24 (TV Series)

Day 2: 4:00 a.m.-5:00 a.m. (2003)

Dennis Haysbert: President David Palmer

Quotes 

• President Palmer : Listen to me. All of you. I know you're not in the same room with me but you can see and hear me plainly enough. Take a good look. Do I seem scared? Am I breaking into a nervous sweat? Am I babbling? At a loss for words? Is my voice shaking? Can any one of you look me in the eye and tell me I'm disabled?

• Vice President Jim Prescott : If military strikes do not occur imminently casualties to American soldiers will increase by tens of thousands of lives. That analysis is undisputed.

  President Palmer : The risk of attacking innocent countries is unacceptable. We have to be sure.

  Vice President Jim Prescott : Everybody is sure, Mr. President. Everybody but you.

  President Palmer : Well, as it happens, I'm the only one who counts.

• President Palmer : Mr. Prescott, there seems to be a collective feeling that a discussion is called for. In the interest in putting this behind us, I'll agree on one condition. When it's over, if I'm supported you tender your resignation as vice president of this country.

  Vice President Jim Prescott : Very well, Mr. President.

  Secretary of State : I, uh, suggest we all take a few minutes to compose ourselves and, uh, then get on with the proceeding.

  President Palmer : Let's not mince words, Mr. Secretary. You mean the trial of David Palmer.

• President Palmer : I just got this Pentagon briefing: stating our bombers aren't going back to their bases. Do you know anything about this?

  Mike Novick : I understand their in a holding pattern, waiting to refuel

  President Palmer : I ordered them back to their bases

  Mike Novick : Yes Sir, I know. That's why I'm here. Could I ask you to come with me for a minute?

  President Palmer : Come with you where?

  Mike Novick : Just down the hall to the main conference room

  President Palmer : What's going on?

  Mike Novick : Please Mr. President. Come with me

  President Palmer : [Surprised]  are you ordering me to go to the conference room?

  Mike Novick : No Sir. Of course not, I'm sorry. It's very important

  President Palmer : I'm the President of the United States, I'm not going anywhere until you tell me what this is about

  Mike Novick : Mr. President, it seems there are a number of people, Cabinet members question if you're fit to continue as Chief Executive of this country

  President Palmer : And these people are in my conference room?

  Mike Novick : In a manner of speaking, they are

  President Palmer : Then let's go see them

• President Palmer : [Through video conference]  now I see why I had such a hard time reaching you today Jim: you were busy

  Vice President Jim Prescott : I apologize if this comes as a surprise Mr. President. This is a "unique" situation in the history of this country, calling for "unique" measures

  President Palmer : Let's skip the sound bites and cut to the chase. What's going on here?

  Vice President Jim Prescott : Mr. President, we are invoking the twenty-fifth Amendment

  President Palmer : Whose "we"?

  Secretary of State : I think there's a "general feeling" that some of the decisions that you have made today

  Secretary of State : Hold on a minute Mr. Vice President, with all due respect Sir, most of us here are scrambling just to understand today's events. I think its way, way too early to be referring to a "general feeling" about anything

  Vice President Jim Prescott : Fair enough. For the record, let me review the relevant portions of the twenty-fifth Amendment, section four states "If a majority of the cabinet together with the Vice-President vote that the President is no longer able to serve as President, the powers of the Presidency are transferred to the Vice-President who now is the Acting President", is everyone clear on that?

  President Palmer : The twenty-fifth Amendment was designed for situations where the President is ill or incapacitated

  Vice President Jim Prescott : [Referring to another guideline in this section]  the language speaks for itself Mr. President, "unable to discharge His duties of the office." The reason for the disability isn't limited to any one cause. The Attorney General agrees with this interpretation

  President Palmer : And just what exactly is my supposed "disability?"

  Vice President Jim Prescott : It seems to me Mr. President, the stress of today's events have overwhelmed you. An atomic device has been detonated on American soil today, we have clear evidence which counties are responsible along with details of a terrorist group they sponsor

  President Palmer : [Intentionally addressing him with his surname]  the evidence implicates these countries is not clear Mr. Prescott. Far from it

  Vice President Jim Prescott : The Cypress audio has been independently by verified by every intelligence group we have

  President Palmer : And I believe those agencies have been mistaken

  Vice President Jim Prescott : Because of this lone CTU agent? Jack Bauer?

  President Palmer : Yes, Mr. Bauer believes the Cypress audio is a forgery. He also believes he will soon have proof

  Vice President Jim Prescott : His been telling you that for hours Mr. President. We still don't have the proof, if military don't occur imminently, casualties to American soldiers increases to tens of thousands of lives. That analysis is undisputed

  President Palmer : The risk of attacking innocent countries is unacceptable. We have to be sure

• Vice President Jim Prescott : [Through video conference]  most of you know Ron Wieland. Ron is one of the most respect national affairs correspondents in the country: he had a very "interesting experience" earlier today

  Ron Wieland : I was sent to cover President Palmer's environmental speech when I began to sense a bigger story. There were rumors of a terrorist attack on the west coast, possibly involving a nuclear device. Naturally, I kept asking questions, the next thing I know I was called in to talk to the President. He asked me to keep the story "under wraps" until later in the day and then he would give me an exclusive

  Vice President Jim Prescott : And what did you say?

  Ron Wieland : I told him I'd think it over but as I was leaving the building, I was suddenly grabbed by a Secret Service agent and hustled into a room and I was kept there under guard for several hours

  Vice President Jim Prescott : Did you feel this was a violation of your first Amendment rights as a journalist and as an American citizen?

  Ron Wieland : Of course

  President Palmer : Were you harmed in any way or threatened?

  Ron Wieland : No Sir

  President Palmer : But you understand the reason you were being detained?

  Ron Wieland : I assume it was fear if word got out that there was a nuclear threat panic might strike, and people would get hurt

  President Palmer : Do you think the lives of thousands of citizens are less important than a couple hours of your first Amendment rights?

  Ron Wieland : No, I don't but under the Bill of Rights, that decision was mine. Not yours Mr. President

  Vice President Jim Prescott : Did you get the feeling that things were a little "out of control" in the Palmer Administration?

  President Palmer : You're putting words in his mouth

  Ron Wieland : I did have a sense that President Palmer was out of control

  President Palmer : I was trying the balance the needs of public safety and Ron Wieland's rights. I offered Ron a deal and he turned me down. Nothing was out of control. I might add I had legal precedent for my action

  Vice President Jim Prescott : Thank you Mr. Wieland. I'd like to ask someone else to testify, he should be ready in a few moments

• President Palmer : [Referring to Prescott trying to remove him from the Presidency]  you knew about this didn't you? How long have you've known?

  Mike Novick : It doesn't matter Mr. President...

  President Palmer : [Interrupts him]  it matters to me. How long?

  Mike Novick : A couple of hours Sir

  President Palmer : You were a part of it weren't you? When it's all said and done, you were on Prescott's side

  Mike Novick : No Sir. I'm on your side. I always will be. This could be a good thing: a chance to correct a mistake of historic proportions. David, I'm begging you. Reconsider your position on this

  President Palmer : I'm the President, you don't call me by my first name

  Mike Novick : Yes Sir

• Vice President Jim Prescott : [Through video conference]  I'm sorry for the delay: the man you're about to see is not entirely well. In fact it's taken him a great deal of courage to join us at all. Roger Stanton, head of the Nation Security Agency. Roger, thank you for speaking with us

  Roger Stanton : Yes of course, sorry if I seem a bit tired, you see I was tortured for several hours at the operations complex by order of the President of the United States

  President Palmer : And why were you tortured Roger?

  Roger Stanton : Because you thought I knew more than I was saying about the location of the nuclear bomb. As if the head of the NSA would withhold anything from the President

  President Palmer : You're lying Roger. This may work for a while, eventually the truth will come out

  Roger Stanton : I have nothing to fear from the truth Mr. President

  Vice President Jim Prescott : Be as brief as possible Mr. Stanton, tell us what happened to you today

  Roger Stanton : I arrived at the OC to find out my assistant director Eric Rayburn have been dismissed by the President

  Vice President Jim Prescott : What was the reason given for Mr. Rayburn's firing?

  Roger Stanton : Eric wanted to bring the military into the equation right away, the President was reluctant to contemplate the use of military action

  President Palmer : That's not true

  Roger Stanton : In the next few hours I worked for the President as best I could. He was indecisive, erratic, and as I said terrified to think of military engagement. And a little after six this evening, I arrested on the charge of treason. I was taken to a small window-less room, the President after accused me of knowing more about the bomb than I was telling him

  Vice President Jim Prescott : Is that true?

  Roger Stanton : Of course not. In fairness to the President, I think he genuinely believed it to be true

  Vice President Jim Prescott : And why would he hold such a belief?

  Roger Stanton : David Palmer is a decent man, maybe his too decent for the times we live in. He wanted to avoid war at any cost. If he could prove to himself and Americans in finding the bomb, then he would have a good reason not to use military force against any foreign country

• President Palmer : [while they watch footage of Roger Stanton being tortured]  enough! This should end this discussion here and now. Yes I had Roger Stanton tortured, it was a horrible thing to do and God knows I hated doing it but just as I suspected he knew about the bomb. You've just seen it for yourselves

  Roger Stanton : I was strapped to a chair and thousands of volts of electricity passed through my body every few seconds. I'm not proud of it but I guess I did what most of you would: I cracked. I told the President what he wanted to hear, that I knew about the bomb

  President Palmer : You told me more than that Roger. You told me about the corral snake team, you told me the bomb was at Norton Airfield. Information we collaborated very quickly

  Roger Stanton : I don't know what you're talking about Mr. President

  President Palmer : Mr. Prescott, play the rest of the tape

  Vice President Jim Prescott : [Confused]  there is no rest of the tape

  President Palmer : What?

  Vice President Jim Prescott : That's all I have

  President Palmer : That can't be. I was in that room for another ten minutes

  Vice President Jim Prescott : Well, this is all that was transferred by the OC Mr. President, we did ask for everything

  President Palmer : There must be some kind of mistake, or deliberate sabotage. Mr. Stanton had a whole lot more to say than what was just said on that tape

  Secretary of State : Mr. President, couldn't Agent Simmons verify what your telling us?

  President Palmer : No, I sent him out of the room, but the fact remains Roger Stanton told me about the corral snake team. He told me about the location of the bomb. Where else could that information could come from?

  Roger Stanton : We have many intelligence agencies Mr. President, thousands of agents combing the planet. It could've come from anywhere, just know it didn't come from me

  President Palmer : That's a lie and you know it. Tell them Mike

  Mike Novick : I only know what the Mr. President told me. I wasn't in the room

  Vice President Jim Prescott : Mr. Stanton, thank you again. Legally you will remain in custody as President Palmer has ordered and until this matter is resolved

  Roger Stanton : I understand

  Vice President Jim Prescott : Mr. President, do you have any evidence you would like to present, please do so now

  President Palmer : The testimony given here so far is inaccurate and incomplete. Roger Stanton is directly responsible for placing a nuclear weapon on US soil. I have evidence that proves it but you've given me no time. While my behavior may have been extreme, I was just responding to the extremities of today's events. Make no mistake, if we unleash our military power on nations later proved innocent, it will rank as one of the most despicable acts in history. Any chance for peace in the Middle East will be banished forever. Even if it costs American lives in the future, we must delay the attack until we're certain of our ground

  Vice President Jim Prescott : Excuse me Mr. President, I just received an urgent message from CTU Division Chief Ryan Chappelle. Apparently Jack Bauer has evidence he claims the Cypress audio was forged. The evidence is being reviewed at CTU right now and Mr. Chappelle says the analysis should be completed in the next few minutes. Considering the potential impact this evidence will have on these proceedings, I think it's come upon us to wait

• President Palmer : [Through video conference]  let's get on with the vote

  Vice President Jim Prescott : Members of the Cabinet: you've been presented with the evidence, you know what's at stake. Those of you who believe the President is able to continue in Office, will vote "yes", those of you who believe he isn't, vote "no." Mr. Novick will conduct the voice poll. The numbers will be reflected up on the screen

• Vice President Jim Prescott : [Through video conference with the Cabinet Members]  the airborne squadrons have been in a holding pattern since President Palmer called off the attack: they just re-fueled. If we want to resume the operation, we need to come to a conclusion now

  President Palmer : A few more minutes. This is the difference between peace and war Mr. Prescott

  Vice President Jim Prescott : It's also a pattern that's reoccurring in the last few hours. Everything will change once Mr. Bauer calls, just never quite happens

  President Palmer : [Standing aside to answer an urgent call]  this is President Palmer

  Ryan Chappelle : Mr. President Palmer, this is Ryan Chappelle

  President Palmer : Hello Ryan

  Ryan Chappelle : I have Jack Bauer on the line, he'll give you an update

  Jack Bauer : Mr. President, I found the chip, unfortunately it's been very badly damaged

  President Palmer : Is it in good enough shape to prove the Cypress recording was forged?

  Jack Bauer : Sir, I'm afraid in its current condition, it doesn't prove much of anything

  President Palmer : Can it be repaired?

  Jack Bauer : No Sir, I'm sorry. We have been following other leads. About an hour ago, I was captured and tortured by men who wanted the chip. They worked for a Peter Kingsley. I believe his part of the group that's behind the bomb. I think they've been manipulating today's events to start this war Sir

  President Palmer : What?

  Jack Bauer : To improve the value of their oil contracts in the Caspian Sea and control the oil coming out of the Middle East

  President Palmer : But I need something concrete. I need evidence

  Jack Bauer : Mr. President, I understand. Right now I'm checking up the address on who we believe engineered the Cypress recording for Kingsley. I'm sorry Sir but it's the best we've got

  President Palmer : Everything you've seen, are you absolutely convinced the Cypress recording was forged?

  Jack Bauer : Yes Sir. Absolutely

  President Palmer : [Before hanging up]  alright Jack, thank you

  President Palmer : [Returning to the video conference with the Cabinet Members]  the evidence I was hoping for is not yet available. I believe it will be in the near future

  Vice President Jim Prescott : When Mr. President?

  President Palmer : I don't know

  Vice President Jim Prescott : Meanwhile the window for a surprise attack is rapidly closing. It's time to vote

  Mike Novick : Mr. Vice President, if you can indulge me for just one minute?

  Mike Novick : [Standing to the side to talk privately]  Mr. President, this Bauer "thing" is an illusion, a mirage. Every time you get near it, it moves further away. For your sake and for the country, authorize the attack. All of this will go away

  President Palmer : And a lot of people, Americans and non-Americans will die for no reason

  Mike Novick : We don't know that Mr. President