Commander in Chief (2005) s01e16 Episode Script
The Elephant in the Room
previously, on commander in chief.
you expect me to go to the senate and vote against my commander in chief? If you recall, we made a deal.
Ma'am, my wife has been ill.
I respectfully request that you accept my immediate resignation.
You will be a tremendous loss to this administration.
From now on, we don't stop.
Attack, attack, attack, attack.
Care to comment on this morning's "usa today" poll? Your numbers show you and the speaker now tied among likely voters.
Mr.
Speaker, you running for something? (kate) mackenzie.
(knock on door) Are you awake in there? Yeah.
Come on in.
Rod said you were sleeping in this morning, which you haven't done since you were a teenager.
Which can only mean you're either sick, tired or blue.
You are clammy.
I'm fine.
Is it because of that keaton fella? Rren, and, yeah, i'm (groans) I'm a little, uh, depressed about him, but then again, i'm sleep deprived.
You should be, working 20 hours a day.
Have you given any thought to who's gonna be your next v.
p.
? I was one for a year and a half.
Trust me, there's no rush.
Mac, are you all right? (door slams) You you aren't you aren't by any chance mom, it's just a bug.
Maybe you should stay home and just take it easy today.
I'm convening the w.
t.
o.
In seattle in five hours.
I'm meeting with the conference of mayors in san francisco in ten.
I'm meeting withhe union reps for the airlines in 12 in los angeles.
Oh, and the twins are touring u.
s.
c.
Oh.
Is that all? (man) the white house continues to be besieged with questions regarding the sudden resignation of vice president warren keaton.
Circumstances surrounding the general's stepping down are sketchy.
(mutes tv) The greatest kindness will not bind the ungrateful.
I love the sound of "aesop's fables" in the morning.
(both laugh) it's apt that, the farmer and the snake.
I have a pretty good idea who the snake is.
The farmer revived the snake by giving him a national stage for the past year.
Somebody said his wife was ill.
Promise me that when you pick your running mate we mustn't get ahead of ourselves, darling.
Ah, that he or she will be loyal.
Hang on a second.
Negotiations once again collapsed in the now week-long airline pilots strike, which threatens to cripple the industry should sister unions take part.
Representatives of the mechanics and food service unions are reportedly sympathetic to the demands of the pilots she should intervene in this.
Get a mandatory arbitration order, then work out a deal with the airlines and the unions.
This is just too much punishment for the nation.
When are you declaring, anyway? I mean, iowa's not that far off.
A decline in ticket sales oh,'s early days yet.
(jim) where are we in terms of replacing warren keaton? The question is, if a vice president falls over in the forest, does he make a noise? (dickie) with 55 electoral votes, he could.
The governor of california isn't interested in the position.
Florida's out.
Still bad blood there from the oil spill.
Arizona? Not in this lifetime.
Governor of new york centrist republican, pro-choice, tall.
A week from being indicted on corruption charges.
What about another inpendent? A deafening silence falls over the room.
Does anybody else feel like this is d?? Vu all over again? All for the least important job in washington.
Which is a heartbeat away from the presidency, as recent history shows.
(vince) your mom's office and cabin are to the left.
And the conference room is here on the right.
Oh, hey, what's down here? Uh, the galley and so forth.
Snack bar? Kind of, but you might want to stay on this end, horace.
Bec, check it out.
Plasma tv.
Nice.
And here's the galley.
And this? What's this? Uh, the press room.
You don't really need oh, please, this way, okay? Oh, hey! Hey, horace.
Hey, guys.
Hey.
So so are you dating anyone? Uh, no, not really.
Okay, thank you.
Hey, hey, we don't bite.
Rebecca, do you have a message for the children of the country? Um, no, but please back off.
They're kids, okay? Thank you.
Come on.
Right here.
Right here.
(all shouting at once) Come on.
After meeting with the director, let's squeeze in ten minutes with the japanese rep regarding the ministerial conference.
I'll see if i can arrange it.
You'll see? How about you just arrange it? (jim) go easy on him, ma'am.
It's the deputy's first air force one trip.
Uh, where arwe with the airline strike? The mechanics union will likely join the picket line.
All but shutting down the major could somebody please put up the air? That's the second time i've asked.
The travel industry's close to a virtual standstill with the holiday weekend coming up you could, of course, force the unions back to work for 60 days.
(mackenzie) no, no.
To have the government force the issue now would derail everything that the, uh, mediation team has been working for for six months.
Gu, we are close.
Mm.
Ma'am, are you all right? I'm sorry.
Did i miss something? Look, l-i know that this has been difficult for everyone involved for the unions, for management, for the american people but if we could get through this, the industry will be strike-free for five years.
Yes, but that deal's gonna require tremendous compromise from all sides.
Uh, ma'am? Uh, ma'am? Ma'am, maybe you should lie down? No, i'm okay.
No, i'm feeling better.
Jim where was i? Jim, uh, jim i want to meet with with the union reps in person.
(groans) Um, get e doctor in here.
And call mr.
Calloway.
What's going on? (kelly) the present's sick.
Ma'am? Mm.
Ohh.
the white house doc's looking at her right now.
I need a list of secure hospitals in the event we have to land.
Push the meetings.
I don't know.
She looks pretty pale.
I don't understand.
I mean, what happened? We're not sure yet.
But she's gonna be okay, right? Ah! Oh.
Mom! What's goin' on? It's acute appendicitis.
Possibly a rupture.
Are you sure? She has all the symptoms and signs.
How long are we talking about being out of commission? That depends on what we find.
Anywhere from one to four hours, plus recovery.
All right, i'm gonna tell the pilot to turn back.
To d.
c.
? No, there's no time.
We need to get her to hospital right now.
Wait, l-have to talk to jim.
Hold on.
Wait, wait no, we're invoke the 25th amendment.
Vince, get him back on the phone.
Yes, ma'am.
Guys.
So, uh, i need to be functional for as long as possible.
What can you give me? Let's get you on antibiotics first, and then we'll worry about pain relief.
I've postponed seattle, san francisco and l.
a.
Where are we? Landing soon, hopefully.
Ma'am, mr.
Gardner's on line one.
Mr.
Gardner, you're on speaker.
Ma'am, are you all right? Uh, uh, noexactly.
(groans) it looks like i need surgery on my appendix.
Where are you having this done? Will the media have access? No, we're looking into tinker a.
f.
b.
That's that's oklahoma.
I thought we were over nebraska.
We are, but a military hospital provides us with more security.
She's septic.
I need her in a hospital right now.
(dickie) kelly, we have to keep the press out of this.
What? (man) sir, we're doing everything we can to secure a location.
There's mcconnell air force base in kansas, whiteman in missouri.
Fi a secure hospital the closest secure hospital and land this plane now.
(dickie) she cannot be seen on a gurney.
She is a woman.
Ople already think she has less stamina.
Jeez, dickie.
(mackenzie) no, no, he's right.
At least as far as panicking the public is concerned.
Less than a year ago, a sitting president died.
We have to make sure the press keeps this in perspective.
J- jim, can you speak to the senate pro tem about, uh, taking over? Of course.
Constitutionally, isn't templeton next in line? He'd have to resign his seat in congress to accept.
I'll notify him just as a formality.
Do that.
The question is, can he keep it in perspective? Well, the only plane that is flying these days is air force one.
Mr.
Speaker, what impact do you see this having on the economy? Crippling, all across the board.
Look at wall street, look at the american people.
They're facing a disastrous memorial day weekend because this president is more interested in addressing the demands of the union th the needs of the people.
Can you speak to the rumors that you yourself (cell phone rings) Intend to make a run for the white house? Jayne murray.
My aspiration, my only aspiration, is that this country have what's best for this country.
That said, if this downward spiral continues, somebody's gonna have to step up.
So you are considering a presidential bid? Sorry, that was the last question.
The speaker has an engagement.
Sorry, guys.
She's the boss.
Thank you.
I hope "engagement" is a euphemism for lunch 'cause i'm starving.
That was jim gardner.
The president's appendix burst.
Good god, burst? Is she okay? Well, she needs surgery.
They need you to sign a waiver in order to swear in the senate pro tem.
When should i tell him we'll be there? Just give me a second, okay? L- i need to speak to gavin kester.
Is it me, or are we descending? What the hell? Kelly, what's going on? We just need to make a quick stop.
Is something wrong with the plane? Details to follow.
Can you at least tell us where we're landing? Not yet.
(telephone ringing) Oh! Oh, you terrible person, you.
I got your queen.
I know.
Hello.
Uh, kate, it's me.
Rod? Yeah, don't be concerned, but, uh, mac needs surgery.
It's her appendix.
We'll get on a plane right away.
Where should we go? Go where? No, no, don't don't do that.
Just stay there and take care of amy.
And with any luck, we're gonna be back the same day we were schedule to be.
Are you sure? Because if not no, i'm sure.
I'm sure.
And tell amy that everything's gonna be just fine, okay? And you'll call as soon as you hear anything? Can i talk to daddy? Not not right now, dear.
Listen, i gotta go.
Listen, send her our love, will you? Oh, of course.
She's invoking the 25th amendment as well as the presidential succession a of 1947.
That means i'd have to resign my seat in the house.
(gavin) that's correct.
That means i'm gonna have to give up my voting privileges.
You'll still be speaker of the house.
He'll maintain his authority over congress? Yes, he'll preside over joint sessions, determine committee appointments, all of which wields significant influence.
The governor of florida would have to hold a special election to fill my voting seat, right? The party carries the district.
We'll still control that vote.
(gavin) and you'd likely need to resign in order to campaign full-time anyway.
Guys, i've been a voting member of congress for over 40 years.
I voted i voted against segregation with the civil rights act, voted for every tax cut, welfare reform, war i've voted for three wars.
But i would be president.
For a day, but i would be president.
(sirens wailing) I thought no one was supposed to know yet.
They weren't.
Aprently word's out.
We're keeping em as far back as we can.
Kelly.
I'm on it.
(reporters shouting indistinctly) Kelly! Kelly, what's wrong with the president? President allen is suffering from appendicitis, which involves a relatively minor surgical procedure followed by a short recovery time.
The president is otherwise in excellent health and a full and immediate recovery is expected.
Kelly, will local doctors be used, or will you ve specialists flown in from d.
c.
? I don't have that information at this time.
With no vice president in place, who will be in charge of the country? The constitution dictates a line of succession which will be followed, but at this point, it's simply ceremonial.
How long, exactly, is the recovery time? We're talking about a common surgical procedure.
The president isn't worried, and the country shouldn't be either.
How's she doing? The president will be just fine.
This is lousy timing on keaton's part.
Probably hasn't had a damn thing to do in months, and when she does need him, he's history.
Anyway, what do i sign? Well, we're waiting to hear back from the speaker.
It's just a formality, but one that has to be observed nonetheless.
Should be any minute.
We'll need to get you sworn in, get you the nuclear football.
Limo and secret service detail? Maybe even a free lunch.
All this fuss over appendicitis.
I had mine yanked years ago.
I was back on the tennis court in a week.
Hi.
Senator.
Good to see you.
Jim.
Uh, i'll be right in.
Yeah.
What's this all about? A letter from the speaker accepting the position of acting president.
What? Don't shoot the messenger.
Why is he doing this? Because he can.
Put up 3.
375 grams of zosyn.
How are you guys doing? You're asking us? Rod, you talked to amy? No, no, i talked to kate.
And how's the country? Stop worrying.
It's fine.
I'll scrub in, but dr.
Wade rucker will be performing the surgery.
Not you? I'm an internist.
Rucker's been vetted by the service.
He's the best general surgeon here in omaha.
Okay.
Excuse me, ma'am.
I just spoke to jim, and templeton's accepted the position of acting president.
President's on line one, and they're here.
Keep them in there.
Madam president.
I'm not sure why you're doing this, nathan, but i'm minding the store for you, ma'am.
Me or the senate pro temps? I mean, he's an idiot.
We both know that.
Well just remember anything you do could be easily undone when i resume office.
(groans) Don't you trouble your head about this.
You concentrate on getting yourself better, okay? Just watch yourself, mr.
Speaker.
It's always nice talkin' to you, rod.
You take care of her, all right? See you soon.
(jim) nathan.
Hi, jim.
Justice talbot.
Mr.
Speaker.
Shall we do this? Uh, give me one second, guys.
Photographers.
Hi.
Come right on in.
Make sure you get the flag in the picture, okay? Okay? Raise your right hand.
Repeat after me.
I, nathan everett templeton, do solemnly swear i nathan everett templeton, do solemnly swear that i will faithfully execute the office of president of the united states that i will faithfully execute the office of president of the united states and will, to the best of my ability and will, to the best of my ability preserve, protect and defend the constitution of the united states.
Preserve, protect and defend the constitution of the united states, so help me god.
This is your secret service detail.
The colonel will familiarize you with the contents of the nuclear football, and i will be in the west wing should you need me.
Thank you, jim.
Thank you, justice.
Hello, mr.
President.
Come, colonel.
Sit down over here.
Oh yeah, let me have another too.
, I feel so hazy.
We gave you a mild pre-op sedative.
We have we have to listen, you just try to relax.
Stop worrying.
It's fine.
Oh.
Hey.
Hmm? See you in a few hours.
(woman) while there is concern that president allen will be out of commission for a number of hours, white house officials have issued a statement assuring the country that the surgery the president is expected to undergo is quite commonplace.
We're being told that acting president nathan templeton has arrived at the white house, where we'll now go live.
(reporters all shouting at once) (man) mr.
Speaker, a question, please.
Look who's in the henhouse.
Are you working out of the oval? Oh, let me be clear.
Uh, i'm here on the president's behalf to fulfill the obligations of some long-scheduled appointments.
(man) mr.
President.
Bobby.
Mr.
President, mr.
President.
What's the first thing you plan on doing once you're in the oval? Me? I'm gonna sit down.
(laughter) You know, the truth be told, every second of every day, there's work to be done in there, and i intend to do it.
Thank you.
Thank you.
(man) mr.
Speaker, one more question, please.
Ordinarily, i wouldn't be interested in your tactics.
But? Keep the press off him.
(man) okay, the abdomen's insufflated.
I'm gonna put the scope in.
Let's see what we're facing.
Blood pressure's fine.
She's sat at 98%.
Good, let me have a 15 blade and have the 10-milimeter trocar ready.
Doctor? Everything okay, dr.
Rucker? Yeah, sorry.
I just, uh, never thought at breakfast i'd be doing this today, you know? Everyone, right now, she's just a nice lady th a sick appendix.
Yeah.
Okay, here we go.
Was this really necessary? For sgt.
Michael denton, it was.
Bronze star designee.
Pulled four other soldiers from the wreckage of a black hawk before losing his leg to a fuel tank explosion.
It was on the books for the vice president.
Nobody notified denton.
He flew himself out here for the ceremony.
And this couldn't have happened on the hill? A hero deserves better than a postponement or a trip to the speaker's office.
He deserved white house treatment, jim oval office treatment for what he's done.
That, and the speaker thought it'd be best to be briefed in person.
I'll gather senior staff, but so you know, we don't anticipate any problems.
It is, after all, only a matter of hours.
Relax, jim.
Calm down.
Barring the unforeseen, my stay here will be completely uneventful.
Okay? Okay.
You cannot imagine what it is like to be president.
It has to actually happen to you.
It's unbelievable.
He's speaking to the press? Yep.
Making a meal out of an hors d'oeuvre.
Gotta put a lock on the fridge.
All right, who's on our team? From the press corps? Uh, liz at the "examiner," orlando at the "times," everyone at a.
p.
All right, tell you what, e- mail me the list divide and conquer.
You take "a" through "m," i'll take "n" through "z.
" Fine.
Shouldn't they be done by now? Yeah, they said it was gonna be somewhere between, uh, three and four hours, and we're just at three right now.
Pistons lead by 7.
(woman) coming up at 5:00 for the second time this year, the white house faces a health scare.
Is there a curse on the presidency? And the airline strike why would they say that? 'Cause they're stupid.
Where's the remote? Rob fielder gets your thoughts on the impending lockout.
You know, it's crazy.
They just keep canceling the flights.
Now i know the president's sick, but what was she doing before this? It's killing the economy.
And don't blame me 'cause i didn't vote for her.
On behalf of a grateful nation, i present this bronze star to you, sgt.
Michael denton, for your bravery and your sacrifice and for the inspiration your heroic actions haveiven to us, the people.
Congratulations.
Thank you, sir.
It's an honor and a privilege.
Oh, for me, too, sergeant.
I want to tell you, mrs.
Denton, that your husband makes me proud to be an american.
Thank you, guys.
I thought we put a lid on the photo-ops with the press.
We did.
He brought in his own people.
Thank you.
Congratulations.
Well, i hope you enjoy the rest of your time in washington.
You kiddin'? It's all gravy from here.
You said the capitol grille, right? You just tell 'em i sent you.
They'll take good care of you.
Thank you, sir.
Thank you.
Thank you, ma'am.
Thank you.
The staff's assembled in the cabinet room as you requested.
Good.
I'm on my way.
How's mackenzie? Any word.
Surgery's just taking longer than originally thought.
But she's okay, yes? Good.
I'm going to have to do a bit of multitasking, jim.
I'm bringing over the house leadership.
You get together with jayne.
She has all the particulars, okay? Thank you.
(woman) b.
p.
Is labile.
Systolic is 92.
(rucker) give me a better view cephalad.
I need to see along the psoas.
Tilt the camera.
Suction here.
It's a pretty bad perf.
(machine beeps) She's hypotensive.
I've given her a bolus, and i'm giving her 1 of epi.
Damn it.
I need to open.
Pull the trocars.
You're switching to an open technique? I don't have a choice.
It's a mess in there.
I need better access.
10 blade.
blood pressure's dropping.
Systolic's in the 80s.
What's her heart rate? 110.
a little tachy.
It's ugly in here all the way to the pelvis.
I'm giving her another bolus and bumping the pressor.
Fine.
I'm struggling here.
Just let me know, okay? I just need to clean it up.
Clean it all out, you know? We should be fine.
Run of ectopy.
Yankauer.
How many beats? Three, four okay, another 2 liters of n.
s.
Irrigation.
The pericolic gutter is contaminated.
Cardiac irritability, dr.
Rucker.
I know.
Lido drip.
2 migs per minute.
Damn it.
(monitor beeping erratically) We need a redraft of the president's saturday radio address to account for the new situation.
We put it to bed a week ago.
Are you suggesting that wamend it? I'm suggesting we need a copy for our staff to rewrite it in the event that the acting president needs to deliver it.
Make it happen, okay? Hey, jim.
Hold up.
We haven't really had a chance to talk.
Well, it's all happened pretty quickly.
Pretty amazing, isn't it? You and me, co-chiefs of staff.
Amazing isn't the word i would use.
Well, i know this puts you in an awkward position, but the fact of the matter is if your boss does anhing that in any way negatively impacts the president or the country, we will hold his feet to the fire.
It'll all be on him.
Understood? In the early going, n.
m.
b.
And the a.
l.
p.
a.
Made modest headway on pension plans, but overtime and salary increases remain problematic.
The country is gridlocked, jim.
How big a strike fund do the airlines have? The majors have enough to last 300 days.
Oh, boy.
Any talk of mandatory arbitration? The president prefers to keep everyone at the table, hammer out a deal for the long term.
Which, in the short term, is catastrophically damaging to the economy.
What else? Stock market jitters, anxiety over the president's illness.
Where are we internationally? Election numbers are in from sierra leone.
S.
l.
p.
p.
Held on.
Sporadic rioting in germany, which grew out of antl-immigration protests.
Mostly contained.
I just spoke with the chancellor.
Did you now? (woman) President templeton.
You're needed in the sit room.
Thank you.
Jayne.
I'll go.
Okay, then.
Where are we on vitals? Pressure's great.
She's just on maintenance fluids.
Stump looks good.
Nice hemostasis.
Everything looks clean.
(sighs) that was a bear, but i think we got away with it.
3.
0 of vicryl.
Let's get out of dodge.
(man) ten-hut! (man) mr.
President.
Sit down, everybody.
What's going on? what's going on? Shortly after 1700 hours our time, a suicide bomber detonated himself at a bus stop 10 miles outside of tel aviv.
Anyone claiming responsibility? The popular front for the liberation of palestine.
And the israelis have threatened to retaliate.
That's our understanding, sir.
We should call the prime minister, urge them to refrain from we should do nothing of the kind.
Israel has a right to defend itself.
End of story.
That it? Thank you.
(kate) "So get on your way.
" The end.
When could i talk to mommy? I don't know, honey.
Uh, soon, though.
In the morning? Maybe.
Oh! She's going to be all right.
I promise you.
Good night, baby.
Grandma, wait.
I need pony.
I left him in mommy's office.
Oh, honey.
I have to go outside and all i have bad dreams without him.
Please.
Oh.
There you are.
Oh, hi, mrs.
Allen.
You startled me.
Oh, i'm i'm sorry.
L- i was looking for pony, if you must know.
No, i don't need to know.
With me, you are always welcome.
Should you be here? Yes, ma'am, i should be.
I don't think you should be in here.
Well, i can appreciate that.
But i'm doing work on your daughter's behalf.
On your best day, you couldn't replace my daughter.
If you so much as move a knickknack on this desk, and i'll you'll? I'll call your wife.
(laughs) Now that's a conversation i would love to hear.
She should've been out by now.
Is there any word from jim says the speaker's behaving himself, mostly.
Sir.
Oh, thanks, vince.
Would anyone mind if i just turn on the (woman) while locals are concerned about her well-being, there is now some criticism.
Why did it take an illness to get the president to omaha? Sorry.
(elevator bell dings) Rod.
Oh, hey.
So how is she? She'fine.
She's fine.
Uh, uh, the damage was more than expected, but they did a great job.
Expect 100% recovery.
So is she awake? No.
She should sleep most of the night.
Yeah.
Um, so these complications, were they it got dicey for a while, but she's tough.
Yeah.
Guess you don't get to be president without being made of steel, right? Yeah.
Thanks.
Okay.
Three more airlines have filed for bankruptcy.
Over 20,000 are on the verge of losing their jobs.
The country's in shambles.
You'll get no arguments from me, but four million americans are stranded.
Hub economies are in the crapper.
The president's out of surgery.
She's resting comfortably, but out until morning.
In other words, we've got bonus hours.
(alice) i don't know, nate.
To haul the members of congress in on a dime oh, come on.
You're the most influential members of the house.
No, that would be your boss.
Something's gotta be done, and she's not gonna do it.
I'm confident that between the four of us, if we call an emergency session if we submit a mandatory arbitration resolution, there is no guarantee we'll get the necessary votes.
We'll get 'em.
Or that the n.
m.
b.
Panel is gonna vote in favor of management and force the unions to swallow a contract.
It's so obvious it's the right thing to do.
N.
m.
b.
Will see that.
And if worst comes to worst, there isn't a member of that mediation board i haven't teed off with.
Guys, this one is for the country.
Come on.
It won't stand.
What's going on, jim? Where's your party allegiance, your loyalty to teddy? The woman's sprinkled pixie dust in your eyes? What? I serve at the pleasure of the president.
Well, you should make a little more effort.
I'm not pleased.
It passed mandatory arbitration.
The national mediation board's signing it now.
Wonderful.
This isn't the end of it, nate.
Jim appears to be losing it.
You must be exhausted.
Why don't you get some sleep? I'll sleep when i'm dead.
Tell me you're not trying to influence the press, mr.
Mcdonald.
I'm just asking you to keep it in perspective.
What the speaker did was a temporary fix, a cheap band-aid.
Well, that band-aid means that i get to visit my sister in tampa now.
Charlie, it's grandstanding.
It's a commercial spot in the super bowl.
Yeah, and it's the best news i've had to report in a very long time.
You gotta hand it to the guy, dickie.
He's got something mackenzie allen doesn't have balls.
(chuckles) (man) the president of the united states.
Good morning.
(reporters) good morning.
Just moments ago, because of a mandatory arbitration resolution passed in the house with the brave help of representatives pasternak and marlow, the national mediation board has ruled that the latest offer of the airline is fair and just, and they have ordered a.
l.
p.
a.
To accept it, which means that, effective immediately, the strike that has frozen the nation's travel industry, has threatened our economy, has stood to ruin this holiday weekend of the american people, has ended.
Mr.
President.
Mr.
President.
Charlie, yeah.
How long is the agreement expected to last? You know, l-i don't think anybody will be interested in hobbling the nation's travel anytime again soon.
(man) mr.
President.
Mr.
President.
Roger.
Mr.
President, what does your first presidential victory feel like? I don't think this is a victory for me.
I think this is a victory for the american people.
(reporters) mr.
President.
Back there unbelievable.
That's scary.
Dad, can he do that? He just did.
Rod.
Rod.
The, uh, president's awake.
Oh, great.
Okay.
Hey.
You had us going for a while there.
This is not the same day, is it? Was i out all night? Pretty much.
Don't you do that ever again.
Mm.
I don't think i can.
I'm pretty sure i only had one appendix.
Smartass.
(chuckles) So anything bad happen? Union representatives are crying foul over the forced mediation.
But they plan to take legal action.
Acting president nathan templeton was said to have been, "highly influential" (mutes tv) U.
k.
Doesn't get him elected.
It's not just international that sees it that way.
"'The speaker has been more effective "'in resolving this thing in 24 hours "'than mackenzie allen has been in two weeks.
' "This according to bill pasternak, ohio congressman.
" On every morning news show he can get himself booked on.
The speaker's made himself a folk hero.
Not a good thing.
Worse.
It completely blows.
Mr.
Gardner, the president's awake.
They're briefing her now.
The president's resuming office.
She's being briefed as we speak.
Attagirl.
I assume my secret service detail will give us a lift home? Of course.
You give her my best.
It was nice while it lasted.
Savor the memory.
Oh, you should, too, jim.
Thank you very much.
You were wonderful.
Thank you.
Bed rest, plain and simple.
Try telling her that.
These workers will almost certainly strike at the end of this 60-day period.
And guess what.
It's their right to do so.
Not separately, together.
In person, in the roosevelt room, first thing monday.
I don't care that it's a holiday.
Thanks, jim.
When's the soonest i can leave? You're starting to sound like a typical patient.
I'm feeling much better, and i happen to travel with my own doc,24/7.
Nice try.
Uh, the earliest it's not my ideal choice, but maybe with a health care crew aboard, first thing in the morning.
Good.
The country needs to know i'm back.
(man) the president of the united states.
Good morning.
(reporters) good morning, mr.
President.
Effective immediately, the strike that has frozen the nation's travel industry, has threatened our economy, has stood to ruin this holiday weekend of the american people, has ended.
(applause) (charlie) mr.
President.
Mr.
President.
Charlie, yeah.
How long is the agreement expected to last? The good news is it's over.
The bad news is we just have to live with the consequences.
(templeton) sarah.
(sarah) sweetheart.
I was beginning to wonder if you were ever coming home.
It was a lifetime, sarah.
A lifetime in 24 hours.
I saw you on television.
In fact, i saw you all over television.
What a national platform.
Well, how s it? As if i didn't know.
You want the unrnished truth? Always.
With the singular exception of our wedding day, it was the best day of my life.
just please tell me she won't be in a wheelchair.
Doctor's orders.
Doctor's don't poll.
condition remains guarded.
And here she is.
Or rather, first gentleman rod calloway.
And, yes, here is the president now, looking fit, walking comfortably.
No doubt glad to be home after an arduous few days.
How'd she do? A picture's worth a thousand words.
Mommy! Oh, baby girl.
Mommy, mommy, mommy.
I missed you.
I missed you, too.
This is for you.
(kate) hey.
Hey.
Didn't i say u were clammy? Oh.
Let's get this one to bed.
Yeah.
I'll rest for a while, but i want to see nathan tonight.
Madam president.
Mr.
Speaker.
Good of you to come.
You look great.
You know, an appendix, are you sure it's okay for you to be up a around? Did you really think you had the right to come in here and make policy changes? Not only the right, but the obligation.
I saw what i thought what i think is the perfect solution to the desperate problem that this nation was facing, and i enacted it.
My mediation team was on the verge of getting a concession from the workers that would've resulted in a contract that both labor and management could've signed.
That's not going to happen now because all of the good will that was cultivated in getting there is gone.
That's not true.
You know it and i know it.
You were no closer to an agreement yesterday than you were a month ago.
This country could not wait any longer.
So i acted on this country's behalf.
You didn't do this for the country.
You didn't do it on anyone's behalf.
You used this office, you used the american people for your campaign, for your cronies, for your massive ego.
That's nonsense.
What i did i did for this country.
I liberated it.
You couldn't make a decision from this office.
Well, i could and i did.
And if ever needed another reason to prevent you from holding this office, i have it now.
And i'm going to do everything in my power and i have the power to see that that never happens.
You can't prevent me from holding this office.
That's for the people to decide.
You have crossed a line with me, and there is no going back.
Now get the hell out of my office.
Yes, ma'am.
you expect me to go to the senate and vote against my commander in chief? If you recall, we made a deal.
Ma'am, my wife has been ill.
I respectfully request that you accept my immediate resignation.
You will be a tremendous loss to this administration.
From now on, we don't stop.
Attack, attack, attack, attack.
Care to comment on this morning's "usa today" poll? Your numbers show you and the speaker now tied among likely voters.
Mr.
Speaker, you running for something? (kate) mackenzie.
(knock on door) Are you awake in there? Yeah.
Come on in.
Rod said you were sleeping in this morning, which you haven't done since you were a teenager.
Which can only mean you're either sick, tired or blue.
You are clammy.
I'm fine.
Is it because of that keaton fella? Rren, and, yeah, i'm (groans) I'm a little, uh, depressed about him, but then again, i'm sleep deprived.
You should be, working 20 hours a day.
Have you given any thought to who's gonna be your next v.
p.
? I was one for a year and a half.
Trust me, there's no rush.
Mac, are you all right? (door slams) You you aren't you aren't by any chance mom, it's just a bug.
Maybe you should stay home and just take it easy today.
I'm convening the w.
t.
o.
In seattle in five hours.
I'm meeting with the conference of mayors in san francisco in ten.
I'm meeting withhe union reps for the airlines in 12 in los angeles.
Oh, and the twins are touring u.
s.
c.
Oh.
Is that all? (man) the white house continues to be besieged with questions regarding the sudden resignation of vice president warren keaton.
Circumstances surrounding the general's stepping down are sketchy.
(mutes tv) The greatest kindness will not bind the ungrateful.
I love the sound of "aesop's fables" in the morning.
(both laugh) it's apt that, the farmer and the snake.
I have a pretty good idea who the snake is.
The farmer revived the snake by giving him a national stage for the past year.
Somebody said his wife was ill.
Promise me that when you pick your running mate we mustn't get ahead of ourselves, darling.
Ah, that he or she will be loyal.
Hang on a second.
Negotiations once again collapsed in the now week-long airline pilots strike, which threatens to cripple the industry should sister unions take part.
Representatives of the mechanics and food service unions are reportedly sympathetic to the demands of the pilots she should intervene in this.
Get a mandatory arbitration order, then work out a deal with the airlines and the unions.
This is just too much punishment for the nation.
When are you declaring, anyway? I mean, iowa's not that far off.
A decline in ticket sales oh,'s early days yet.
(jim) where are we in terms of replacing warren keaton? The question is, if a vice president falls over in the forest, does he make a noise? (dickie) with 55 electoral votes, he could.
The governor of california isn't interested in the position.
Florida's out.
Still bad blood there from the oil spill.
Arizona? Not in this lifetime.
Governor of new york centrist republican, pro-choice, tall.
A week from being indicted on corruption charges.
What about another inpendent? A deafening silence falls over the room.
Does anybody else feel like this is d?? Vu all over again? All for the least important job in washington.
Which is a heartbeat away from the presidency, as recent history shows.
(vince) your mom's office and cabin are to the left.
And the conference room is here on the right.
Oh, hey, what's down here? Uh, the galley and so forth.
Snack bar? Kind of, but you might want to stay on this end, horace.
Bec, check it out.
Plasma tv.
Nice.
And here's the galley.
And this? What's this? Uh, the press room.
You don't really need oh, please, this way, okay? Oh, hey! Hey, horace.
Hey, guys.
Hey.
So so are you dating anyone? Uh, no, not really.
Okay, thank you.
Hey, hey, we don't bite.
Rebecca, do you have a message for the children of the country? Um, no, but please back off.
They're kids, okay? Thank you.
Come on.
Right here.
Right here.
(all shouting at once) Come on.
After meeting with the director, let's squeeze in ten minutes with the japanese rep regarding the ministerial conference.
I'll see if i can arrange it.
You'll see? How about you just arrange it? (jim) go easy on him, ma'am.
It's the deputy's first air force one trip.
Uh, where arwe with the airline strike? The mechanics union will likely join the picket line.
All but shutting down the major could somebody please put up the air? That's the second time i've asked.
The travel industry's close to a virtual standstill with the holiday weekend coming up you could, of course, force the unions back to work for 60 days.
(mackenzie) no, no.
To have the government force the issue now would derail everything that the, uh, mediation team has been working for for six months.
Gu, we are close.
Mm.
Ma'am, are you all right? I'm sorry.
Did i miss something? Look, l-i know that this has been difficult for everyone involved for the unions, for management, for the american people but if we could get through this, the industry will be strike-free for five years.
Yes, but that deal's gonna require tremendous compromise from all sides.
Uh, ma'am? Uh, ma'am? Ma'am, maybe you should lie down? No, i'm okay.
No, i'm feeling better.
Jim where was i? Jim, uh, jim i want to meet with with the union reps in person.
(groans) Um, get e doctor in here.
And call mr.
Calloway.
What's going on? (kelly) the present's sick.
Ma'am? Mm.
Ohh.
the white house doc's looking at her right now.
I need a list of secure hospitals in the event we have to land.
Push the meetings.
I don't know.
She looks pretty pale.
I don't understand.
I mean, what happened? We're not sure yet.
But she's gonna be okay, right? Ah! Oh.
Mom! What's goin' on? It's acute appendicitis.
Possibly a rupture.
Are you sure? She has all the symptoms and signs.
How long are we talking about being out of commission? That depends on what we find.
Anywhere from one to four hours, plus recovery.
All right, i'm gonna tell the pilot to turn back.
To d.
c.
? No, there's no time.
We need to get her to hospital right now.
Wait, l-have to talk to jim.
Hold on.
Wait, wait no, we're invoke the 25th amendment.
Vince, get him back on the phone.
Yes, ma'am.
Guys.
So, uh, i need to be functional for as long as possible.
What can you give me? Let's get you on antibiotics first, and then we'll worry about pain relief.
I've postponed seattle, san francisco and l.
a.
Where are we? Landing soon, hopefully.
Ma'am, mr.
Gardner's on line one.
Mr.
Gardner, you're on speaker.
Ma'am, are you all right? Uh, uh, noexactly.
(groans) it looks like i need surgery on my appendix.
Where are you having this done? Will the media have access? No, we're looking into tinker a.
f.
b.
That's that's oklahoma.
I thought we were over nebraska.
We are, but a military hospital provides us with more security.
She's septic.
I need her in a hospital right now.
(dickie) kelly, we have to keep the press out of this.
What? (man) sir, we're doing everything we can to secure a location.
There's mcconnell air force base in kansas, whiteman in missouri.
Fi a secure hospital the closest secure hospital and land this plane now.
(dickie) she cannot be seen on a gurney.
She is a woman.
Ople already think she has less stamina.
Jeez, dickie.
(mackenzie) no, no, he's right.
At least as far as panicking the public is concerned.
Less than a year ago, a sitting president died.
We have to make sure the press keeps this in perspective.
J- jim, can you speak to the senate pro tem about, uh, taking over? Of course.
Constitutionally, isn't templeton next in line? He'd have to resign his seat in congress to accept.
I'll notify him just as a formality.
Do that.
The question is, can he keep it in perspective? Well, the only plane that is flying these days is air force one.
Mr.
Speaker, what impact do you see this having on the economy? Crippling, all across the board.
Look at wall street, look at the american people.
They're facing a disastrous memorial day weekend because this president is more interested in addressing the demands of the union th the needs of the people.
Can you speak to the rumors that you yourself (cell phone rings) Intend to make a run for the white house? Jayne murray.
My aspiration, my only aspiration, is that this country have what's best for this country.
That said, if this downward spiral continues, somebody's gonna have to step up.
So you are considering a presidential bid? Sorry, that was the last question.
The speaker has an engagement.
Sorry, guys.
She's the boss.
Thank you.
I hope "engagement" is a euphemism for lunch 'cause i'm starving.
That was jim gardner.
The president's appendix burst.
Good god, burst? Is she okay? Well, she needs surgery.
They need you to sign a waiver in order to swear in the senate pro tem.
When should i tell him we'll be there? Just give me a second, okay? L- i need to speak to gavin kester.
Is it me, or are we descending? What the hell? Kelly, what's going on? We just need to make a quick stop.
Is something wrong with the plane? Details to follow.
Can you at least tell us where we're landing? Not yet.
(telephone ringing) Oh! Oh, you terrible person, you.
I got your queen.
I know.
Hello.
Uh, kate, it's me.
Rod? Yeah, don't be concerned, but, uh, mac needs surgery.
It's her appendix.
We'll get on a plane right away.
Where should we go? Go where? No, no, don't don't do that.
Just stay there and take care of amy.
And with any luck, we're gonna be back the same day we were schedule to be.
Are you sure? Because if not no, i'm sure.
I'm sure.
And tell amy that everything's gonna be just fine, okay? And you'll call as soon as you hear anything? Can i talk to daddy? Not not right now, dear.
Listen, i gotta go.
Listen, send her our love, will you? Oh, of course.
She's invoking the 25th amendment as well as the presidential succession a of 1947.
That means i'd have to resign my seat in the house.
(gavin) that's correct.
That means i'm gonna have to give up my voting privileges.
You'll still be speaker of the house.
He'll maintain his authority over congress? Yes, he'll preside over joint sessions, determine committee appointments, all of which wields significant influence.
The governor of florida would have to hold a special election to fill my voting seat, right? The party carries the district.
We'll still control that vote.
(gavin) and you'd likely need to resign in order to campaign full-time anyway.
Guys, i've been a voting member of congress for over 40 years.
I voted i voted against segregation with the civil rights act, voted for every tax cut, welfare reform, war i've voted for three wars.
But i would be president.
For a day, but i would be president.
(sirens wailing) I thought no one was supposed to know yet.
They weren't.
Aprently word's out.
We're keeping em as far back as we can.
Kelly.
I'm on it.
(reporters shouting indistinctly) Kelly! Kelly, what's wrong with the president? President allen is suffering from appendicitis, which involves a relatively minor surgical procedure followed by a short recovery time.
The president is otherwise in excellent health and a full and immediate recovery is expected.
Kelly, will local doctors be used, or will you ve specialists flown in from d.
c.
? I don't have that information at this time.
With no vice president in place, who will be in charge of the country? The constitution dictates a line of succession which will be followed, but at this point, it's simply ceremonial.
How long, exactly, is the recovery time? We're talking about a common surgical procedure.
The president isn't worried, and the country shouldn't be either.
How's she doing? The president will be just fine.
This is lousy timing on keaton's part.
Probably hasn't had a damn thing to do in months, and when she does need him, he's history.
Anyway, what do i sign? Well, we're waiting to hear back from the speaker.
It's just a formality, but one that has to be observed nonetheless.
Should be any minute.
We'll need to get you sworn in, get you the nuclear football.
Limo and secret service detail? Maybe even a free lunch.
All this fuss over appendicitis.
I had mine yanked years ago.
I was back on the tennis court in a week.
Hi.
Senator.
Good to see you.
Jim.
Uh, i'll be right in.
Yeah.
What's this all about? A letter from the speaker accepting the position of acting president.
What? Don't shoot the messenger.
Why is he doing this? Because he can.
Put up 3.
375 grams of zosyn.
How are you guys doing? You're asking us? Rod, you talked to amy? No, no, i talked to kate.
And how's the country? Stop worrying.
It's fine.
I'll scrub in, but dr.
Wade rucker will be performing the surgery.
Not you? I'm an internist.
Rucker's been vetted by the service.
He's the best general surgeon here in omaha.
Okay.
Excuse me, ma'am.
I just spoke to jim, and templeton's accepted the position of acting president.
President's on line one, and they're here.
Keep them in there.
Madam president.
I'm not sure why you're doing this, nathan, but i'm minding the store for you, ma'am.
Me or the senate pro temps? I mean, he's an idiot.
We both know that.
Well just remember anything you do could be easily undone when i resume office.
(groans) Don't you trouble your head about this.
You concentrate on getting yourself better, okay? Just watch yourself, mr.
Speaker.
It's always nice talkin' to you, rod.
You take care of her, all right? See you soon.
(jim) nathan.
Hi, jim.
Justice talbot.
Mr.
Speaker.
Shall we do this? Uh, give me one second, guys.
Photographers.
Hi.
Come right on in.
Make sure you get the flag in the picture, okay? Okay? Raise your right hand.
Repeat after me.
I, nathan everett templeton, do solemnly swear i nathan everett templeton, do solemnly swear that i will faithfully execute the office of president of the united states that i will faithfully execute the office of president of the united states and will, to the best of my ability and will, to the best of my ability preserve, protect and defend the constitution of the united states.
Preserve, protect and defend the constitution of the united states, so help me god.
This is your secret service detail.
The colonel will familiarize you with the contents of the nuclear football, and i will be in the west wing should you need me.
Thank you, jim.
Thank you, justice.
Hello, mr.
President.
Come, colonel.
Sit down over here.
Oh yeah, let me have another too.
, I feel so hazy.
We gave you a mild pre-op sedative.
We have we have to listen, you just try to relax.
Stop worrying.
It's fine.
Oh.
Hey.
Hmm? See you in a few hours.
(woman) while there is concern that president allen will be out of commission for a number of hours, white house officials have issued a statement assuring the country that the surgery the president is expected to undergo is quite commonplace.
We're being told that acting president nathan templeton has arrived at the white house, where we'll now go live.
(reporters all shouting at once) (man) mr.
Speaker, a question, please.
Look who's in the henhouse.
Are you working out of the oval? Oh, let me be clear.
Uh, i'm here on the president's behalf to fulfill the obligations of some long-scheduled appointments.
(man) mr.
President.
Bobby.
Mr.
President, mr.
President.
What's the first thing you plan on doing once you're in the oval? Me? I'm gonna sit down.
(laughter) You know, the truth be told, every second of every day, there's work to be done in there, and i intend to do it.
Thank you.
Thank you.
(man) mr.
Speaker, one more question, please.
Ordinarily, i wouldn't be interested in your tactics.
But? Keep the press off him.
(man) okay, the abdomen's insufflated.
I'm gonna put the scope in.
Let's see what we're facing.
Blood pressure's fine.
She's sat at 98%.
Good, let me have a 15 blade and have the 10-milimeter trocar ready.
Doctor? Everything okay, dr.
Rucker? Yeah, sorry.
I just, uh, never thought at breakfast i'd be doing this today, you know? Everyone, right now, she's just a nice lady th a sick appendix.
Yeah.
Okay, here we go.
Was this really necessary? For sgt.
Michael denton, it was.
Bronze star designee.
Pulled four other soldiers from the wreckage of a black hawk before losing his leg to a fuel tank explosion.
It was on the books for the vice president.
Nobody notified denton.
He flew himself out here for the ceremony.
And this couldn't have happened on the hill? A hero deserves better than a postponement or a trip to the speaker's office.
He deserved white house treatment, jim oval office treatment for what he's done.
That, and the speaker thought it'd be best to be briefed in person.
I'll gather senior staff, but so you know, we don't anticipate any problems.
It is, after all, only a matter of hours.
Relax, jim.
Calm down.
Barring the unforeseen, my stay here will be completely uneventful.
Okay? Okay.
You cannot imagine what it is like to be president.
It has to actually happen to you.
It's unbelievable.
He's speaking to the press? Yep.
Making a meal out of an hors d'oeuvre.
Gotta put a lock on the fridge.
All right, who's on our team? From the press corps? Uh, liz at the "examiner," orlando at the "times," everyone at a.
p.
All right, tell you what, e- mail me the list divide and conquer.
You take "a" through "m," i'll take "n" through "z.
" Fine.
Shouldn't they be done by now? Yeah, they said it was gonna be somewhere between, uh, three and four hours, and we're just at three right now.
Pistons lead by 7.
(woman) coming up at 5:00 for the second time this year, the white house faces a health scare.
Is there a curse on the presidency? And the airline strike why would they say that? 'Cause they're stupid.
Where's the remote? Rob fielder gets your thoughts on the impending lockout.
You know, it's crazy.
They just keep canceling the flights.
Now i know the president's sick, but what was she doing before this? It's killing the economy.
And don't blame me 'cause i didn't vote for her.
On behalf of a grateful nation, i present this bronze star to you, sgt.
Michael denton, for your bravery and your sacrifice and for the inspiration your heroic actions haveiven to us, the people.
Congratulations.
Thank you, sir.
It's an honor and a privilege.
Oh, for me, too, sergeant.
I want to tell you, mrs.
Denton, that your husband makes me proud to be an american.
Thank you, guys.
I thought we put a lid on the photo-ops with the press.
We did.
He brought in his own people.
Thank you.
Congratulations.
Well, i hope you enjoy the rest of your time in washington.
You kiddin'? It's all gravy from here.
You said the capitol grille, right? You just tell 'em i sent you.
They'll take good care of you.
Thank you, sir.
Thank you.
Thank you, ma'am.
Thank you.
The staff's assembled in the cabinet room as you requested.
Good.
I'm on my way.
How's mackenzie? Any word.
Surgery's just taking longer than originally thought.
But she's okay, yes? Good.
I'm going to have to do a bit of multitasking, jim.
I'm bringing over the house leadership.
You get together with jayne.
She has all the particulars, okay? Thank you.
(woman) b.
p.
Is labile.
Systolic is 92.
(rucker) give me a better view cephalad.
I need to see along the psoas.
Tilt the camera.
Suction here.
It's a pretty bad perf.
(machine beeps) She's hypotensive.
I've given her a bolus, and i'm giving her 1 of epi.
Damn it.
I need to open.
Pull the trocars.
You're switching to an open technique? I don't have a choice.
It's a mess in there.
I need better access.
10 blade.
blood pressure's dropping.
Systolic's in the 80s.
What's her heart rate? 110.
a little tachy.
It's ugly in here all the way to the pelvis.
I'm giving her another bolus and bumping the pressor.
Fine.
I'm struggling here.
Just let me know, okay? I just need to clean it up.
Clean it all out, you know? We should be fine.
Run of ectopy.
Yankauer.
How many beats? Three, four okay, another 2 liters of n.
s.
Irrigation.
The pericolic gutter is contaminated.
Cardiac irritability, dr.
Rucker.
I know.
Lido drip.
2 migs per minute.
Damn it.
(monitor beeping erratically) We need a redraft of the president's saturday radio address to account for the new situation.
We put it to bed a week ago.
Are you suggesting that wamend it? I'm suggesting we need a copy for our staff to rewrite it in the event that the acting president needs to deliver it.
Make it happen, okay? Hey, jim.
Hold up.
We haven't really had a chance to talk.
Well, it's all happened pretty quickly.
Pretty amazing, isn't it? You and me, co-chiefs of staff.
Amazing isn't the word i would use.
Well, i know this puts you in an awkward position, but the fact of the matter is if your boss does anhing that in any way negatively impacts the president or the country, we will hold his feet to the fire.
It'll all be on him.
Understood? In the early going, n.
m.
b.
And the a.
l.
p.
a.
Made modest headway on pension plans, but overtime and salary increases remain problematic.
The country is gridlocked, jim.
How big a strike fund do the airlines have? The majors have enough to last 300 days.
Oh, boy.
Any talk of mandatory arbitration? The president prefers to keep everyone at the table, hammer out a deal for the long term.
Which, in the short term, is catastrophically damaging to the economy.
What else? Stock market jitters, anxiety over the president's illness.
Where are we internationally? Election numbers are in from sierra leone.
S.
l.
p.
p.
Held on.
Sporadic rioting in germany, which grew out of antl-immigration protests.
Mostly contained.
I just spoke with the chancellor.
Did you now? (woman) President templeton.
You're needed in the sit room.
Thank you.
Jayne.
I'll go.
Okay, then.
Where are we on vitals? Pressure's great.
She's just on maintenance fluids.
Stump looks good.
Nice hemostasis.
Everything looks clean.
(sighs) that was a bear, but i think we got away with it.
3.
0 of vicryl.
Let's get out of dodge.
(man) ten-hut! (man) mr.
President.
Sit down, everybody.
What's going on? what's going on? Shortly after 1700 hours our time, a suicide bomber detonated himself at a bus stop 10 miles outside of tel aviv.
Anyone claiming responsibility? The popular front for the liberation of palestine.
And the israelis have threatened to retaliate.
That's our understanding, sir.
We should call the prime minister, urge them to refrain from we should do nothing of the kind.
Israel has a right to defend itself.
End of story.
That it? Thank you.
(kate) "So get on your way.
" The end.
When could i talk to mommy? I don't know, honey.
Uh, soon, though.
In the morning? Maybe.
Oh! She's going to be all right.
I promise you.
Good night, baby.
Grandma, wait.
I need pony.
I left him in mommy's office.
Oh, honey.
I have to go outside and all i have bad dreams without him.
Please.
Oh.
There you are.
Oh, hi, mrs.
Allen.
You startled me.
Oh, i'm i'm sorry.
L- i was looking for pony, if you must know.
No, i don't need to know.
With me, you are always welcome.
Should you be here? Yes, ma'am, i should be.
I don't think you should be in here.
Well, i can appreciate that.
But i'm doing work on your daughter's behalf.
On your best day, you couldn't replace my daughter.
If you so much as move a knickknack on this desk, and i'll you'll? I'll call your wife.
(laughs) Now that's a conversation i would love to hear.
She should've been out by now.
Is there any word from jim says the speaker's behaving himself, mostly.
Sir.
Oh, thanks, vince.
Would anyone mind if i just turn on the (woman) while locals are concerned about her well-being, there is now some criticism.
Why did it take an illness to get the president to omaha? Sorry.
(elevator bell dings) Rod.
Oh, hey.
So how is she? She'fine.
She's fine.
Uh, uh, the damage was more than expected, but they did a great job.
Expect 100% recovery.
So is she awake? No.
She should sleep most of the night.
Yeah.
Um, so these complications, were they it got dicey for a while, but she's tough.
Yeah.
Guess you don't get to be president without being made of steel, right? Yeah.
Thanks.
Okay.
Three more airlines have filed for bankruptcy.
Over 20,000 are on the verge of losing their jobs.
The country's in shambles.
You'll get no arguments from me, but four million americans are stranded.
Hub economies are in the crapper.
The president's out of surgery.
She's resting comfortably, but out until morning.
In other words, we've got bonus hours.
(alice) i don't know, nate.
To haul the members of congress in on a dime oh, come on.
You're the most influential members of the house.
No, that would be your boss.
Something's gotta be done, and she's not gonna do it.
I'm confident that between the four of us, if we call an emergency session if we submit a mandatory arbitration resolution, there is no guarantee we'll get the necessary votes.
We'll get 'em.
Or that the n.
m.
b.
Panel is gonna vote in favor of management and force the unions to swallow a contract.
It's so obvious it's the right thing to do.
N.
m.
b.
Will see that.
And if worst comes to worst, there isn't a member of that mediation board i haven't teed off with.
Guys, this one is for the country.
Come on.
It won't stand.
What's going on, jim? Where's your party allegiance, your loyalty to teddy? The woman's sprinkled pixie dust in your eyes? What? I serve at the pleasure of the president.
Well, you should make a little more effort.
I'm not pleased.
It passed mandatory arbitration.
The national mediation board's signing it now.
Wonderful.
This isn't the end of it, nate.
Jim appears to be losing it.
You must be exhausted.
Why don't you get some sleep? I'll sleep when i'm dead.
Tell me you're not trying to influence the press, mr.
Mcdonald.
I'm just asking you to keep it in perspective.
What the speaker did was a temporary fix, a cheap band-aid.
Well, that band-aid means that i get to visit my sister in tampa now.
Charlie, it's grandstanding.
It's a commercial spot in the super bowl.
Yeah, and it's the best news i've had to report in a very long time.
You gotta hand it to the guy, dickie.
He's got something mackenzie allen doesn't have balls.
(chuckles) (man) the president of the united states.
Good morning.
(reporters) good morning.
Just moments ago, because of a mandatory arbitration resolution passed in the house with the brave help of representatives pasternak and marlow, the national mediation board has ruled that the latest offer of the airline is fair and just, and they have ordered a.
l.
p.
a.
To accept it, which means that, effective immediately, the strike that has frozen the nation's travel industry, has threatened our economy, has stood to ruin this holiday weekend of the american people, has ended.
Mr.
President.
Mr.
President.
Charlie, yeah.
How long is the agreement expected to last? You know, l-i don't think anybody will be interested in hobbling the nation's travel anytime again soon.
(man) mr.
President.
Mr.
President.
Roger.
Mr.
President, what does your first presidential victory feel like? I don't think this is a victory for me.
I think this is a victory for the american people.
(reporters) mr.
President.
Back there unbelievable.
That's scary.
Dad, can he do that? He just did.
Rod.
Rod.
The, uh, president's awake.
Oh, great.
Okay.
Hey.
You had us going for a while there.
This is not the same day, is it? Was i out all night? Pretty much.
Don't you do that ever again.
Mm.
I don't think i can.
I'm pretty sure i only had one appendix.
Smartass.
(chuckles) So anything bad happen? Union representatives are crying foul over the forced mediation.
But they plan to take legal action.
Acting president nathan templeton was said to have been, "highly influential" (mutes tv) U.
k.
Doesn't get him elected.
It's not just international that sees it that way.
"'The speaker has been more effective "'in resolving this thing in 24 hours "'than mackenzie allen has been in two weeks.
' "This according to bill pasternak, ohio congressman.
" On every morning news show he can get himself booked on.
The speaker's made himself a folk hero.
Not a good thing.
Worse.
It completely blows.
Mr.
Gardner, the president's awake.
They're briefing her now.
The president's resuming office.
She's being briefed as we speak.
Attagirl.
I assume my secret service detail will give us a lift home? Of course.
You give her my best.
It was nice while it lasted.
Savor the memory.
Oh, you should, too, jim.
Thank you very much.
You were wonderful.
Thank you.
Bed rest, plain and simple.
Try telling her that.
These workers will almost certainly strike at the end of this 60-day period.
And guess what.
It's their right to do so.
Not separately, together.
In person, in the roosevelt room, first thing monday.
I don't care that it's a holiday.
Thanks, jim.
When's the soonest i can leave? You're starting to sound like a typical patient.
I'm feeling much better, and i happen to travel with my own doc,24/7.
Nice try.
Uh, the earliest it's not my ideal choice, but maybe with a health care crew aboard, first thing in the morning.
Good.
The country needs to know i'm back.
(man) the president of the united states.
Good morning.
(reporters) good morning, mr.
President.
Effective immediately, the strike that has frozen the nation's travel industry, has threatened our economy, has stood to ruin this holiday weekend of the american people, has ended.
(applause) (charlie) mr.
President.
Mr.
President.
Charlie, yeah.
How long is the agreement expected to last? The good news is it's over.
The bad news is we just have to live with the consequences.
(templeton) sarah.
(sarah) sweetheart.
I was beginning to wonder if you were ever coming home.
It was a lifetime, sarah.
A lifetime in 24 hours.
I saw you on television.
In fact, i saw you all over television.
What a national platform.
Well, how s it? As if i didn't know.
You want the unrnished truth? Always.
With the singular exception of our wedding day, it was the best day of my life.
just please tell me she won't be in a wheelchair.
Doctor's orders.
Doctor's don't poll.
condition remains guarded.
And here she is.
Or rather, first gentleman rod calloway.
And, yes, here is the president now, looking fit, walking comfortably.
No doubt glad to be home after an arduous few days.
How'd she do? A picture's worth a thousand words.
Mommy! Oh, baby girl.
Mommy, mommy, mommy.
I missed you.
I missed you, too.
This is for you.
(kate) hey.
Hey.
Didn't i say u were clammy? Oh.
Let's get this one to bed.
Yeah.
I'll rest for a while, but i want to see nathan tonight.
Madam president.
Mr.
Speaker.
Good of you to come.
You look great.
You know, an appendix, are you sure it's okay for you to be up a around? Did you really think you had the right to come in here and make policy changes? Not only the right, but the obligation.
I saw what i thought what i think is the perfect solution to the desperate problem that this nation was facing, and i enacted it.
My mediation team was on the verge of getting a concession from the workers that would've resulted in a contract that both labor and management could've signed.
That's not going to happen now because all of the good will that was cultivated in getting there is gone.
That's not true.
You know it and i know it.
You were no closer to an agreement yesterday than you were a month ago.
This country could not wait any longer.
So i acted on this country's behalf.
You didn't do this for the country.
You didn't do it on anyone's behalf.
You used this office, you used the american people for your campaign, for your cronies, for your massive ego.
That's nonsense.
What i did i did for this country.
I liberated it.
You couldn't make a decision from this office.
Well, i could and i did.
And if ever needed another reason to prevent you from holding this office, i have it now.
And i'm going to do everything in my power and i have the power to see that that never happens.
You can't prevent me from holding this office.
That's for the people to decide.
You have crossed a line with me, and there is no going back.
Now get the hell out of my office.
Yes, ma'am.