24 (TV Series)

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

John Rubinstein: Secretary of State Alex

Quotes 

• 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 : [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

• 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