmarried when he was 21." "There's no evidence he ever cheated on his wife." "Too bad we're not running in France." "We could really nail him on that one." "When do you have your lunch with him?" "With Shelly Runyon?" "I'm not having lunch with him." "Friday, 1:00." "It's scheduledtomorrow." "It's automatic." "He's committee chairman." "It was set up." "S. O. P." " Laine." " Shelly." "I'm sorry I started." "You were late." " I'm not too late, I hope." " A minute or two." " Were you tied up with anything?" " No, sorry." "I'm just late." " Hi, Clem." "You too." " Senator, nice to see you." " I ordered you the porterhouse." " No, I don't eat meat." " I'll have the penne." " You should really" " Mmm." " Try the steak." "Ask Hugo to burn it on the outside." " No, thankyou." "I really don't eat meat." "I'll just go ahead with the penne." " Spicy?" " Yes, please." "Thanks." "So, how are..." "Will and the boy?" "Let's forego the small talk today, Shelly." " It'll make me feel cheap." " Let the big talk begin." "Haveyouseen this?" "That's my" " That's my fil le on you, Senator." " Mm-hmm." " How did you get it?" "Have you read it yet?" "How did you get it?" "Haveyoureadit?" " What do you have to say foryourself?" " With all due respect... um, Senator..." " it doesn't matter what I have to say for myself." " Oh, it doesn't?" "It seems to me, Mr. Chairman, all you can claim about me-- claim, is that I had sex" " Deviant sex." " Whosays it was deviant?" "I do." "And what Isay, thepeople will believe." "Andyouknow why?" "Because I'll have a very big microphone in front of me." "Wow, you must really hate me, Shelly." "I don'thateyou." "It's notpossible to hateyou." "You're" "What the hell was it that Reynolds called you the other day?" "Groovy." "You're a groovy chick." "No, what I, um, do detest is your selfii shness." "Ihave servedthis nation withoutregard forpersonal income forover tenyears." "Youare selfiish becauseyou want to take on ajob thatpositionsyou to assume... a mantle ofgigantic responsibility... and you do it full well with the knowledge" "Ofwhat?" "What?" "Greatness is the orphan of urgency, Laine." "Greatness only emerges when we need it most... in times ofwar or calamity." "I can't ask somebody to be a Kennedy or a Lincoln." "They were men created by their times." "What I can ask for is the promise ofgreatness." "And that, Madam Senator... you don't have." "Well, then..." "I just wouldn't be using sex as leverage... if I were you, Sheldon." "Because there 's one thing you don't want." "It's a woman with her fii nger on the button who isn't getting laid." "Will that be the argument the senator offers up before the committee?" "[ Laughing ]" "Sir?" "Can Igetyou something to drink?" " Uh, no, I'm fii ne." "Thankyou." " You sure?" "No, great." "Thanks a lot." " Ah, Mr. Webster." " Mr. President." " Good to see you." " It's an honor, sir." " I've been meaning to have you up here for some time." " Really?" "Excuse me." "Willie?" "Thankyou, Willie." "Yeah, you betcha." "You unseated that old bastard Bettis." "He must've voted against me 70 percent ofthe time." "You know what this is?" "That's a shark steak sandwich." "Fucking shark steak." " You want half?" " Uh, no, thankyou." " Are you a vegan?" "Had lunch?" " No." "Uh" "So you choose not to break bread with the president ofthe United States?" "[ Laughs ] Thankyou." "When I was in the Senate, Bettis could always be counted to leave halfa grand at the poker table." "Always stayed in, never folded." "Always wanted that miracle card." " That's good, isn't it?" " Mm-hmm." "Now, Truman, he was a poker player." "Damn fii ne one, as I understand it." "Son, I understand you may be making a mess ofour plans... to put Laine Hanson into the vice president mansion." "Right now, sir, I cannot see supporting Laine Hanson." " How old are you?" " Me, I'm 28." "And at that age and experience, you thinkyou're the one to sit and judge Mrs. Hanson?" "Well, that's the whole point, isn't it?" "I am, sir." "Mr. Webster, I'm asking you to lay off... as a personal favor." "It's one thing to break ranks and vote against my candidate... but to actively attack her from the bench, that's another." "Mr. President, I just don't believe in Laine Hanson... especially when we have at our disposal Governor Hathaway." "He's a party loyalist and genuine hero." "And I cannot and shall not vote for a candidate simply because she's a woman." "I am nothing if I do not follow my heart, sir." "I envyyou." "I do." "You know why?" "Because someday, years from now, you're gonna come in here with your fa mily... and you're gonna look up at my painting... and you'll be able to say to them, your kids and grandkids..." ""Way back then I defii ed my president." "It cost me my reelection, kept me out of politics forever." "I was on the track to maybe one day end up here... destined to make the kind ofchanges in this country... that only great men, given the right time and place, can make... and I have none ofthat now, but that's okay... because I did what was in my heart."" "The heart, it can never be wrong, can it, Mr. Webster?" "Mmm." "Delicious." "You got a little" "Hi." "I'mJack Hathaway." "Howareyou?" "Hi, sir." "Um" "Ow." "I'm SpecialAgent Willomina." "Sure is goodofyou to meetme." "It's a pleasure." "How can I help you?" "I know you're busy, so this will be as routine as it gets." " Did my girl offeryou coffee or something to drink?" " Oh, yes, she did." "She was very nice, your girl." "Yes, she is." "She's very nice." "So like I said, I just want to cross a couple oft's, little stuff." "It's all just part ofthe process." "By the way, sir, I was real impressed with your graciousness..." " on the whole Senator Hanson thing." " Oh?" "Youknow, in supporting her." "Realgracious." "Well, as you know, I withdrew my name from consideration." "Right." "Right." "And I think she's a real fii ne choice." "Anybody that knows her knows that." "How long have you known her?" " Oh, well, actually, I don't really" " I'm sorry." "When you said, "Anybody that knows her"" " Iknowpeople who knowher." " Uh-huh." " I'm happy to give you their names, ifyou'd like." " Great." "I don't really know her, but I've seen her several times at functions... and, uh, I think she'll do a real good job." "Sir, can I just say that..." "I was really hoping you'd go for the position... especially after what happened on the Apachaway." "I think people would think, in the back oftheir minds..." ""This here's a guy who takes risks when the right thing's at stake."" " Lifesaver?" " No, thanks." "Anyway, some real bad luck, your being right there." "Not if I'd been able to save her." "No, no, in the crabbing area." "It'sjust that you were fiishing forbass, so" " That probably explains why we didn't catch anything." "[Laughing]" "You fii sh in the Apachaway a lot, so I thought that you would know that, but" "I don't fii sh a lot." " I thought your equipment was pretty sophisticated, but" " There 's a difference... between wanting to fii sh and having time to fii sh." "Tell me about it." "Andhe freedtheslaves and won the Civil War." " That's right!" "He was probably ourgreatestpresident." " Even greater than George Washington?" " It's a running debate." " Laine Hanson." " Oh, Mr. President." "And you must be one Timothy Hanson." " Timothy Muskie Hanson." " [ Chuckles ]" "Well, Timothy Muskie Hanson, how would you like a great big cookie?" "Any kind." " No, thankyou." "Any kindatall." "Oatmeal, white chocolate" "Actually, wejust had dinner, but thanks." "I n that case, shall we have our picture taken, young man?" "Hmm?" " How do I look?" " Your tie 's a little crooked." "Well, can't take a picture like that." "Will you straighten it for me?" "Your mommy tells me you know more about the presidents than most grown-ups." " I like to study them." " Mmm!" "Me too." "I think we 're ready forbusiness, Dennis." " Sir." " You must be very proud ofyour mom." "Yeah, being the vice president is better than being the president." "Oh, I'm sure you're right." "'Cause nobody wants to shoot the vice president." "So, you must be feeling pretty excited about now." "Please sit." " Hmm?" " Well, I think I'm a little nervous." "Well, good!" "Good." "Night before a confii rmation hearing." "Anything else, I would've withdrawn your name." " What about this Webster, sir?" " Ah, one second." "Anybody here hungry?" " No, thanks." " No, sir, I'm not." "Thanks." "Otto, could you whip up some Kung Pao chicken, but with walnuts?" "[ Otto Over I ntercom ] No problem, sir." "Ah, the kid." "Met him." "You know this young congressman, Webster?" "No, sir, I don't." "No matter." "He reminds me of me when I was his age." "That's bad." "K, you need to put out word that no matter what this kid does... nobody's to give him a hard time." "He's misguided, but he's got something." "And one day, who knows?" "All right, sir." "I'm sure the senator can handle Mr. Webster." "There is one concern we needto" "[Evans] Oh, right, concern." "Laine?" "K told me about your little sexual romp in college." "Shit." "Tomorrow is the 1 7th." " Glenda?" " [Woman] Yes, sir?" "TomorrowisJacobson's birthday." "Haveyougotsomething for theson ofa bitch?" "Yes, sir." "You got him a leather-bound Don Quixote." "Oh, good." "Good gift." "Metaphorical gift." "He'll be trying to fii gure out why I got him that forever." "Ah, were you married at the time?" "Uh, I was a freshman in" "You know, sir, I'm just not going to comment on the whole thing." "It's beneath me and it's beneath the press." "That's the way togo." "Fuck thepress." "SenatorHanson does notkiss andtell." " It's perfect." " Maybe I was too rough on Shelly in Hartford." "Then this would all be moot, 'cause you wouldn't be president, sir." "You know what?" "Married, unmarried, One guy, two guys, the whole football team." "Who the fuck cares?" "You just look those bastards in the eye and tell them exactly that." "These guys, they're gonna confii rm you." "But they want to embarrass you in the process." "They want to send you into this administration as a virus." "So you have only one choice." " Yes, sir?" " Don't... be embarrassed." "[Runyon] Two hours, gentlemen." "It is now up to us to light the spark... which will result in a moral uprising, so that we may have... a new birth of national honesty... and decency." "And sometimes in this process... you will question even yourselves." "And that's good, that's healthy." "For what are we ifwe are not what we believe?" "Laine Hanson..." "is a cancer." "A cancerofliberalism." "A cancer ofdisloyalty." "Hernomination itselfis the cancer ofaffirmative action." "What we willsing with voices stentorian... is thatshe is the cancer ofvirtuous decay." "Clausewitz said that war is the natural extension of politics." "Butpolitics is also the extension ofwar." "They are one andthesame." "In this war, there will be casualties." "But so help me God... not among us." "[Reporter] Senator, could we have a word?" "[ Chattering ]" "The president canceled his golfgame with me." " He always cancels his golfgame." "Don't worry about it." " Not with me." " Kermit, can I talk toyouasecond?" " We 'll talk later." "[Hollis] They're home, they're watching, they're proud." "[GavelBanging]" " Lewis, this is it." "Thankyou." "Order." "Order." "Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Sheldon B. Runyon from the great state of I llinois." "It is my privilege and my honor... to serve as the chairman ofthese special hearings." "We are here today for only the third time in our history... to ensure the proper implementation ofthe 25th amendment... and for the fii rst time... the House has taken on that responsibility." "Myselfand my esteemed colleagues are determined... to ensure that this very important matter be handled with... expedition and dignity." "We are proud to welcome our friend and colleague, Laine Hanson." "Madam Senator, I welcomeyou." "Thankyou, Mr.-- Thankyou, Mr. Chairman." "Will the "gentlelady"from Ohio please rise andraiseyour righthand?" "Madam Senator, doyouswear to tell the truth... the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?" " I do." " Please beseated." "Mr. Chairman, point oforder." "The Chair recognizes Mr. WebsterofDelaware." "Mr. Chairman, I direct your attention to page 1 6... tab C-25 ofthe ledger, a transcript ofthe Q-and-A session... between the nominee andseveralstudents from Harvard University." " Page 16?" " Page 16at the bottom ofthepage." "You'llsee the following remarks in reference to a question... regarding the separation ofchurch and state." "The nominee said, and I quote, "The separation exists... because we cannot have a fa iry tale govern a nation."" "What, sir, is the point?" "The senatorjust swore an oath to an entity she does not believe in." "Madam Senator, you understand... that you have promised to be truthful to this committee?" "Andthatlying to this body is perjury, punishable by law?" " Yes, I do understand that." "Well, I think we're all agreed... that even though the senator has shown a disdain... for religion and those practicing it... which is her constitutional right... that does notnecessarily, Mr. Webster, make hera liar." "I'm confii dent we can proceed." " Madam?" " Yes?" "For the record, wouldyou stateyour name andaddress?" "Yes." "My name is Laine Hanson." "My address is" "[Woman] You canjust do that, pullphone records?" "[Willomina]I work foraprettypowerfulguy." "[Woman] Yeah, we 're close, we were close fora while." "That's till recently, ofcourse." "Our career paths sort ofwent in different directions." "At least you have your life." "There's nothing sinister going on here." "At this point, wejust need... to look at every aspect of her life and fii nd everyone that knew her." "You never know what you're gonna fii nd." " Did you fii nd anything?" " No, no, not really." "Not really?" "You mean" "A little bit, actually." "I did speak to other classmates, and they told me she was pretty wild." "Wild?" "Yeah, she was wild." "Wild enough you can be sure the tabloids are gonna have a fil eld day." "Have you spoken to them?" "Um, me?" "No." "But somebody somewhere's gonna talk." " But not you." " Uh-uh, no." " It's okay ifyou have." "We're not gonna lockyou up." " No, I haven't." "So no one like, maybe, the NationalEnquirer... or one ofthose silly television programs..." " that show, um" " Access" " Confiidential?" "No, no, no." "I don't know anything." "The last time I talked to her it was just, "The kid this, the kid that."" "According to our records, you spoke to her on the 1 5th." " Three weeks ago?" " Yeah." "Yeah, that makes sense." "I" " She was going to Vegas." "Oh, is that right?" "Vegas?" "She asked me to go along with her." "It was gonna be her treat." "I couldn't go because I had to work." "We were gonna stay at one ofthose ritzy new places." "The, um, Bellage--?" " The Bellagio?" "Right." " Yeah." " With the contortionist." " I've never been." "You've been going through my desk." "Itnevercrossedmy mind when I was ayounger woman... that I'dbe this age andnothave kids." "Somehow in my mind, kids." "Raising them, making them good people." "That's what I wanted." "Then I met you, and I realized that I'd be... trading my dreams so that we could live yours." "We sacrifiicedall ofthat so we could do good." "We have done good." "I was neverprouder whenyou fought to make hate crimes a capitalandfederaloffense." "Youstoodso tall, defying the world, andyou won." "It was then that Irealizedthatall ofoursacrifiices were noting vain... thatyou were agoodman." "Andnow, everythingyouhave everachieved will be eliminated... because, with this horrible fiilth... you'll go down as a second-rateJoe McCarthy." "Your problem, Shelly, is that you have no sense of history." "She's no good." "[Laine Indistinct Over TV]" "Come on!" "Come on." "See, Daphne?" "This is how you get to the top." "Lew?" "Lew?" "[Runyon]Ihave an issue tospeak of, andI'm mostgravely concerned." "Ifthis body will indulge me, Ihave before me... aperfect example ofthe need for this institution... to pass the I nternet Libel Protection Act." "In the Nichols Report piece... postedto 40 million Internetsubscribers... it is claimed that you, Senator... were involved in a sexual imbroglio while in college." "Thatis... trading favors... with severalpartners in exchange forentry into asorority." "Though I will not waste the committee's time with such... nefa rious and sleazy innuendoes..." "I will not deny the senator her right to respond." "Mr. Chairman, I have nothing to" "I will not respond to this article." "Isay "Bravo " toyou, Senator." "Bravo to you." "First let me state... that I encourage every American... and every citizen on this planet to boycott... the Nichols Report." "This is the type offiilth anddegeneratepornography... thatshouldnotsee the light ofday." "I can only assume, Senator, that you will... not only bring suit against the perpetrators of... but also against the remarkable look-alike who appears in these disgusting photos." "And whenyou do fille suit, know thatit comes with my fullsupport." "Your refusal to deny this report ofsexual deviance... will not have an effect on this committee... on whether or not it votes to advise and consent to your nomination." "Mr. President, doyouhave a comment on the allegations made on the Internet today?" "I'm not gonna discuss any allegations, especially those on the I nternet." "But, sir, the sexual allegations were made very public today by Congressman Runyon." " And I'm sure he quite regrets that." " [ Everyone Chuckling ]" "Sir, ifyouagree with the allegations, oragree the allegations are accurate... doyou think thatSenatorHanson is morally fiit to take office?" "I'll tell you what." "I'm sure that President Mateo and I... would both welcome the votes ofonly those people... with sexual indiscretions in their past." "We'd be landslide victors every time." "Hey, Sheila." " They've been waiting foryou forabout ten minutes." " Okay." "Hey." " Henry, I gotta talk to you in fiive minutes, okay?" " Okay." "[Chattering]" "How about "Her involvement in prostitution"?" "No, no." "You gotta couch it like it's something... for the FB-- the AG to investigate." " Hi, Reggie." " Hi." "Well, how about, "How embarrassing it is..." " that the--" No, no, no." " Who" " What?" " Where's Gilmore?" " Gilmore." " Um, Idaho?" "Iowa?" "Can I interrupt for one second?" "We're all set with America Live." "What are you guys talking about?" "We'rejust going over our statement... in response to The Washington Post story." " What story?" " The one that says the secret investigation is ongoing... to determine whether she accepted money... for her activities in college." "I didn't hear about this." "Well, it's, uh-- It's, um" "It'll be in..." "tomorrow afternoon's edition." "J ust in time for the congressman to make his statement... and just in time for it to stick in the minds ofamericans over the weekend." "Wh" " What's the source?" "Where'd they get the story?" " Unnamed sources close to the investigation." " I see." "Al." " Al!" " Yes?" "We can, um" " Let's" "Let's dot the I's, cross the T's on this one later." "All right, thankyou." "I, uh" "I think I have some self-righteous indignation coming my way." "Well, is there any truth whatsoever to the story?" "There will be an investigation." "She's gonna have the truth on her side." " She's gonna deny it and make us all look like fools." " Let her." "Let her denyjust that part ofthe story." " Hold here." " What?" "Oh." "That's all right." "I can do that myself." "Yeah." "Thankyou." "America Live is not in the circus business." " Pete's always fa ir." "[Laine] Should Ihearanything in this?" "You're gonna be vicepresident." " You'll talk about legitimate issues ofconcern." " Right." "Where is the senator's monitor?" "There is no monitor for her." "She'll hear Pete in the earpiece." "That is a piece ofshit." "We talked about this, Ray." "IfPeter's gonna be able tosee her, she has to be able tosee him." " He's got a sensory advantage over her." " You wanna pull her?" "I'm not talking about pulling her." "I'm just saying it's bullshit." "She was just great in the hearings today." "Cool and collected." " Steve Poullet." " Hi." "[ Chattering ]" "Should I hear anything?" "Oh, I got it." "Okay, great." "Oh, it's that one." "Yeah, I know." "Can't hear-- Yeah, right, got it." "Okay, I've got the intro now." "Thankyou for having me, Peter." "Sure, that'd be fil ne." "Well, it has been a taxing experience... butifwe 're forcedto take the voters out ofthe equation..." "I think that the vetting system bysimple necessity mustbe arduous." "Mmm." "Ihave topleadmotherhood on that one, Pete... but Inot onlyserved on the Foreign Relations Committee..." "Isponsoredthe Hanson-Fineman Bill which readjustedthe WarPowers Act... to allow the executive to respond tostate-sponsoredterrorism... like that of I raq, Libya, North Korea, for instance." "But rather than boring you with my resume..." "I'd rather answeryour questions on specifii c issues offoreign policy." "I suppose I could askyou, Mr. Crenshaw, how you'd feel in the same situation." "Why would I answer that foryou?" "Sorry." "It's simply a privacy issue." "Look, I won't address issues ofsexuality in a hearing room... or on national television or anywhere else for that matter." " Where's the control room for America Live?" " Down the hall." "Excuse me." "The controlroom for America Live?" " Where is the fucking control room?" " Right down there." "Fuck!" "Down here, down here, down here!" "Don't tell me we're gettin' sandbagged!" "We're getting sandbagged!" "I knew you couldn't trust this fucking guy!" "SenatorHanson, doyourecognize Mr. Poullet?" "Un, no." "I don't have a monitor, so I can't see him." "[Poullet] The truth is, Lainey andIhadthat one incident." "I don'tbelieve we ever saweach otheragain after that." "To her credit, she was very drunk when she had sex... with my friends, uh, my brothers and I." "A sandbag is what it is." "He's fucking your friend." "He has obviously infii ltrated your show." "Mrs. Hanson, you still have not taken a stand on the accuracy ofthis report." "It's very accurate, andthosephotos are accurate too." "We had them on the frat house bulletin board for months." "We called that "Life in the Sex Laine."" " What are we gonna do now?" " We're gonna sue him." "I will not dignify those remarks oryour questions with a response." "Good evening." "Theguy's ajerk." "We 're nevergonna put ourpeople on thatshowagain." "Some asshole called in and made this idiot claim." "Hell, they've gotta investigate." "The whole situation's a son ofa bitch." "I wouldlike tostart bysaying... thatmuch has been made ofthe reports in thepress ofan investigation... into the possible-- possible, I say again-- criminal behavior on the part ofthe nominee." "This committee will wait for a report from the FBI... before taking this matterup." "However, I'll once again afford the nominee an opportunity to respond." "I, too, will wait for the FBI report before responding." "Madam Senator." "Tell us a little bit about your fa mily." "You have a son." "Mm-hmm." "Yes, I have one six-year-old boy, Timothy." "That's a very nice age." "Now, Isee here that whenyou... had Timothy, you were absent from your duty... for a few months' maternity leave." " It's the right ofevery mother to be able to take maternity" " Paid maternity leave." "Yes." "I don't believe we should penalize our citizens for having children." "I think I'm onsafe groundsaying that valuing motherhoodis quite nonpartisan." " [ Gallery Chuckling ]" " Um, wereyou togetpregnantagain... do you plan to take maternity leave?" "Um, I've not given that any consideration." "No?" "Areyoustill able to bearchildren?" "Yes, I am-- I believe, yes, I am." "Yetyouhave notgiven this matterany consideration." "Perhaps that means-- No, strike that." "Madam Senator... let us assume you ascended to the presidency... and you were to have a child during your term." "Would you cede your duties to your vice president and for how long?" "Mr. Chairman, would the chair expect to have the designate assure this committee... thatshe wouldhave her tubes tied before she assume office?" " Mr. Chairman, Ihumbly requestapoint oforder." " You will be afforded one." " With all due respect" " You will be afforded one when I am fii nished." "The truth is that while we have notputasealon the concept ofhaving anotherchild... my husband and I practice birth control." "Mm-hmm." "Okay, I would now like to... enter the arena ofloyalty." "Loyalty is a revered quality among vice presidents." "Would you agree?" " Yes, very much so." "Yes." " Yetyou chose to officially move... from the Republican to the Democratic party when you left the House to run for the Senate." "I view switching parties as a testament to my loyalty to my country." "I felt that the Republican party had shifted from the ideals that I cherished through myyouth." "As a Republican, did you ever... vote along party lines but against your own beliefs ?" "No, never." " Youstill believe in every voteyoumade?" " Yes." " I ncluding your vote to impeach President Clinton?" " Yes, I do." "That was an issue offa irness." "The president, as commander in chief, stood by... while severalmilitary officers, including candidates for the chairman oftheJoint Chiefs... were prosecutedforadultery or were notpermitted... to advance their careers." "I am opposed to making adultery, or even lying about it, a crime in our armed forces." "But while it is a law, it should be enforced without consideration of rank... even ifthatrank is commanderin chief." "Perhaps the senator is unaware that commander in chief is not actually a military rank." "Iam aware ofthat." "What I think we can say of President Clinton is that he was not guilty but responsible." "[Gallery Laughing]" ""Not guilty but responsible."" "I am-- I like that." "[ Laughing ] I, uh, I-I may, uh" " I may use that." " Ifyou wish, you can go ahead." " Thankyou." "When--[Clears Throat] When consideringyou for the vicepresidency... we must also consideryour worthiness as commander in chief." " Wouldyouagree?" " Yes, I do." "In that case, givenyour feelings on the matter... have you ever committed adultery?" " No, I have not." " No?" "You're quite sure?" "Madam Senator, you understand that, uh, you are under oath." "Yes, I understand that, between the two of us, I'm the one that's under oath." "Whenyouguys go before theAntitrust Committee, don'tyou want Hank onyourside?" "Sure, butnotatanyprice." "Last time we spoke, you were sitting where you are now." "Hank was sitting where Len is." "You started telling him what a shame it would be... ifthe refrigeration systems on the trucks went out." "Hank's a hothead, and he took that as a threat." "Ifwe were threatening him, he'd know it." "That's what I thought, but now we have some massaging to do." "Hank's gotta be treated with kid gloves." " SenatorHanson?" "Congressman Webster's here toseeyou." " Sorry." "Yep?" " Guess we got our ten minutes." " Okay, send him in." "No, I want to resolve this." "I do.J ust give me a few minutes." "Ifyou want something to drink, Jerry will take care ofyou." " We're gonna get back into this?" " We will." "We will." "Senator, you want me to sit in?" "Make sure the congressman's clear on everything?" "We 'll be fline." "Won't we, Mr. Webster?" "We 'll be all right." "Thanks." "Proud ofyourself?" "So, what can I do foryou, Mr. Webster?" "I'm sure you're wondering why I'm here." "I thinkyou're here because you want to know why I'm not fii ghting back." "Because despite itall, you've got some oddsense offairplay." "You're kicking my ass." "It's gone from feeling like easy pickings to out-and-out bullying." "I feel like there should be some back and forth between us, you and the committee." "I'llgiveyouback andforth on Social Security, relations with Israel... on the DowJones, the census, almost everything, but not this." "No, not my personal life." "It's just nobody's business." "That's not what the people will tell you: the people will tell you it is their business... that you're setting standards of morality for their children." "Especially their girls." "Have you ever heard of Isaac Lamm?" " Isaac Lamm?" "No." " He was the fiirst one to come before HUA C... the House Un-American Activities Committee." "He was also the fii rst one to name names, fii rst to cooperate with the government." "The dominoes fell from there." "Careers crushed, families destroyed." "J ust imagine, Mr. Webster, if Mr. Lamm had just said, "Fuckyou," to the committee." "I magine how much harder he would've made it for them." "Are you accusing the committee ofsexual McCarthyism?" "Well, it's not necessary to make the accusation." "Oh, I just can't respond to the committee's lightly veiled accusations... because it's not okay for them to be made." "Or maybe you can't respond because the answers you have to give are too embarrassing." "You know what?" "You're young." "That's okay." "That's okay." "You're young." "I'm gonna choose to be amused byyour na'i'vete, give you the benefii t ofthe doubt." "I'm gonna spell it out foryou even more clearly." "If I were a man, nobody would care... how many sexual partners I had in college." "Andifit's notrelevant fora man, it's notrelevant fora woman." "Jerry, send the folks back in, please." "I gotta fii nish this up." "[Mrs. Runyon] He 's nota badman." "He believes in whathe's doing." "There 's an oddsort ofintegrity there." "Butin this business, with so much atstake... it's not enough to believe in yourself, you have to be right." "This is an ideological rape ofall women." " Timmy, that's a little too high." " Okay, Mommy." "Thankyou, sweetie." "Well, then I'll survive it for all of us." "Tomorrowmorning Congressman Marshall is gonna askyou questions." "He's going to hit you with abortion." "I promise you that Shelly will fii nd some way to call you a baby killer." "We 're ready forhim." "Ourpositionpapers are fiirst-rate." " Every one ofthem." " Youlethim fiinish." "Then you look him in the eye and you ask him..." ""Mr. Runyon, 20 years ago your wife Maggie had an abortion." "Do you think her a murderer?"" "He 's a hypocrite." "No, he's not." "Shelly has no idea." "Are you saying you would appoint a Supreme Courtjustice... basedon his beingpro-choice?" "Mr. Marshall, the vice president does not appoint Supreme Courtjustices." "Should you succeed the president or even advise the president?" "I would be inclined, though not without fexibility... to disregard any man or woman who is pro-life from serving on the High Court." "So you would allow a personal political beliefto enter into such a decision?" "Abortion isn't a constitutional issue." "The fil ne ladies and gentlemen who serve on the Supreme Court... which is now stacked with right-wing appointees... have no business deciding whether women have to resort to back-alley abortions" "You mean they have no business deciding whether women have a license to commit murder." "[Runyon] Mr. Marshall, your time has expired." "Sir, ifthe distinguished "gentlelady" from Ohio would answer the question" "I think the lady has made clear herpropensity forabortion." " Come on, Mr. Runyon!" " Mr. Lewis, you do not have speakingprivileges." "Mr. Chairman, I fii nd your term, "propensity for abortion"... misrepresentative of my position." "I have a propensity for a woman's right to choose." " To aborta child!" "A fetus." "To kill a baby as it grows in the womb." "Personally, Senator..." "I do not believe that it is the right ofour citizens... to-- to butcher a defenseless human being simply-- simply as a matter ofchoice." "At the risk of my own future, I tell you this:" "Ifyou support the right... ofa woman to choose, youare supporting... nothing less than a-a-a holocaust ofthe unborn." "Mr. Chairman, are you calling me" "I believe my position on this issue is clear." "Yes, madam, it most certainly is." "God, I love this game." "[ Chuckles ]" "[ Coughing ]" "When she tries to tell me how to do it, I do it my way." "Then she comes back and changes it afterwards, and that way" "Jeez." "[ Coughing ]" "Good one, sir." "You're an all-weather golfer, I see." "What kind ofstick you using there?" " It's a putting stick." " Right, putting stick." "When I asked foryou last week, they said you were in Vegas." " Business, sir." " Vegas is business?" "I did blow a roll ofquarters." "Will you excuse us?" " How's that cough doing?" " Aah." "That's her casino account balance." "She offered to take her sorority sister to Vegas, her treat." "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you God?" "I do." "Pleasestateyour name for the record." "Cynthia C-H-A-R-L-T-O-N Lee." "Thankyou." "Please beseated." "We willstart the questioning with Mr. Skakle." "Mr. Skakle, the fiive-minute rule is in effect." "Thankyou, Mr. Chairman." "Miss Lee." "Miss Lee, hello." "I'm over here." "Thankyou forjoining us." "Now, you are under subpoena, is that correct?" "Yes." " Miss Lee, couldyouspeak directly into the mike?" " Yes." "I understandyou're nervous, butbelieve me when I tellyouyou're among friends." "Miss Lee, youare notmarried." "No" " No." " No, I'm not." " Butyou once were." "I was married to William Hanson." " Who is now married to the nominee." " Yes." "He married Laine after our divorce." "It was about seven years ago." "Divorce." "Right." "I've readyour divorcepapers." "Ladies andgentlemen, thatby the way is tab 76." "They cite irreconcilable differences." "Couldyou tell us, what were those irreconcilable differences?" "I can't really pinpoint them." " Wasyour husband physically violent toyou?" " No." "Didyouhave fiinancial disagreements ordisagreements overhow to raiseyour kids?" "We didn't have children." " Were there infiidelities?" " Yes." "There was one." "Is itsafe tosay that this infiidelity precipitatedthe divorce?" "Miss Lee, please answer the question verbally." "Was that a yes?" "Yes, it was." "It was a yes." " Didyou, ma'am, have the affair?" " No." " It was your husband then?" " Yes." "Will-- Will was in charge... ofLaine Billings 's fiirstsenatorialcampaign." "He was with her all the time." "Are you suggesting the senator, the nominee, had an affa ir with your husband?" " Once again, Miss Lee" " I'm sorry." "Yes." "Yes, yes." "Thankyou." "Did the nominee know Mr. Hanson was married?" "Laine was my friend." "My good, good friend." "Miss Lee, wouldyou explain to this committee asyou didinyour deposition... howyou discovered that the nominee was involved... in an affa ir with your husband?" "Yes." "Um" "On the night ofthe elections, I was at home." "I had the fu." "I was watching TV, watching Laine about to make her acceptance speech." "I was very sad that I couldn't be there." "It was a triumph for Laine and my husband." "She was up at thepodium." "Will was by herside." "He was holding herhand in victory." "On the otherside ofLaine... she wasjustsort ofclasping thatperson's hand." "But with Will... their hands were interlaced." "It was odd that I noticed it, but" "Um, my doorbell rang." "I answered the door, and there was a gentleman there... dressed very nicely, he had a yellow tie on." "He had papers for me." " Papers?" "I'm sorry." " Separation papers." "Since the committee chose to humiliate aprivate woman in the mostpublicpossible setting..." "I would like to apologize to her alike... and I will also do so privately when she allows me to do so." "Um, what I did to Miss Lee was wrong." "It was not done out of malice." "I ndeed the opposite." "Um... love is an involuntary refex, and I fell victim to it." "Um, I deeply regret causing Cynthia pain... and it is especially saddening for me because... of how close we once were." "And whether or not the affa ir that Will and I had... should have any bearing on my assuming offii ce is for the committee to decide." "I dare not assume that I have the objective wisdom to make that determination." "Thankyou." " Senator, are you suggesting the public" " Okay, she's had a long day." "You know what she's going through." "Come on, come on." "You know what she's going through." "Come on, come on." "She was your best friend." "Runyon deposed Will's ex-wife today, and, uh... she stated that Will and I had had an affa ir" "She saw her fucking holding hands, interlocked fii ngers with this gal... and she knew that she'd been fucking him." "That's what she said." " I'm sorry." "[Newman]It's a badbeat." "I'm not sure that I get the point ofall this." " You said under oath that you never committed adultery." " That's right." " Youperjuredyourself." " I didn't commit adultery." " You were fucking Will when he was married." " All right." "Even the mostloose defiinition ofcommitting adultery wouldnotinclude that." "Goddamn it, she's right." "You're right." "In orderforit to be committing adultery, she'dhave to be marriedat the time." "You're nitpicking in reverse now." "Your husbandmay have been an adulterer." "You're not." "Fine." "What you are is a sex-crazed, home-wrecking machine." "The female Warren Beatty." "Runyon knows that you're clean ofthe perj ury... but he's got the world thinking you're something out ofa bad soap opera." "You've goddamned crystallized the difference between being guilty and being responsible." "Are you asking me to step down, sir?" "No, it's not gonna be that easy foryou, and it's not gonna be that easy for them." "They caught you being a human being." "That's all." "I'll die before Shelly Runyon checkmates me." "I think thepresident's trying tosay the Sitting Bull routine isn't working." " The Sitting Bull routine?" " No!" "Fight back." "Show them Laine Hanson isn't gonna take their shit." "Take the fii ght out of'em." " What's the process?" " Confess." " Confess?" " Yeah, confess." " Confess." "Confess to the gang-bang." "Confess to all of it." "[Evans]Look whatit did for Clinton with Flowers." " Play itany wayyou want." "It didn't hurt his numbers." "It improved his numbers." "Show indignation about how a man would never have to go through hell for having done this." "Confess anddemonstrate to theyoung women ofAmerica... howsuch sexualimpropriety can ruin their lives." "Confess and preach about the dangers that alcohol can bring to you." "For God's sakes, just confess!" "I understand, Kermit, truly." "I understand, and you know what?" "It's really nobody's business." "Well, itis our fucking business!" "Listen, Laine..." "I don't care who you fucked... and how many times in how many positions... as long as it doesn't threaten the administration." "You can be cavalier onyour own dime." "Mr. President." "[ Sighs ]" "I am fully prepared to step down... but my personal life... and my past... arejust that." "But I will do whateveryou say." "Show them why Laine Hanson is my nominee with your closing statement." "Mr. Chairman... ladies and gentlemen ofthe committee:" "Uh, remarkably enough, it seems that I have some explaining to do." "So..." "let me be absolutely clear." "I stand for a woman's right to choose." "I stand for the elimination ofthe death penalty." "I stand for a strong and growing armed forces... because we must stomp out genocide on this planet... and I believe that that is a cause worth dying for." "I stand for seeing every gun taken out ofevery home." "Period." "I stand for making the selling ofcigarettes to ouryouth a federal offense." "I stand for term limits and campaign reform." "And, Mr. Chairman, I stand for the separation ofchurch and state... and the reason that I stand for that is the same reason that I believe our forefathers did." "It is not there to protect religion from the grasp ofgovernment... but to protect our government from the grasp of religious fa naticism." "I may be an atheist... but that does not mean I do not go to church:" "I do go to church." "The church I go to is the one that emancipated the slaves... that gave women the right to vote." "It gave us every freedom that we hold dear." "My church is this very chapel ofdemocracy that we sit in together... and I do not need God to tell me what are my moral absolutes." "I need my heart, my brain and this church." "Get in there, get in there." "Oh, shoot!" "Come on, come on, come on!" " Senator?" "Oh" " Hello, Freshman." "Senator, I just wanted to steal a couple ofseconds." "What?" "See what whores do on their time off?" "Listen, I know the things I've done." "They may not have been nice or considered politically savvy... but they have served the greater good and they have been honest." "[ Chuckles ] Okay." "Look, I know you're not a whore." " I'm not gonna talk about it." " Iknow." "You're not talking aboutit." "Somebody else has come forward." "Somebody else from the night ofthe incident sent me this letter." "They didn 'tsendit to me." "Theysentit to the committee." "Ijusthappen to be in charge ofall the correspondence." "I don't thinkyou can keep quiet about what's in there." "Mr. Runyon has a copy, and now so do you." "Ibegyou, Senator, to deal with this." " How long is this fight?" " About an hour and 40 minutes." "POTUS is scheduled to address the American Legion on the third." " American Legion?" "Who approved that?" " I don'tknow." " I thought he had the D.A.R. dinner that night." " We have a fiive-hour window." " Hey, Chuck." " Hey, Kermit." "Did you get the AP reports?" " What's that?" " POTUS's poll numbers are down 23%%." " And Hanson's in the low 30s." " Get in there." "I'll talk to you in a minute." " Are you Willomina?" " Yes, sir." "You asked to see me?" " Is this your handiwork?" " Yes, sir." " How many people have seen this?" " I gave it only to the director." " And who have you talked to about this?" " Nobody." "Not a husband?" "Boyfriend?" " Grandma in Kalamazoo?" " No, sir." "Nobody." " Keep it that way." " Yes, sir." "You did a good job, Special Agent." "Sir!" "Uh, sir, I just" " I just wanted to ask, askyou." "Um, well" "Are you gonna dump her?" "Sir, this may be really, really inappropriate... but ifthat's what you guys are thinking" "Please, you can't do it." "She's hope." "Hope that the standards-- That there is no double standard." "Hope that the goals can be the same." "You know what?" "You're goddamn right." "That was absolutely inappropriate." "Robertson." "[Runyon] I wouldn 't take it too hard." "It's not exactly fair whensix foxes andone chicken... are voting on what to have fordinner." "[Evans] Well, that's not playing fair." "I'llgiveyou that." "You wantan oatmealcookie?" " Trevor?" " I'm getting them, sir." "I fiindthesegiantraisins-- Well, you'llsee." "Taste like grapes." "Shelly, you really made a mess ofthings for me." "You sure did clobber me." "Isn't it possible, sir, that I was-- that I was acting..." " in the best interests ofthe United States?" " No." "It's not possible." "That's what pisses me off." "It's all about retribution for Hartford." "Thankyou, Trevor." "That'll be all." " Go ahead." "Try this." "It's wonderful." " No." "I may have taken the presidency from you, but you one-upped me." "You took away my legacy." "I look at her and I see someone who has proven the capacity for disloyalty." "Or the capacity for seeing the light." "We're both sticking to our guns." "The difference is..." "mine are loaded." "Look, it doesn'tmatter, does it?" "She's notbeing confiirmed." "We can talk for days about greatness and leadership... but Laine Hanson will notbe confiirmed." "I have seven from your side who are giving her the ax." "Oh, indeed, the ax?" "We cango through theprocess ofa vote." "You can waste time... and suffer the humiliation, or-- or we can just move on." " There's a lot ofgood folk to choose from." " Who?" "Who can I be certain you'll confii rm?" "The man you wanted in the fii rst place:" "Jack Hathaway." "Shelly." "Goodman." "Okay, Shelly..." "I'll give you GovernorJack Hathaway, but I wanna make damn sure..." "you'llgive him asmooth ride." " My word." "There's a reason they call me Honest Shell." "I rony, Shelly." "I want an insurance policy." "I want a piece ofthe rock." "I wanna make sure... you're notgonnapull some kindofbaloney out ofyour hat... andmake a mockery ofmy administration again." "Listen." "This is what I'm gonna do." "I'm gonna ask Mrs. Hanson and Mr. Hathaway up to the Oval Offii ce... before the D.A.R. banquet tomorrow night." "I wantyou there as well, but, Shelly... before then, I need you to marryyourselfto this guy." "Ineedyou to make apublic statement thatmakes his sinkingyoursinking." " Otherwise" " But I'm not sure I can" "Let's make this confii rmation fast and furious." " Help me save face on this one." " Okay." "Oh, man." "Mr. Runyon, preferI takeyouaroundback?" " No, I'll be fil ne." " Yes, sir." "How do you respond to the rumors that Mrs. Hanson has withdrawn her name?" "That is a rumor I've not yet heard." "Have you heard about the possibility ofGovernor Hathaway..." " returning to the list ofvice presidential" " Governor Hathaway is a fil ne man." "Will he have asmootherride than Mrs. Hanson?" "Let me go on record as saying... that in my opinion there is no man alive-- no Democrat alive-- who could bring... more integrity to the offii ce ofthe vice presidency." "I would stake my career... on Governor Hathaway's, uh, smooth and effii cient confii rmation." "[Runyon] As forLaine Hanson" " Got everybody, Glenda?" " Yes, sir." "He saysyou can go in wheneveryou're ready." " Great." "Hello,Jack." " Kermit." " Fiona, you're looking particularly fetching this evening." " Thankyou, sir." " I believe this is the fii rst one ofthese affa irs foryou, right?" " Yes." " My 37th." " You look great." " Hello, Shelly." " Newman." "Everybody would understand ifyou wanted to delay for two weeks." "I'm not sure I could stomach another two weeks." "Oh,Jack." "Jerry." "Good." " How are you?" "Mr. Hanson." "[Evans]Gentlemen.Jack." " Mr. President." "There he is!" "Shelly!" "Hello, Mr. President." "Uh, you know what?" "Before we get started..." "I can't stomach the idea... oftouching that chichi food we always get served at these state dinners." " Glenda?" " Yes, sir?" "Could we put togetheragrilled cheesesandwich?" "Muensteron rye." "Rightaway." "Oh, sorry." "Where are my manners?" "You guys want anything?" " No, thankyou, sir." " Shelly?" "Jesus, uh, Shell, those were some... very nice things you said aboutJack." "Jack, there." "I understand that you two have never met." " Laine Hanson,Jack Hathaway." " It's a pleasure." " I'm quite in awe ofyou." " Thankyou." "[Glenda] Mr. President?" " Yes, Glenda?" " Sir, the kitchen's all out ofMuenster." "Really?" "Wow." "Well, um, let's get on that." "We don't want the wheels coming offthe wagon." "This is, uh" "This is quite an event." "Here we are." "Quite a sad event." " Mr. President, if I may?" " Yes, please." "A short while ago, you told me that you thought I might be the future ofthe party." "Iknow that these are tough times... and the future is uncertain... but I'm very pleased to think that I might be able to help make things a little smoother." "The future, yes." "Well, there is one thing... quite certain about the future." " What's that?" " [ Coughs ] Sir?" " You have the right to remain silent" " Fred." " I have to read him his rights." " Fred, the governor, he knows his rights." "You know your rights, right,Jack?" "You don't have to humiliate him." "You fucked up, buddy." " Thegirl, doyouknow whatshe was?" " What girl?" " The girl in the river." " She was a paralegal." " Before that." " She was military." "Fourteen Golf." "We foundthe money thatyouput in heraccountat the Bellagio." " Two hundred thousand dollars." " And that ad in" " Soldier of Fortune." " Yeah, Soldier of Fortune." "I don't mind confessing, I am at a total fucking loss." "Shelly, he paid her to go off the fucking bridge." "He paidher tosave her." "Jesus Christ." " Shelly, maybe I" " You shouldn't say anything." "Jack, look, we respect" " You're going to have to come with me now." "Fred." "We respect you." "We're trying to make this go as smoothly as it possibly can." "I know you meant no harm." " Hell, I don't even know-- What would the charge be?" " Negligent homicide." "Oh, negligent homicide." "Sir." " Good luck, Mrs. Hanson." " You too." "Who doesn't want a shortcut to greatness?" "Oh, it's a goddamn shame about the Muenster." "Mr. President." "Yeah, Shelly?" "You set me up." "J ust this once." "For the record, sir..." "I fii nd what you did to be manipulative" "Mr. Chairman, let's just say..." ""I'm guilty but not responsible," hmm?" "Shelly, youneedn 't worry about us exposing the fact... thatyouleakedall thathorrible materialabout Laine on the Internet." "We know that you were just following your heart." "Yeah, Hartford, it was a tough one." "But" " Well, it doesn't make a difference." " She still is who she is." " Yes, she is." "Andyouare whoyouare." "You're still coming to the banquet, aren't you?" "Because I'd love to see you." "Is your wife in town?" "May I introduce tonight's honoree, Miss Barr?" " Congressman Webster." " Honor, madam." "And, Congressman, you know the senator, ofcourse." "We go about two feet back." "I asked them to have you seated at my table tonight." " Ifyou want to break bread with me." " Absolutely." " Don't eat all the hors d'oeuvres." " Shark steak sandwiches?" "Yeah." "Save me some." "Last time I shared one ofthese, it was with the president of Russia." "Or maybe it was the kid who won Wimbledon for the second time." "I'm honored, sir." "[ Coughing ]" "You're not supposed to inhale." "Maybe that's the fii rst thing you should've told me." "Recognize this affii davit?" "Where'd you get that, sir?" "Where you got yours." "Where Shelly Runyon got his." "From Mr. Webster." "He may not know his right from his left... but apparently he does know right from wrong." "I understand you even less now, Senator." " You are an enigma wrapped in a riddle." " Wrapped in a riddle." "Watch your step, Senator." "What if I told you that I'm just busting at the seams... to know what exactly happened that night-- to hear the truth from your own lips?" "Totally off the record." "Not between the president and the senator, but between the president and Laine." "Better than that." "BetweenJackson and Laine." "Well, I had just turned 1 8 when I got to college... and I had never been away from home, not really." "And I was immediately-- I was immediately lonely." "And that's when the sorority kicked in." "I wanted them, they wanted me." "I was the daughter ofthe governor, for chrissake." " True blue catch." " I guess so." "And like any other sorority, they have an initiation, a rush." "And they have this girl, this woman that Runyon deposed, Patty LaVamere." "She runs the sorority, and she gives it to me straight:" "If I wanna be in, I have to go to their brother fraternity and have sex... with two boys." "What a coup for them, huh?" "Daughter ofa big-time Republican doing a frat house?" "But I say, "There's no chance."" " The whole thing was pretty hairy." " I bet." "But six beers later, I'm talking a different tune... so off we go to the frat house." "Halfthe girls were there, about a zillion boys." "They're cheering my name." ""Laine!" "Laine!" "Laine!"" "And I'm just stumbling around." "Eventually I just say, "I'm gonna go for it."" "Ifgetting laid is a common initiation for boys in the frat... then why not for us, right?" " You're asking me?" " No, I'm not." "Oh, sorry." "Sorry." "Go ahead." "That's okay." "So they send me into this room." "It's dark and dim." "There are these two guys." "They both have towels wrapped around their waists." "And the fii rst guy, he slips his towel off." "And I see his thing, and" "I take it in my hand... and I say" " It was the fii rst thing that came into my head." " What did you say?" "I said, "I'm sorry, I don't smoke."" "[ Both Laughing ]" "And then I just got the hell out ofthere." "You okay, sir?" "Oh, no, I'm just thinking what I'd pay to be back in college again." "The next day, the campus was rampant with word... that I had been the center ofa gang-bang." "I mean, the governor's daughter." "Let me tell you." "That's one hell ofa bell to un-ring." " What about the photographs?" " Not me." "I never took my clothes off." "Even if I had, I've got this big birthmark on my right thigh... that the lady with the lovely physique in the photo lacks." " No witnesses?" " Pure urban legend." "A little bit ofwishful thinking thrown in, I think." "You know, Laine... you could've looked those pricks in the eye and told them the truth." "Under oath." "Told them they were full ofshit." "And barring that, you could've at least told me." "But see, it really wasn't any ofyour business either, and it still isn't." "There's something about almost puking on a Havana... thatjust turns a girl..." "to blush." "This letter from Jack Bennet.... and Larry Bellows, affii davit, I guess, that you got from Webster." "It pretty much says that nothing happened that night." " They're ready to come forward to be deposed." " That's very good ofthem." "So, that's it." "The end." "Good guys win." "I'm gonna call a press conference tomorrow, read that letter... and damn it ifyou don't have the fastest confii rmation on record." "No, sir." ""No, sir"?" "What, "No, sir"?" "I would prefer that we not have the press conference, sir." "Laine, maybe you've been out of law school too long." " This is what they call exculpatory evidence." " Yes, I realize that." " This is your ticket to wherever history is gonna take you." " Yes." "But principles only mean something ifyou stick by them when they're inconvenient." "If I ever did answer the questions... you know, even to exonerate myself... that would mean that it was okay for them to have been asked in the fii rst place... and it isn't." " You would sacrifii ce your reputation?" " Yes, I would." "People have sacrifii ced a lot more for a lot less." "[People Chattering]" " We've got him!" "We have Goliath." " Sir, are you all right, sir?" " It's okay, guys." "Busted." " POTUS is secure." "[Radio Announcer] Ofcourse, thepresidentaddressing ajointsession ofCongress... is always unusual, always an event." "This speech is scheduled to begin momentarily." "We understandthepresident has arrivedat the U.S. Capitol." "[ Laine ] I don't care if I never see any ofthese guys again." "[Radio]Sources in the White House have told us that thepresident..." " It's gonna be okay." " does intendto withdraw the name ofSenatorLaine B. Hanson" "I still have a year and a halfon my term." "That's a long time to recover." " Then there's always" " Given thestunning charges made against GovernorHathaway..." " Laine, honey, it's gonna be fil ne." " those on the inside are suggesting..." " It's gonna be okay." " thepresident will designate..." "AmbassadorFrancisJ." "Malloy as his number two." " Yeah, thanks." "Pace me at fiive to ten, okay?" "[Radio Announcer] ...after thegreeting ofthepresident ofthe UnitedStates." "Mr. Speaker, thepresident ofthe UnitedStates ofAmerica." "Thankyou." "Napoleon once said, when asked to explain the lack ofgreat statesmen in the world... that, "to get power... you need to display absolute pettiness." "To exercise power, you need to show true greatness."" "Such pettiness andsuch greatness are rarely founding oneperson." "Ilook upon the events ofthepast weeks... andI've nevercomeso togrips with that quotation." "So, ladies and gentlemen ofthis Congress... it pains my soul to tell you that you have brought blood and shame under this great dome." "Your leadership has raised the stakes of hate to a level... where we can no longer separate the demagogue from the truly inspired." "And believe this, there are traitors among us." "AndI'm not talking about those ofyou whosidedagainstyourparty leadership." "I'm talking about those ofyou who were patriots toyourparty... but traitors to the necessary end result:" "that ofrighteousness, the truth... the concept of making the American dream blind to gender." "Andyouknow, Iam not free ofblame." "Right from the start I should've come down here... pointed a fil ngeryour way-- pointed a fil nger your way... andaskedyou, "Haveyouno decency, sir?"" "Yesterday..." "I met" "Mr. Runyon... you may walk out on me, you may walk out on this body... but you cannot walk out on the will ofthe American people." "Americans are agoodpeople, they're ajustpeople, Mr. Runyon... and they will forgive you, but they will not forget." "Hate and ego have no place residing... in what my good friend Laine Hanson calls the chapel ofdemocracy." "So, letme make one thing clear." "You come at us with whatever weapons thatyouhave inyour arsenal... but there is no weapon as powerful... as that ofan idea whose time has come." "A woman will serve in the highest level ofthe Executive." "Simple as that." "Yesterday..." "I spoke with Laine Hanson." "I told her that she could decide her own destiny." "Ifshe wanted to continue her fii ght for confii rmation... that I would stand beside her." "She has asked me to allow her to step aside." "She toldme thatshe wanted my administration to endon a note... oftriumph and not controversy." "Understand, those ofyou who worked to bring Laine Hanson down... that she asked to have her name withdrawn from consideration... not because she isn't great, but because she isn't petty." "Because those two conflicting leadership traits... couldnotlive as one within herbody orhersoul." "Greatness." "It comes in many forms." "Sometimes it comes in the form ofsacrifii ce." "That's the loneliest form." "Now, it turns out that Laine Hanson is a woman... an American ofdevout principle... andshe has inspiredme to actalike... and I cannot accept Senator Hanson's withdrawal." "AndI'm nowcalling foran immediate vote ofconfiirmation ofLaine Hanson." "And, Mr. Speaker..." "I would like to make this a live roll call." "I want to see the faces ofthose ofyou... who would eliminate the possibility ofgreatness in American leadership... because of half-truths, lies and innuendoes." "I will not be deterred by partisanship." "I will not be deterred by misogyny." "I will notbe deterred by hate." "You have now come face-to-face with my will." "Confiirm my nominee, heal this nation... and let the American people explode into this new millennium... with the exhilaration of being true to the glory ofthis democracy." "Thankyou." "How's that for a swan song?" "You're back, Laine." "Yeah, I know."