24 (TV Series)
Day 3: 4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. (2003)
Dennis Haysbert: President David Palmer
Photos
Quotes
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Wayne Palmer : I just spoke with Anne's ex-husband. I'm meeting him in half an hour: unless you're changing your mind?
President David Palmer : I've never given in to blackmail in my life
Wayne Palmer : Yes, considering everything you up against, we decided...
President David Palmer : [Interrupts him] "I" decided, it's my choice
Wayne Palmer : And you're making the right one. Give this guy some money, he crawls back under his rock and life will be a lot simpler for everyone. Including Anne's
President David Palmer : I hope so
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President David Palmer : [Over the phone] hello Jack, I was told that Hector Salazar has given your office final instructions on delivering his brother?
Jack Bauer : Yes Sir
President David Palmer : I've also been told that you might be able to pre-empt that demand?
Jack Bauer : We identified the person that was carrying the virus. It was a young man named Kyle Singer
President David Palmer : And you know where he is?
Jack Bauer : No Sir. Unfortunately we lost him
President David Palmer : Can you find him?
Jack Bauer : Not in the time Hector Salazar's given us to release his brother
President David Palmer : So either I hand over Ramon Salazar or risk his brother will release the virus?
Jack Bauer : Mr. President, I understand this is an impossible choice
President David Palmer : It's not a choice, not really. This nation's policy of non-negotiation with terrorists has been a proven deterrent, capitulating to Salazar would effectively destroy that policy
Jack Bauer : Mr. President, hundreds of thousands of Americans may die within a week
President David Palmer : More would die in the long run if I release Salazar. I would be declaring "open season" on the American people
Jack Bauer : This is your final answer Sir?
President David Palmer : I don't negotiate with terrorists. I won't negotiate with terrorists
Jack Bauer : [Before hanging up] I understand Mr. President, thank you
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Michelle Dessler : [Through video conference] Sir, we have a monitoring plan for everyone inside the quarantine zone
President David Palmer : Define the quarantine zone?
Michelle Dessler : Everyone within a two mile radius of ground zero. Ground zero being the shopping center where Kyle Singer was last seen
Dr. Nicole Duncan : [Over the speakerphone] Mr. President, this is Dr. Nicole Duncan with Health Services: medical teams are in place and are ready to start screening and releasing people from quarantine after a seventy-two hour period. If we move quickly, we believe we can lower the estimate
President David Palmer : Lower it to what?
Dr. Nicole Duncan : Between sixty and ninety thousand
President David Palmer : [Before signing off] alright thank you Ms. Dessler, Dr. Duncan
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President David Palmer : [Over the phone] what is it?
Jack Bauer : Mr. President, is this line secure?
President David Palmer : Yes, what'd you need to tell me?
Jack Bauer : For what it's worth Sir, I agree with you supporting this country's policy to not negotiate with terrorists
President David Palmer : You didn't call me to express your approval for my decision
Jack Bauer : I have another option for you to consider
President David Palmer : Another option?
Jack Bauer : Yes, one I believe will protect the integrity of this nation's policy and stop this outbreak from beginning
President David Palmer : And how would I do this?
Jack Bauer : Simply doing nothing Sir
President David Palmer : Nothing?
Jack Bauer : Yes Mr. President
President David Palmer : Hector Salazar will view that as noncompliance with his demands
Jack Bauer : No, not if he gets his brother back
President David Palmer : How?
Jack Bauer : Ramon Salazar will be broken out of prison and delivered to him: the public and more importantly other terrorist groups will view this as a prison break as opposed to a capitulation of their demands
President David Palmer : Sounds like quite a plan, who will break Salazar out?
Jack Bauer : I will Sir
President David Palmer : By yourself?
Jack Bauer : I know the prison Sir. I have full access to the prisoner. Because of the nature of my involvement with Salazar's, I can break him out and deliver him. I have a history of insubordination with CTU and they would believe I switched sides. The cover story would stay "clean"
President David Palmer : This doesn't sound like a one man job
Jack Bauer : Mr. President, it has to be
President David Palmer : I don't know. There has to be some other way
Jack Bauer : No, not in the time we have left. The Salazar's are going to release the virus in the next two hours regardless how successful you are in containing the initial outbreak, the resulting civil unrest would far out reach any quarantine zones established. The damage to this country Sir would be catastrophic. Mr. President, I need your OK on this
President David Palmer : Even if you succeed, I won't be able to protect your legal status, you'll be a fugitive
Jack Bauer : I understand Mr. President, this would be my last assignment
President David Palmer : I don't know what to say
Jack Bauer : If you don't say anything Mr. President, I will accept that as a go for this mission
Jack Bauer : [after the President remains silent] good luck Mr. President
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Dr. Anne Packard : We never really finished our conversation. I was just wondering what you had decided
President David Palmer : Decided about what?
Dr. Anne Packard : The debate: what to do about my ex-husband. I ran into Wayne a few minutes ago. I know his never liked me but this is different. He was avoiding me and I had a feeling I wasn't able to shake
President David Palmer : What kind of feeling?
Dr. Anne Packard : That you're paying Ted to keep quiet, is that what you're doing?
President David Palmer : Sometimes you have to do the wrong thing for the right reason
Dr. Anne Packard : How could you reward someone that's threatening you with a lie? It's wrong
President David Palmer : There are political realities I have to consider if I want to stay in office
Dr. Anne Packard : Tell yourself that if it makes you feel better
President David Palmer : It doesn't make me feel better, it just happens to be the truth. Anne, I have been in this job for nearly four years and I have learned the hard way that there are no absolutes, sometimes you have to make compromises
Dr. Anne Packard : Politically, yes but when it comes to morality, you have to draw the line
President David Palmer : I have drawn the line, I'm just standing on different sides
Dr. Anne Packard : You're running scared
President David Palmer : I'm fighting to stay in office to serve the people that put me here
Dr. Anne Packard : Then face Keeler's lie with the truth and trust the people will be able to tell the difference
President David Palmer : It's not that easy
Dr. Anne Packard : You've never been about what's easy. You've always been about what's right, it's who you are. That's who the people elected to lead them. For what it's worth, it's who I fell in love with
President David Palmer : I was trying to protect you
Dr. Anne Packard : Protect me?
President David Palmer : This won't end with Keeler's allegations. You're going to be in the media's crosshairs
Dr. Anne Packard : I'm used to public scrutiny
President David Palmer : Not like this. This will be different and much uglier you can imagine
Dr. Anne Packard : [Before walking away] I can defend myself