24 (TV Series)

Day 7: 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (2009)

Cherry Jones: President Allison Taylor

Quotes 

• Ethan Kanin : [Over the speakerphone as Taylor stands nearby]  Agent Moss, this is Ethan Kanin, I'm here with the President: what are you and your folks doing about this "situation?"

  Larry Moss : We put out an all agency alert, everyone understands that finding Almeida is a top priority

  Ethan Kanin : [Sternly, referring to Tony]  how did he escape?

  Larry Moss : He had the help of a former CTU agent we mistakenly trusted, a man by the name of Jack Bauer

  Ethan Kanin : Bauer? I thought he was in the middle of a Senate investigative hearing?

  Larry Moss : Yes sir, that is correct. We issued a subpoena a few hours ago, "excusing" him of the hearings to enlist his help in apprehending Almeida

  Ethan Kanin : Now you're saying these two men are aligned?

  Larry Moss : It would appear so

  Ethan Kanin : [Gradually raising his voice]  my God, you and your people have "royally" screwed up Agent Moss: without Almeida, we have no way of finding Dubaku and no chance of recovering the CIP device

  President Allison Taylor : Ethan, let's stay "on point." Agent Moss, are you "working" any other "leads?"

  Larry Moss : Yes madam President, a "confederate" of Almeida's who was wounded earlier today. His just out of surgery, we're waiting for him to regain consciousness

  President Allison Taylor : Do we have a timeframe from the hospital on when that "might happen?"

  Larry Moss : No ma'am, not really

  President Allison Taylor : Let me be clear: recapturing Almeida and Bauer, isn't just your top priority, it's your only priority

  Larry Moss : Yes ma'am

  President Allison Taylor : [Before hanging up]  keep us posted

• Ethan Kanin : Bottom line: the Bureau is not going to be the "answers to our prayers" here

  President Allison Taylor : I'm afraid not: how much time does that leave us?

  Ethan Kanin : [after looking at his watch]  less than two hours, Dubaku's demand is that our forces pulls behind the twenty third meridian within twenty four hours. Now within to meet that timetable, the fleet and carrier air wing must start withdrawing by one o'clock at the latest

  President Allison Taylor : Which would effectively end our mission in Africa and condemn another hundred thousand Sangalians to a certain and brutal death

  Ethan Kanin : On the other "hand", if you authorize the invasion, Dubaku will undoubtedly "engage" the CIP device

  President Allison Taylor : How far has the FAA gotten with grounding aircrafts?

  Ethan Kanin : [Shakes his head]  there's still a thousand aircrafts all over the country waiting for clearance to land: Dubaku could bring down any one of them at any moment. Or use the device for "something" far worse

  President Allison Taylor : I ran for Office on the principle of non-negotiation with terrorists. How can I abandon that right now? The very first time I'm tested? And if I do so, won't I be telling Dubaku and the rest of the world that blackmailing America works?

  Ethan Kanin : Madam President, those are questions for the future. We have a decision to make now

• President Allison Taylor : [after hearing a recording of Dubaku's demands in the Oval Office]  I wanted you to hear it for yourself Prime Minister: so you could understand my dilemma

  Ule Matobo : [Nods]  I see. You are recalling the invasion force?

  President Allison Taylor : That determination has yet to be made

  Ule Matobo : And this device at which Dubaku has control, it poses a "significant" risk to your people?

  President Allison Taylor : Yes, it's a technology that has the "potential" for mass civilian casualties and it puts the infrastructure of my country in great jeopardy

  Ule Matobo : What about Sangala?

  President Allison Taylor : Believe me, no one is more aware of what's at stake than I am

  Ule Matobo : So you've been informed of the situation in Casanga Province?

  Ethan Kanin : [after Taylor looks at Kanin]  Juma's troops are advancing towards a refugee camp: over two thousand lives are threatened

  Ule Matobo : Mostly women and children. There is also the matter of those soldiers who are under the "promise" of American support, deserted the regime and joined my freedom fighters on the ground. This "promise" provides us with the weapons in order to defend ourselves

  President Allison Taylor : [Leans forward]  you've been "patient" with us before Mr. Matobo, we can only ask that you be "patient" again. Now please, if you'll excuse me

  Ule Matobo : [as they stand up and shake hands]  madam President, I implore you, do not to abandon my country

  President Allison Taylor : Mr. Matobo, I will do everything I can

  Ule Matobo : I'm counting on you, thank you

• President Allison Taylor : [Angrily to Kanin after the meeting with Matobo]  you didn't think that I would want to know about the refugees in Casanga?

  Ethan Kanin : Madam President, you have enough to think about without being "burdened" with all the "details"

  President Allison Taylor : Especially "details" that might "push" me towards the invasion

  Ethan Kanin : Ma'am, you have to start focusing on "alternatives" to the invasion

  President Allison Taylor : [Raises her voice]  give me a good "alternative" and I'll consider it

  Ethan Kanin : I'm not saying it's a good "alternative", but it's the "only" one: comply with Dubaku's demands, stand down the task force

  President Allison Taylor : That's your recommendation? Back down?

  Ethan Kanin : It is

  President Allison Taylor : Damn it, you heard Matobo, he has fighters on the ground counting on us. Do you want me to be responsible for another Bay of Pigs?

  Ethan Kanin : Kennedy "survived" the Bay of Pigs and you'll "survive" this: a superpower has to act first and foremost, in its own best interest

  President Allison Taylor : Always?

  Ethan Kanin : [Adamantly]  always, no apologies

  President Allison Taylor : What about "allowing" a third party to dictate its foreign policy? Does a superpower do that?

  Ethan Kanin : Yes, if there's no other option and right now, there's not

  President Allison Taylor : What have we heard from the FBI on the search for Almeida and Bauer?

  Ethan Kanin : Nothing ma'am

  President Allison Taylor : Check with them anyway