24 (TV Series)
Day 2: 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. (2002)
Dennis Haysbert: President David Palmer
Photos
Quotes
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Lynne Kresge : Quantico wants permission to relay the nuclear threat to the midlevel tacticians
President David Palmer : How many people are we talking about?
Lynne Kresge : Between six and seven hundred
President David Palmer : Only if they can assure they are fully able to contain the information
Lynne Kresge : I will confirm that before I give approval Sir
President David Palmer : I want everyone to know besides the nuclear bomb going off in Los Angeles, I'm just as concerned with the dangers of panic and mass hysteria
Lynne Kresge : Absolutely
President David Palmer : So, where are we on with everything else?
Lynne Kresge : Well, NSA is taking a two prolonged approach: they are trying to pick up a trail on any known Second Wave terrorist and they are also trying to source stolen weapons grade nuclear materials
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Lynne Kresge : Sir, the press is starting to ask questions: they know you cut your fishing trip short and they'd like to know why
Lynne Kresge : [after the President sighs] if you'd like I can get Jenny to take care of it
President David Palmer : No, I better take care of it myself
Lynne Kresge : Yes Sir
Eric Rayburn : Sir, we've got a lot to cover
President David Palmer : I have to deal with the press
Eric Rayburn : Sir, we have a serious situation here. Taking a time out to coddle the media
President David Palmer : What you don't get Eric is once the rumor mill starts, then we've got two problems: the last thing we need mass hysteria
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President David Palmer : Ok what did Wieland want?
Lynne Kresge : His sniffing around. I think his putting it together
President David Palmer : How could he be putting it together? I just found out myself less than an hour ago
Lynne Kresge : I'm sure he doesn't know the details but you know Wieland, he knows everyone and they all owe him
President David Palmer : [sighs] ok keep your eye on him for now. We start going out our way to put off the press it'll backfire. They'll know something's up
Lynne Kresge : I agree
President David Palmer : I have to get back to the OC
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President David Palmer : Are we narrowing things down the wrong way? I mean are we making any head way?
Eric Rayburn : It's too soon to tell
President David Palmer : Too soon? Aren't we operating under the assumption this bomb could go off at any moment?
Eric Rayburn : What can I say Mr. President I've never been sanguine about our chances of stopping it, not with just a few hours warning
President David Palmer : What does that suppose to mean?
Eric Rayburn : I'm not going to give up Sir. Every protocol is being followed, every resource is being tapped but if I were you I'd give serious thought about what your plan of action will be if in fact we have a detonation. So I still feel a discussion with the Pentagon this morning is in order
President David Palmer : Alright, thanks
Eric Rayburn : Yes Sir
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Lynne Kresge : I just spoke with Jenny. I'm afraid we have a problem
President David Palmer : What now?
Lynne Kresge : Ron Wieland: his convinced the network to give him ten minutes live report today at noon
President David Palmer : For what?
Lynne Kresge : He saw that the alert level has changed and that you are managing the situation from here
President David Palmer : Damn it. Now his going live based on what?
Lynne Kresge : Jenny doesn't know Sir and I'm assuming that he will avoid the facts and present the rumor
President David Palmer : I'm sorry. I'm not mad at you
Lynne Kresge : There's no need to apologize, how would you like to proceed?
President David Palmer : Set up a private interview in ten minutes with Mr. Wieland. The condition is no one is to know
Lynne Kresge : Yes Sir
President David Palmer : And get Armus over here
Lynne Kresge : Yes Sir
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President David Palmer : I understand your about to go live with a story today. Just what is it do you think is going on?
Ron Wieland : I think the alert level has been elevated and you don't want us to know that Sir
President David Palmer : You think?
Ron Wieland : You want me to tell you my sources? You know I can't do that
President David Palmer : You're barking up the wrong tree
Ron Wieland : Well you know I don't recall the last time a journalist was able to get an interview with the President on a few minutes' notice. So my twenty-two years in the business tells me I'm barking up the right tree
President David Palmer : I'll tell you what: there's going to be a briefing tomorrow, you want a thirty minute jump? I can arrange it
Ron Wieland : [Asking why his bargaining with him] why are you "horse trading" with me Mr. President?
President David Palmer : Because if you go live with unsubstantiated threats, you will cause mass hysteria and that could be worse than the threat itself
Ron Wieland : [Surprised] so there is a threat?
President David Palmer : We get them everyday
Ron Wieland : So you're asking me to sit on this? Even though it's in my professional right for me to put what I've got on the air?
President David Palmer : [Leans forward] you know me. I've been more forthcoming with the press and the public than any other politician you know. So when I ask you for a favor, I do it in the spirit of what's best for the American people
Ron Wieland : Let me think about it
President David Palmer : Fair enough