The West Wing s07e04 Episode Script
Mr. Frost
THE WEST WING Original air date: 10/16/2005 Good morning.
This is an inquiry by the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.
This is the 14th closed hearing by this committee as we conduct our joint inquiry into the disclosure of classified, national security information to the press.
Will the witness please stand and raise your right hand to take the oath? Do you solemnly swear that the testimony that you give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? I do.
Senator Dresden, you may proceed.
Ms.
Hooper, good morning.
Thank you for joining us.
You are White House Chief of Staff Claudia Jean Cregg's Executive assistant; is that correct? Yes, sir.
And you are responsible for connecting all calls from both outside and inside the White House to the Chief of Staff through your office line? Yes, sir.
I assume you are familiar with the White House archiving system known as ARMS? I am.
This committee has subpoenaed copies of the electronic material that passed through the office of Chief of Staff between December 30 and July 14 of this year.
In total, the search included 19 segments of the ARMS database.
Separate subpoenas were served to include the use of e-mails from both interoffice hard drives to the individual servers of Blackberry and various other devices of an electronic nature.
Did you need a glass of water? I'm fine.
Can we get her a glass of water, please? Yes, sir.
You're aware of an article in The New York Times on July 14 of this year, claiming the existence of a top secret military space shuttle? Yes, sir, I am.
And you're aware the reporter responsible for the article's contents is Greg Brock, who has been jailed for refusing to reveal his source of the information? Yes.
Am I correct in noting that Mr.
Brock appears on Ms.
Cregg's interoffice phone log between 2 and 14 times a week in the six months before June 30? Does that sound accurate? Yes, sir.
On June 27, you received a call on your main office line from Mr.
Brock's cell phone at 7:27 am.
Is that correct? Yes, sir.
What can you tell us about the nature of that call? I wasn't in the room with Ms.
Cregg at the time of call so I can't say what she and Mr.
Brock spoke about.
You can't say? I mean, I don't know.
Well, Mr.
Brock called again at 1:29, and then again at 2:20 that same afternoon.
On the first call, you then patched it through to Ms.
Cregg on her Blackberry.
Is that correct? That's correct.
Am I correct in noting that the calls that come through your phone can be monitored by the person manning your phone after they've been connected to their designated line? I would remind you that you're under oath.
Yes, sir.
So you were capable of monitoring Ms.
Cregg's phone calls, private and otherwise? Yes, sir.
So let me start by asking you, did you ever monitor any phone conversations between Ms.
Cregg and Mr.
Brock? How long can we generate a third of this world's economic output if a third of our students don't even meet the most basic reading levels.
How long can we stay number one in high-tech jobs if we are declining in the percentage of bachelor's degrees.
So, what are you saying? They couldn't get Creationism into classrooms because it violates the separation of church and state.
They're going to run into the same roadblock with Intelligent Design.
The local Board of Education just held hearings on why Intelligent Design should be taught in classrooms alongside evolution, so local reporters are going to want to talk about it.
So, the state Board of Education has a problem with the Constitution? The majority of the Board was taken over by Evangelical Christians in the last election.
Vinick's on his way to Atlanta.
He's still hammering us on border issues.
It looks like the togetherness tour is working.
Hmm.
The Washington Post calls the Santos/McGarry road-show an effective blend of energy and experience.
The L.
A.
Times said Leo actually looked lifelike.
The Post Dispatch calls our "Education Week" "Boring Week.
" When we are talking about education, we're talking about our most precious resource: our children.
Ladies and gentlemen, we must find better ways Good morning.
You owe me money.
I'm working.
- I'm just saying - We're talking about a guy with a career 2.
37 ERA.
I am.
He had a 0.
98 ERA going into the break; went 21 straight without blowing one save.
And last night's game makes it an even 50 bucks.
I'm working.
So am I.
C.
J.
was up all night.
Any word from Margaret? She's up on the Hill testifying; she'll be back in about an hour.
When do you go up? Tomorrow.
You? Tuesday.
Hi.
What are you guys talking about? - Nothing.
- Baseball.
Get that coffee away from me.
You were here all night again? Omnibus intellectual property bill; limited infringement benefits for good faith uses; third-party participation for patent exemptions; ain't we got fun? You're talking very fast.
Don't you owe Charlie money? We're talking about a guy with a career 2.
37 ERA.
Shoo.
Shooing.
I need less coffee and more sleep.
What's up? They were out of soy.
I got the caramel thing with double whip.
You know what I'm talking about.
Toby got served yesterday.
How many people around here have subpoenas? Lots.
Lots.
We've got trouble.
Trouble with a capital "T," and that rhymes with "P," and that stands for pool.
You need to go home and get some rest.
I just need a little power nap.
How about half an hour; no people, no calls? Oh, jeez.
I forgot to call Leo.
About what? Don't ask.
Our economy is changing.
We are in an information revolution and nearly 60% of companies say that they face When are we going to DC? Two hours.
He's doing it again.
I'm on it.
Should we just throw up our hands and do nothing? No! I can't hear you! No! Don't we want those jobs here in America? Yes! Do we really want them to go to India and China where they have the skills at a quarter of the cost? No! What?! No! Let this be a call to action to all of us today so that we can make sure that all students, all teachers, all schools have the support that they need to meet the highest possible standards for our children's brightest possible future.
Thank you all for coming today.
Whoo! Vinick's on his way to Atlanta for a lunch with the Chamber of Commerce.
Is he still hammering me on border issues? Jack-hammering.
Either way, it's Education Week.
We stay on message.
I'm getting a lot of questions on Intelligent Design.
That's a local issue.
We stay on message, we stay in control.
Give me your watch.
- I wasn't - People don't think you like the speech.
I like the speech, but I'm getting it five times a day.
We didn't put you up here for your own entertainment, Leo.
Is someone on the phone? C.
J.
Give me the phone.
Give me the watch.
- Oh, for the love of - Give me the watch.
You're not a tall person.
And I think you're fabulous.
Help me, God, please.
How's Education Week going? "How long can we stay number one in high-tech jobs if we lag behind in the percentage of bachelor's degrees and graduate degrees in science?" Sounds like a real hoot.
Listen, I got a call from the Vinick campaign.
About? Apparently he had an analyst go off on a situation in Kazakhstan in his daily CIA briefing.
Do we have a situation in Kazakhstan? Nothing worth telling you guys about.
Have you asked Kate or Nancy about it? Vinick wants a new briefer.
He says the guy wouldn't shut up.
Have you or Santos had anything come up and your briefings? Not that I'm aware of.
I got served.
Out there? What can I tell you? They're handing these things out at the Dairy Queen.
Leo, the press Yeah.
They're going to have a field day.
Have you gotten a lawyer? You don't need a lawyer if you haven't done anything wrong.
Yeah.
C.
J.
, I have Kate Harper.
What line? We're getting fragmented reports, but they're confirming a suicide bombing.
Reports are still not clear on how close the bomber was to the Chairman, but we can confirm that Palestinian Leader Farad has been the victim of a suicide bombing.
C.
J.
, you there? Leo.
- Yeah?- no word yet on whether Farad is dead or alive.
Find a television.
Go ahead.
Please.
At 9:33 Jerusalem time, Palestinian Chairman Farad was on his way back from speaking at a University in the West Bank when a vehicle charged his motorcade and exploded.
Several students were killed and Farad was injured.
He's been rushed to Augusta Victoria Hospital on the Mount of Olives.
So far, we're unclear on the extent of his injuries, but we have confirmed that most of his security detail was killed.
Has anyone claimed responsibility? Not yet.
Do we have Commander Perkins? On speaker.
Warren, have we heard from the Israelis? Not yet, Mr.
President.
Who sent the bomber? It's too soon to tell.
Smart money is on Hamas or Islamic Jihad.
Our real concern is whether this is part of a larger scheme, backed by Syria or Iran.
Iran and Syria are interested in the status quo.
They don't want our peacekeeping mission to succeed.
They need the Palestinian problem to keep their own people interested in the West.
Who's in charge with Farad injured? The Speaker of the Palestinian House of Representatives assumes the presidency.
The constitution calls for an election in 60 days to fill the post.
Prime Minister Mukarat would win any popular election.
Unless Hamas wants to exploit the situation.
We don't want fighting to break out between Hamas and the Palestinian security forces.
That could be a prelude to civil war.
With our peacekeepers caught in the crossfire.
Chairman Farad died five minutes ago.
We need to do everything in our power to help the Palestinians hold this together.
The press is waiting.
Here's a draft of your Farad speech.
I know what I'm going to say, Josh.
What do we know? Farad's dead.
Suicide bombing.
Mukarat? The President's trying to rally support.
And the Israelis? Zahavy will tighten security, close their checkpoints If the Israelis reenter those territories There'll be a special briefing for both of you in about an hour.
Vinick's responding? In a couple of minutes.
This funeral's going to blow us out of the water.
This wasn't exactly a popular guy.
Bartlet has to make this funeral a major event if he wants to hold the peace.
We've got about two or three days until the campaign shuts down.
Maybe we should shut down tomorrow.
Are you out of your mind? Out of respect.
This is a national campaign, Ted.
- My name is - Vinick's not going to take two minutes out of Guys, come on.
I want to call the President; offer my condolences.
I know that he and Farad we're close.
We'll make sure we have time for that after your statement to the press.
This is a pit stop; no stray questions.
Got it.
Can you take a call from headquarters? Sure.
I'll catch up.
His name is Ned.
What? Ted.
His name's actually Ned.
I don't like head.
Hello.
Congressman, can you respond to Chairman Farad's death? "Those souls are great who, dying, gave a gift of greater life to man.
Death stands abashed before the brave.
They own a life death cannot ban.
" My thoughts are with Chairman Farad's family and to all who share the dream of peace throughout the world.
Congressman, will you be attending the funeral? We've only just received the news.
Congressman, you're aware that this state's Board of Education is questioning the teaching of evolution? That's a state matter and I don't think this is the right time.
Thank you.
Congressman, can you tell us if you believe in Intelligent Design.
I believe in God, and I like to think he's intelligent.
Does that mean you think it should be taught in schools, Congressman? Does that mean you don't believe in evolution? Josh, can we get a follow-up question, please? It was a gaffe.
It was not.
It was worse than that; it was a God Gaffe.
Can we please not call it that? He said he believed in Intelligent Design.
That's not what he said.
Well, he didn't say he didn't.
He didn't say he did.
It's Creationism with a Groucho mask.
It isn't.
It deviates enough from the bible to say that the Earth is, indeed, over six thousand years.
Zippity-do-dah.
And it doesn't say that God created everything, but perhaps an intelligent designer was behind it.
When asked if he believes in Intelligent Design he responds, "I believe in God.
" That sounds like a yes.
It sounds like he wants the bible taught in biology class, which, of course He doesn't.
He got pulled off message, which means that we are off message, which means that we're out of control.
You're right.
Thank you.
We have to issue a clarifying statement.
Josh, the phones are ringing off the hook at headquarters.
How many Congressional? Half of our base is on the list; - ACLU, NARAL, teacher's unions - Hey, hey, hey.
Were there any positive phone calls? A couple, but most of them think that he's either pandering or worse.
Or that he believes in Intelligent Design.
Does anybody have the time? It's, uh, 10:20.
Leo, we've got a plane to catch.
Goodbye, everybody.
The woman stole my watch.
You got a minute? Yeah.
I got served.
They want me to appear on Monday.
Before Congress? Yeah.
Leo.
I'll call you from the plane.
What time is Prime Minister Zahavy calling? The President's waiting in the Oval now.
- Vinick.
- Right.
I got a call from the Vinick campaign about a CIA analyst going bonkers in his daily briefing.
He wouldn't shut up about Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan? Or was it Kazakhstan? One of the Stan's.
- Did he remember the agents name? - No.
- I'll get into it.
- Thanks.
Are you okay? They're calling me.
How are you doing? I'm on my last drop of adrenaline.
How about you? That guy called again.
Margaret often gives me a name.
Margaret's not back yet? A Mr.
Frost, Charles Frost.
I don't know him.
Have you heard about Santos and how smart God is? Sounds like "Education Week" is evolving into "Religion Week.
" I'm briefing in ten minutes.
Has the President spoken to Zahavy? Any minute.
We're in the Oval.
Hey, I got subpoenaed.
- Congratulations.
- You? Nope.
Last one to get a subpoena is a rotten egg.
Last one to get a subpoena is the focus of the investigation.
Do you have a lawyer? No, I do not.
Get one.
I don't need a lawyer if I haven't done anything wrong.
The President's on with Zahavy.
I understand, Eli.
I feel exactly the same way.
I'm sure we all hope for that.
Thank you, Mr.
Prime Minister.
Anything? No.
He's nervous.
Will Prime Minister Zahavy be attending the funeral? He wouldn't commit.
Dan.
Palestinians are protesting, in Ramallah, in Bethlehem, claiming Israeli extremists were behind this.
That's Hamas.
Did Zahavy confirm the closing of his checkpoints? Yes.
And he agreed that he would like to see Mukarat win the election.
- If the Israelis reenter the territories - Mukarat goes down.
You think we can hold everything together for 60 days? If we can keep Mukarat alive for three, it'll be a miracle.
Toby.
First draft only, sir.
Sir, we have an update on the bomber.
His name is Asim bin Ahmed.
He was a 23-year-old medical student at Al Quds University in Hebron.
A student? He had friends on the Jihad Mosque soccer team.
A jihad soccer team? Several members of the team have carried out suicide bombings.
Though the bomber had no formal ties to Hamas, his classmates say he spent hours at the mosque praying and studying.
Sir, our satellites are showing Israeli tank movement.
We need to announce our plans to attend the funeral.
Sir? We'll round up Zahavy, Prime Minister Grady, President D'Astier, and Chancellor Earhart.
Have they said they're coming? Not yet.
The Palestinians want to have the funeral in Israeli-controlled Jerusalem on the Dome of the Rock.
Jerusalem's beautiful this time of year.
No one is going to be able to guarantee your security.
Secret Service is going to go crazy.
Only world leaders with a death wish would go to this funeral.
Fine, then we'll send Congress.
You should go, sir.
The Palestinians need to see you there.
They need to see how much you respected Farad, how committed you still are to the peace process.
I am going to attend this funeral and I want the leaders of the world to attend with me.
Let's get the leaders of Syria, Lebanon, and Egypt on the phone.
It's almost 1:00 am in Cairo, sir.
Good.
Let's wake some people up.
Thank you everyone.
Commander.
We're going to hold this peace together.
Yes, sir.
The Governor's waiting inside.
He wants to use his photographers.
Tell him we're using ours.
And make sure there's no press sneaking into the parent-teacher round table.
They'll be waiting outside.
After the round table we're going to have to put something out clarifying the Congressman's statement on Intelligent Design.
That says what, he thinks God's a moron? He's running for President, not preacher-in-chief.
He's not going to use Medicaid for communion wafers.
He said he believes in God, as did Abe Lincoln and George Washington.
We can't get sucked into these local issues.
Yes, except Republicans have nominated a pro-choice and, by all accounts, anti-God candidate for the first time in history.
For the first time, we have a chance to reach into their base and win back religious voters, to tell a swath of the heartland that maybe, just maybe, we have a nominee who's not hostile to their cultural values.
It looks like we got their attention.
Which is why you're going to what? Stay on message.
If someone asks you a question on Intelligent Design, you what? Answer it.
- No.
- Yes.
Okay.
ACLU and the Anti-Defamation League have called for clarification on your God Gaffe.
My what? The Center for American Innovation and the Advancement of the American Way are basically going bananas.
So don't let anybody bait you into using any kind of Words.
Words? Yeah, words like Evolution.
Genesis.
Monkey trial.
Creationism.
School.
Prayer.
Church.
State.
Amen.
Hey.
Margaret called.
She's still not back? She said they had more questions for her after lunch.
You want some coffee? I'm taking a nap.
Okay.
I just need half an hour.
You've got it.
I'm serious.
I'm starting to see weird colors, so no people, no calls.
Charles Frost called again.
Did he say what he wanted? He said he needed to talk today.
Try to find out who he is.
No visitors, no calls? I just need a half an hour.
Power nap? Yes.
Sweet dreams.
Charlie.
Close the door.
Right.
You busy? Yes.
You alone? I'm reading.
I guess it's time for some reading glasses.
What do you want? This meeting with Haffley on this education bill Get Charlie to help you.
Haffley's going to push us on private providers and he'll want the straight A provisions to nullify the school-based provisions of Title I.
It's legislative back-and-forth.
And I want you to reconsider getting a lawyer.
Toby.
- Greg Brock - is in jail.
Charlie! Margaret's not back yet? Can't you see that I'm losing my mind? And if I can't sleep, I need at least ten minutes of quiet time to myself.
Quiet time, my time.
I'm going out to get coffee.
I'm learning to free-base this stuff, but that's what it takes to keep this life livable; peace and quiet and an IV of caffeine.
Can I get you anything? - I'm good.
- Charlie? Let me get it.
You take your nap.
Really? It's either that or we pad the walls of your office.
What do you have? I want a double shot, light on the soy, cinnamon-chai, light on the mocha-chino, no whip, sprinkles, and another shot on top.
I'll write it down.
Can you help me with this? Sure.
This is a lot, isn't it? I never know when I'll need an extra set of everything.
Are you alright? Oh, I'm fine.
It's just a little process I go through when I fly.
What process is that? I wash back two of these little anti-anxiety pills with a few flutes of champagne, and I'm just fine.
Thank you, Lauren.
You realize it's a short flight? Sir? Has the Speaker called back yet? No, sir.
I think he's on to the fact that you're inviting him to the funeral where there's a fifty-fifty chance he'll wind up dead.
Coward.
I wanted to remind you that the reception for new board members at the Kennedy Center will be in the lobby at 8:00 pm.
Fine.
Have a seat.
Sir? Sit with me a minute.
Who's performing tonight? Oh, the Vlassenko Septet will be playing Mozart.
Did you know that Mozart's father believed his son to be a miracle from God? He was so convinced of this that he forced young Wolfgang to play all over Europe.
His father felt it was his duty, in a world where no one believed in miracles anymore, to show them God's latest.
Mr.
McGarry's on the line for the President.
Thank you.
And how did young Wolfgang feel about being hauled around like a trained monkey? It pretty much screwed him up for life.
Leo.
Mr.
President.
When do you get in? About an hour.
Really? Things must be slow on the campaign trail.
Mr.
President, I've been served a subpoena to appear before Congress.
At 7:23 on the morning of June 20th, Ms.
Cregg called Mr.
Brock on his cell phone.
Yes, sir.
Were you on that call? I don't believe I was.
You don't believe you were? No, because my first recollection of learning of this call was from Ms.
Cregg.
So you say you connected the call, but you did not monitor its content? I don't believe I connected that call.
- Categorically, can you say that? - That is my best recollection.
So what're saying, that your best recollection is that you don't remember whether you connected that call or not? My best recollection is that I did not connect that particular call.
On the afternoon of the 29th, you received a call from Mr.
Leo McGarry at 4:23 pm? Yes.
He was calling from his cell phone to discuss the New York Times' leak article with C.
J.
Cregg? Yes, sir.
Ms.
Cregg.
You scared me.
Charles Frost; we met once at the Agency.
You've been calling me.
I have information concerning the assassination of Chairman Farad.
It's extremely sensitive.
May I sit? You briefed Arnold Vinick? I need five minutes with the President.
No problem.
The assassination of Chairman Farad is not what they've been telling you.
And what have they been telling me? That the assassin was a student extremist with pockets full of TATP; that he was an individual acting on his own; this was a carefully organized act and there are more coming.
Did you take this through channels? I have been attempting to for weeks but no one has been taking the larger threat seriously.
What larger threat? The assassination of Chairman Farad is linked to another assassination that will be carried out within the next few days and another that will be carried out in weeks to come.
The next target will be in Kazakhstan.
Rushon Issetov.
The President.
The strongest leader in the region.
No one here will care that he is gone but the future of Kazakhstan will be thrown into chaos.
The third assassination will be the regional Vice President of UNOCAL.
I just need five minutes.
This could be the beginning.
We could do a big speech on faith and public values.
He could offer himself up as the buckle on the bible belt.
Josh.
Leo.
Hey.
You reminded him to stay off the Old Testament? I'm trying.
How are you guys doing? Make sure he doesn't take questions from the press.
Yeah, I'm on it.
How's the rest of the day look? Same as always; photo op followed by round table followed by photo op.
Have you told the Congressman yet? I haven't had the chance.
Did you call the President? I did.
What'd he say? What do you think? I'll call you after? The round table's starting.
- Listen, I've got to - Go.
Yeah, come on.
Any update on the funeral? - What time do you brief? - 5:00.
I'll let you know.
I have some Farad remarks for the President to make at tonight's recital.
Great.
I was wondering if maybe you needed to look at them.
No, I think anything that I would notice C.
J.
would notice.
Sure.
What are you digging for? How'd your testimony go? It's been postponed.
Apparently, Margaret's still up there.
You got my message? Yeah, I was on my way to you.
I'll let her know you're here.
Kate Harper.
You can go in.
We need to talk.
I got the name of the analyst who briefed Vinick.
Charles Frost.
I just spent 20 minutes with him.
Here? He said some things.
I'm gonna have his ass.
Why are analysts under your purview coming to me, independently? I apologize and I assure you I'm going to have his paranoid ass.
Are we sending lunatics to brief the Republicans? It won't happen again.
He said there was going to be another assassination.
In Kazakhstan.
President Issetov.
He said it was related to Farad.
We have no intelligence to support that theory.
I feel so much better.
Frost is a good analyst.
He knows the region better than anyone but he's also wrong as often as he is right.
Is he still briefing Vinick? Not after what happened yesterday.
Let me take care of this.
He also said some VP of UNOCAL was going to be assassinated.
Yeah.
C.
J.
, this just came over from the Counsel's office.
What is it? I'm pretty sure it's a subpoena.
We are in an information age and we have a school system that is practically a relic of the agrarian age.
The best teachers will tell you themselves, we have to raise standards for teachers.
We have to.
We should pay them like professionals.
And, yes, we should hold them to higher professional standards as well.
Congressman Santos, do you believe in the theory of Intelligent Design? What's your name? Rochelle Banks.
I teach 10th grade science here at the school.
Well, Rochelle, as a Catholic who attends church every Sunday I do believe in God and my faith tells me that there was a designer behind it.
It's time for us to leave.
The school? The state.
Yes, sir.
Uh, what's your name? Clifford Reynolds.
I teach English here at Leonard.
Nice to meet you, Clifford.
Thanks.
May I ask you if you believe in the theory of evolution? Well, I think it'd be very difficult to teach geology, anthropology, and zoology without evolution, so yes, I do.
I don't believe it's contradictory to believe in science and believe in God.
Do you believe that the theory of Intelligent Design and the Theory of Evolution should be taught alongside each other in the public schools? Absolutely not.
One is based on science, the other is based on faith.
Intelligent Design is not a scientific theory, it's a religious belief.
And our Constitution does not allow for the teaching of religion in our public schools.
Many of us here would be more comfortable if our children were taught all points of view.
And I'm all for that.
Evolution is not perfect.
It doesn't answer every question but it is based on scientific facts; facts that can be predicted, tested, and proven.
Intelligent Design asks theological questions.
I'm sure that many of us would agree that at the beginning of all that begat-ing, something begun.
What was that something? Congressman Santos, many of us want a version of science taught to our kids that's in accordance with our beliefs.
I understand.
But can't we agree that the inclusion of non-scientific explanations into the science curriculum of our schools misrepresents the nature of science? And therefore compromises a central purpose in our public education which is the preparation of a scientifically literate workforce.
If you have a problem with your child's education, get involved.
If you have a problem with what the School Board wants to teach, run for School Board.
We can never forget that the best way to preserve our democracy is to take part in it.
Thanks for your question.
Thank you all.
Thank you.
I'll be damned.
- Congressman, do you apologize for your comments about separation of church and state? - Congressman, as a Catholic, do you advocate the teaching of Intelligent Design to children attending Catholic school? Just because I'm talking about my faith doesn't mean I don't believe in the separation of church and state.
Congressman Santos, do you believe Senator Vinick believes in Intelligent Design? Well, I don't know.
You'd have to ask him that.
Did what I think just happened just happen? Ted.
My name is Ned.
Where's the nearest TV? As you know, the Supreme Court does not allow the teaching of religion in public schools.
Come on.
This is a local responsibility, not a federal one.
You can do better than that.
Senator, some of the Christian right are still looking for a reason to vote for you.
Can you afford to keep alienating them? Thank you.
Ouch.
That's when Vinick's people jumped in and ended the Q&A.
Ended the Q&A! Josh, Meet the Press just called.
They want to bump Leo and open the show with Santos and his views on religion and education.
And nightline called about Monday's segment.
Where's the Congressman? Yes, Mr.
Speaker.
I appreciate the support.
Thank you.
The Speaker's in.
We're close to having a full house on Air Force One.
Any word from the Russian ambassador whether Chigorin's coming? No, but you can corner him at tonight's recital.
Yeah.
Wheels-up for the funeral is 9:00 am tomorrow.
Agent Butterfield will be briefing you security issues on the plane.
Fine.
Santos seems to have turned the tables on Vinick.
Yes.
I understand Leo called.
Yeah.
Thank you, sir.
Barry! Mr.
Vice President! Please.
I can't tell you how comforted we all are by your presence on the ticket.
Awful about Farad.
How do we protect ourselves from a guy dressed in dynamite? I appreciate your taking the time to come by.
Of course.
I've been served a subpoena to appear before the Intelligence Committee investigating the White House leak.
You could claim executive privilege.
I wasn't Chief of Staff when the leak occurred.
But you were still working inside the White House? Executive privilege isn't going to work.
The President has ordered all White House personnel to cooperate.
So you were working inside the White House, without a title, with the individual who's now become the primary focus of a criminal investigation? Yes.
So a candidate for the Vice Presidency with a history of alcoholism and heart disease was working inside the White House when a major breach of national security occurred and is now going to be dropped off at the press-infested Hart building with his lawyer to testify before a Republican Congressional committee investigating a Democratic administration's failure to competently protect the Presidency.
Any way I can protect the Santos campaign? When do you go before the Committee? Monday.
Well, we can talk about protecting you, but as far as the Santos campaign is concerned: you are just a guy dressed in dynamite.
Thank you.
You wanted to see me, Mr.
President.
Toby, come on in.
You read my draft? I made a few changes but have a seat.
Thank you, sir.
What changes? Do we know more about the bomber? He was a student.
A 23-year-old from an upper-middle class family.
When he wasn't at school he spent hours at the mosque studying and praying.
Churchill said, "A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject.
" I pushed him.
Farad? Farad didn't think the peace would work.
I pushed him into doing it.
Leo called.
He's coming to town to do the Sunday morning shows.
He's also coming to see his attorney.
It seems he's been served a subpoena to testify.
Leo can't pull up to the Hart building in a limo.
The Vice Presidential candidate can't testify.
It'll be the end of the Santos campaign.
The investigation into the leak is focused on C.
J.
They've got it wrong.
Apparently, they don't see it that way.
You need to dress for the recital, sir.
Thank you.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
How'd it go? Try to get some sleep.
The motorcade's going to pick you up at 7:00 am sharp at your hotel.
Now, once you wrap it up with Russert you have a thirty minute window to get to Face the Nation followed by a sit-down with the Post.
Don't you ever get tired? No.
And how is that? I graduated cum laude with a degree in art history and if you'd have told me I'd end up here Let's just say I love my job.
What time is it? Headed back to your hotel? Yeah.
It's been a day.
Hmm.
What are you up to? Heading back to my apartment and a nice, hot bath.
You feel like dinner? I do, but We'll get a bite.
It's early.
Thanks, but no.
I just think it's better while we're spending so much time together that we try and keep our distance whenever possible.
Keep our distance? Because of the tension.
What tension? Last education stump of the day, and then back to the hotel.
I'll let you know when they're ready.
I'll see you inside.
Thank you.
You want to talk? How you doing? I'm good.
Good.
Joey Lucas called; said there might be some movement in the polls.
All the Sunday morning shows are going to make Matt Santos' Education Week the elite political story.
Imagine that.
We came here to talk about education, and we spent the whole day getting people to talk about education.
Sometimes a little religion helps the medicine go down.
Leo got subpoenaed.
When does he appear? Monday.
Okay, ready.
The President will be leaving for Jerusalem first thing in the morning.
Will Zahavy be attending the funeral? He's afraid his presence will provoke a reaction from the Palestinian hard-liners.
In preparation for the funeral, we're deploying more of our own peacekeeping troops as a precaution here and here.
How long until they're in position? The regional commander said six hours.
Any other activity? No.
The Israelis have halted their tanks for now.
What's that? We have what appears to be another assassination.
Kazakhstan.
Who? The President.
Standard turmoil in the region.
Issetov? That's right.
I want you to tell me everything you can about the assassin as soon as you possible.
Somebody get our ambassador to Kazakhstan and I want the region office to UNOCAL on the phone now.
Before we recognize tonight's Kennedy Center Board, I'd like to take a moment.
Chairman Farad was my friend.
Together, with Israeli Prime Minister Zahavy, we pursued the challenge of a brave and just peace.
Our goal was a better future for the children.
But old enemies die hard and last night hatred and fear took our friend in a senseless act of cowardice.
How then should we respond to such violence and despair? I know that Chairman Farad would want us to take a moment to remember those innocent victims who perished with him.
They were seven students studying at universities in Jerusalem.
And their names are: Salim Saida, age 19, Palestinian; Akiva Eshkol, age 23, Israeli To be a person of faith is to have the world challenge that faith.
Was the universe designed by God? That's up to everyone in this country to decide for themselves because the framers of our Constitution believed that if the people were to be sovereign and belong to different religions at the same time then our official religion would have to be no religion at all.
It was a bold experiment then, as it is now.
It wasn't meant to make us comfortable.
It was meant to make us free.
You got anything? Nothing new.
Have you talked to Agent Frost? He's no one's been able to track him down.
He's missing? I can't say that yet.
He'll turn up by morning.
You should go home.
We both should.
I'm leaving soon.
I'll let you know if anything happens.
Good evening.
You would not believe the day I've had.
I'd tell you about it if I could talk about it, but a bunch of stuff happened today that I can't talk about so I guess I should stop talking about it.
But the truth is I'm so strung out and wired on caffeine I can't even tell what room I'm in.
C.
J.
Let's open that bottle of champagne you gave me for my birthday.
Maybe the alcohol will balance out the caffeine.
C.
J.
, the leak Let's have a toast.
One final toast before I leave the White House for my perp walk in leg irons.
Here, you open it.
I'll put your eye out.
C.
J.
Fine, I'll open it.
But just, uh, listen to what I have to say.
Leo's in trouble.
I know.
You do? I got a lawyer.
What? I got a lawyer.
I did it.
This is an inquiry by the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.
This is the 14th closed hearing by this committee as we conduct our joint inquiry into the disclosure of classified, national security information to the press.
Will the witness please stand and raise your right hand to take the oath? Do you solemnly swear that the testimony that you give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? I do.
Senator Dresden, you may proceed.
Ms.
Hooper, good morning.
Thank you for joining us.
You are White House Chief of Staff Claudia Jean Cregg's Executive assistant; is that correct? Yes, sir.
And you are responsible for connecting all calls from both outside and inside the White House to the Chief of Staff through your office line? Yes, sir.
I assume you are familiar with the White House archiving system known as ARMS? I am.
This committee has subpoenaed copies of the electronic material that passed through the office of Chief of Staff between December 30 and July 14 of this year.
In total, the search included 19 segments of the ARMS database.
Separate subpoenas were served to include the use of e-mails from both interoffice hard drives to the individual servers of Blackberry and various other devices of an electronic nature.
Did you need a glass of water? I'm fine.
Can we get her a glass of water, please? Yes, sir.
You're aware of an article in The New York Times on July 14 of this year, claiming the existence of a top secret military space shuttle? Yes, sir, I am.
And you're aware the reporter responsible for the article's contents is Greg Brock, who has been jailed for refusing to reveal his source of the information? Yes.
Am I correct in noting that Mr.
Brock appears on Ms.
Cregg's interoffice phone log between 2 and 14 times a week in the six months before June 30? Does that sound accurate? Yes, sir.
On June 27, you received a call on your main office line from Mr.
Brock's cell phone at 7:27 am.
Is that correct? Yes, sir.
What can you tell us about the nature of that call? I wasn't in the room with Ms.
Cregg at the time of call so I can't say what she and Mr.
Brock spoke about.
You can't say? I mean, I don't know.
Well, Mr.
Brock called again at 1:29, and then again at 2:20 that same afternoon.
On the first call, you then patched it through to Ms.
Cregg on her Blackberry.
Is that correct? That's correct.
Am I correct in noting that the calls that come through your phone can be monitored by the person manning your phone after they've been connected to their designated line? I would remind you that you're under oath.
Yes, sir.
So you were capable of monitoring Ms.
Cregg's phone calls, private and otherwise? Yes, sir.
So let me start by asking you, did you ever monitor any phone conversations between Ms.
Cregg and Mr.
Brock? How long can we generate a third of this world's economic output if a third of our students don't even meet the most basic reading levels.
How long can we stay number one in high-tech jobs if we are declining in the percentage of bachelor's degrees.
So, what are you saying? They couldn't get Creationism into classrooms because it violates the separation of church and state.
They're going to run into the same roadblock with Intelligent Design.
The local Board of Education just held hearings on why Intelligent Design should be taught in classrooms alongside evolution, so local reporters are going to want to talk about it.
So, the state Board of Education has a problem with the Constitution? The majority of the Board was taken over by Evangelical Christians in the last election.
Vinick's on his way to Atlanta.
He's still hammering us on border issues.
It looks like the togetherness tour is working.
Hmm.
The Washington Post calls the Santos/McGarry road-show an effective blend of energy and experience.
The L.
A.
Times said Leo actually looked lifelike.
The Post Dispatch calls our "Education Week" "Boring Week.
" When we are talking about education, we're talking about our most precious resource: our children.
Ladies and gentlemen, we must find better ways Good morning.
You owe me money.
I'm working.
- I'm just saying - We're talking about a guy with a career 2.
37 ERA.
I am.
He had a 0.
98 ERA going into the break; went 21 straight without blowing one save.
And last night's game makes it an even 50 bucks.
I'm working.
So am I.
C.
J.
was up all night.
Any word from Margaret? She's up on the Hill testifying; she'll be back in about an hour.
When do you go up? Tomorrow.
You? Tuesday.
Hi.
What are you guys talking about? - Nothing.
- Baseball.
Get that coffee away from me.
You were here all night again? Omnibus intellectual property bill; limited infringement benefits for good faith uses; third-party participation for patent exemptions; ain't we got fun? You're talking very fast.
Don't you owe Charlie money? We're talking about a guy with a career 2.
37 ERA.
Shoo.
Shooing.
I need less coffee and more sleep.
What's up? They were out of soy.
I got the caramel thing with double whip.
You know what I'm talking about.
Toby got served yesterday.
How many people around here have subpoenas? Lots.
Lots.
We've got trouble.
Trouble with a capital "T," and that rhymes with "P," and that stands for pool.
You need to go home and get some rest.
I just need a little power nap.
How about half an hour; no people, no calls? Oh, jeez.
I forgot to call Leo.
About what? Don't ask.
Our economy is changing.
We are in an information revolution and nearly 60% of companies say that they face When are we going to DC? Two hours.
He's doing it again.
I'm on it.
Should we just throw up our hands and do nothing? No! I can't hear you! No! Don't we want those jobs here in America? Yes! Do we really want them to go to India and China where they have the skills at a quarter of the cost? No! What?! No! Let this be a call to action to all of us today so that we can make sure that all students, all teachers, all schools have the support that they need to meet the highest possible standards for our children's brightest possible future.
Thank you all for coming today.
Whoo! Vinick's on his way to Atlanta for a lunch with the Chamber of Commerce.
Is he still hammering me on border issues? Jack-hammering.
Either way, it's Education Week.
We stay on message.
I'm getting a lot of questions on Intelligent Design.
That's a local issue.
We stay on message, we stay in control.
Give me your watch.
- I wasn't - People don't think you like the speech.
I like the speech, but I'm getting it five times a day.
We didn't put you up here for your own entertainment, Leo.
Is someone on the phone? C.
J.
Give me the phone.
Give me the watch.
- Oh, for the love of - Give me the watch.
You're not a tall person.
And I think you're fabulous.
Help me, God, please.
How's Education Week going? "How long can we stay number one in high-tech jobs if we lag behind in the percentage of bachelor's degrees and graduate degrees in science?" Sounds like a real hoot.
Listen, I got a call from the Vinick campaign.
About? Apparently he had an analyst go off on a situation in Kazakhstan in his daily CIA briefing.
Do we have a situation in Kazakhstan? Nothing worth telling you guys about.
Have you asked Kate or Nancy about it? Vinick wants a new briefer.
He says the guy wouldn't shut up.
Have you or Santos had anything come up and your briefings? Not that I'm aware of.
I got served.
Out there? What can I tell you? They're handing these things out at the Dairy Queen.
Leo, the press Yeah.
They're going to have a field day.
Have you gotten a lawyer? You don't need a lawyer if you haven't done anything wrong.
Yeah.
C.
J.
, I have Kate Harper.
What line? We're getting fragmented reports, but they're confirming a suicide bombing.
Reports are still not clear on how close the bomber was to the Chairman, but we can confirm that Palestinian Leader Farad has been the victim of a suicide bombing.
C.
J.
, you there? Leo.
- Yeah?- no word yet on whether Farad is dead or alive.
Find a television.
Go ahead.
Please.
At 9:33 Jerusalem time, Palestinian Chairman Farad was on his way back from speaking at a University in the West Bank when a vehicle charged his motorcade and exploded.
Several students were killed and Farad was injured.
He's been rushed to Augusta Victoria Hospital on the Mount of Olives.
So far, we're unclear on the extent of his injuries, but we have confirmed that most of his security detail was killed.
Has anyone claimed responsibility? Not yet.
Do we have Commander Perkins? On speaker.
Warren, have we heard from the Israelis? Not yet, Mr.
President.
Who sent the bomber? It's too soon to tell.
Smart money is on Hamas or Islamic Jihad.
Our real concern is whether this is part of a larger scheme, backed by Syria or Iran.
Iran and Syria are interested in the status quo.
They don't want our peacekeeping mission to succeed.
They need the Palestinian problem to keep their own people interested in the West.
Who's in charge with Farad injured? The Speaker of the Palestinian House of Representatives assumes the presidency.
The constitution calls for an election in 60 days to fill the post.
Prime Minister Mukarat would win any popular election.
Unless Hamas wants to exploit the situation.
We don't want fighting to break out between Hamas and the Palestinian security forces.
That could be a prelude to civil war.
With our peacekeepers caught in the crossfire.
Chairman Farad died five minutes ago.
We need to do everything in our power to help the Palestinians hold this together.
The press is waiting.
Here's a draft of your Farad speech.
I know what I'm going to say, Josh.
What do we know? Farad's dead.
Suicide bombing.
Mukarat? The President's trying to rally support.
And the Israelis? Zahavy will tighten security, close their checkpoints If the Israelis reenter those territories There'll be a special briefing for both of you in about an hour.
Vinick's responding? In a couple of minutes.
This funeral's going to blow us out of the water.
This wasn't exactly a popular guy.
Bartlet has to make this funeral a major event if he wants to hold the peace.
We've got about two or three days until the campaign shuts down.
Maybe we should shut down tomorrow.
Are you out of your mind? Out of respect.
This is a national campaign, Ted.
- My name is - Vinick's not going to take two minutes out of Guys, come on.
I want to call the President; offer my condolences.
I know that he and Farad we're close.
We'll make sure we have time for that after your statement to the press.
This is a pit stop; no stray questions.
Got it.
Can you take a call from headquarters? Sure.
I'll catch up.
His name is Ned.
What? Ted.
His name's actually Ned.
I don't like head.
Hello.
Congressman, can you respond to Chairman Farad's death? "Those souls are great who, dying, gave a gift of greater life to man.
Death stands abashed before the brave.
They own a life death cannot ban.
" My thoughts are with Chairman Farad's family and to all who share the dream of peace throughout the world.
Congressman, will you be attending the funeral? We've only just received the news.
Congressman, you're aware that this state's Board of Education is questioning the teaching of evolution? That's a state matter and I don't think this is the right time.
Thank you.
Congressman, can you tell us if you believe in Intelligent Design.
I believe in God, and I like to think he's intelligent.
Does that mean you think it should be taught in schools, Congressman? Does that mean you don't believe in evolution? Josh, can we get a follow-up question, please? It was a gaffe.
It was not.
It was worse than that; it was a God Gaffe.
Can we please not call it that? He said he believed in Intelligent Design.
That's not what he said.
Well, he didn't say he didn't.
He didn't say he did.
It's Creationism with a Groucho mask.
It isn't.
It deviates enough from the bible to say that the Earth is, indeed, over six thousand years.
Zippity-do-dah.
And it doesn't say that God created everything, but perhaps an intelligent designer was behind it.
When asked if he believes in Intelligent Design he responds, "I believe in God.
" That sounds like a yes.
It sounds like he wants the bible taught in biology class, which, of course He doesn't.
He got pulled off message, which means that we are off message, which means that we're out of control.
You're right.
Thank you.
We have to issue a clarifying statement.
Josh, the phones are ringing off the hook at headquarters.
How many Congressional? Half of our base is on the list; - ACLU, NARAL, teacher's unions - Hey, hey, hey.
Were there any positive phone calls? A couple, but most of them think that he's either pandering or worse.
Or that he believes in Intelligent Design.
Does anybody have the time? It's, uh, 10:20.
Leo, we've got a plane to catch.
Goodbye, everybody.
The woman stole my watch.
You got a minute? Yeah.
I got served.
They want me to appear on Monday.
Before Congress? Yeah.
Leo.
I'll call you from the plane.
What time is Prime Minister Zahavy calling? The President's waiting in the Oval now.
- Vinick.
- Right.
I got a call from the Vinick campaign about a CIA analyst going bonkers in his daily briefing.
He wouldn't shut up about Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan? Or was it Kazakhstan? One of the Stan's.
- Did he remember the agents name? - No.
- I'll get into it.
- Thanks.
Are you okay? They're calling me.
How are you doing? I'm on my last drop of adrenaline.
How about you? That guy called again.
Margaret often gives me a name.
Margaret's not back yet? A Mr.
Frost, Charles Frost.
I don't know him.
Have you heard about Santos and how smart God is? Sounds like "Education Week" is evolving into "Religion Week.
" I'm briefing in ten minutes.
Has the President spoken to Zahavy? Any minute.
We're in the Oval.
Hey, I got subpoenaed.
- Congratulations.
- You? Nope.
Last one to get a subpoena is a rotten egg.
Last one to get a subpoena is the focus of the investigation.
Do you have a lawyer? No, I do not.
Get one.
I don't need a lawyer if I haven't done anything wrong.
The President's on with Zahavy.
I understand, Eli.
I feel exactly the same way.
I'm sure we all hope for that.
Thank you, Mr.
Prime Minister.
Anything? No.
He's nervous.
Will Prime Minister Zahavy be attending the funeral? He wouldn't commit.
Dan.
Palestinians are protesting, in Ramallah, in Bethlehem, claiming Israeli extremists were behind this.
That's Hamas.
Did Zahavy confirm the closing of his checkpoints? Yes.
And he agreed that he would like to see Mukarat win the election.
- If the Israelis reenter the territories - Mukarat goes down.
You think we can hold everything together for 60 days? If we can keep Mukarat alive for three, it'll be a miracle.
Toby.
First draft only, sir.
Sir, we have an update on the bomber.
His name is Asim bin Ahmed.
He was a 23-year-old medical student at Al Quds University in Hebron.
A student? He had friends on the Jihad Mosque soccer team.
A jihad soccer team? Several members of the team have carried out suicide bombings.
Though the bomber had no formal ties to Hamas, his classmates say he spent hours at the mosque praying and studying.
Sir, our satellites are showing Israeli tank movement.
We need to announce our plans to attend the funeral.
Sir? We'll round up Zahavy, Prime Minister Grady, President D'Astier, and Chancellor Earhart.
Have they said they're coming? Not yet.
The Palestinians want to have the funeral in Israeli-controlled Jerusalem on the Dome of the Rock.
Jerusalem's beautiful this time of year.
No one is going to be able to guarantee your security.
Secret Service is going to go crazy.
Only world leaders with a death wish would go to this funeral.
Fine, then we'll send Congress.
You should go, sir.
The Palestinians need to see you there.
They need to see how much you respected Farad, how committed you still are to the peace process.
I am going to attend this funeral and I want the leaders of the world to attend with me.
Let's get the leaders of Syria, Lebanon, and Egypt on the phone.
It's almost 1:00 am in Cairo, sir.
Good.
Let's wake some people up.
Thank you everyone.
Commander.
We're going to hold this peace together.
Yes, sir.
The Governor's waiting inside.
He wants to use his photographers.
Tell him we're using ours.
And make sure there's no press sneaking into the parent-teacher round table.
They'll be waiting outside.
After the round table we're going to have to put something out clarifying the Congressman's statement on Intelligent Design.
That says what, he thinks God's a moron? He's running for President, not preacher-in-chief.
He's not going to use Medicaid for communion wafers.
He said he believes in God, as did Abe Lincoln and George Washington.
We can't get sucked into these local issues.
Yes, except Republicans have nominated a pro-choice and, by all accounts, anti-God candidate for the first time in history.
For the first time, we have a chance to reach into their base and win back religious voters, to tell a swath of the heartland that maybe, just maybe, we have a nominee who's not hostile to their cultural values.
It looks like we got their attention.
Which is why you're going to what? Stay on message.
If someone asks you a question on Intelligent Design, you what? Answer it.
- No.
- Yes.
Okay.
ACLU and the Anti-Defamation League have called for clarification on your God Gaffe.
My what? The Center for American Innovation and the Advancement of the American Way are basically going bananas.
So don't let anybody bait you into using any kind of Words.
Words? Yeah, words like Evolution.
Genesis.
Monkey trial.
Creationism.
School.
Prayer.
Church.
State.
Amen.
Hey.
Margaret called.
She's still not back? She said they had more questions for her after lunch.
You want some coffee? I'm taking a nap.
Okay.
I just need half an hour.
You've got it.
I'm serious.
I'm starting to see weird colors, so no people, no calls.
Charles Frost called again.
Did he say what he wanted? He said he needed to talk today.
Try to find out who he is.
No visitors, no calls? I just need a half an hour.
Power nap? Yes.
Sweet dreams.
Charlie.
Close the door.
Right.
You busy? Yes.
You alone? I'm reading.
I guess it's time for some reading glasses.
What do you want? This meeting with Haffley on this education bill Get Charlie to help you.
Haffley's going to push us on private providers and he'll want the straight A provisions to nullify the school-based provisions of Title I.
It's legislative back-and-forth.
And I want you to reconsider getting a lawyer.
Toby.
- Greg Brock - is in jail.
Charlie! Margaret's not back yet? Can't you see that I'm losing my mind? And if I can't sleep, I need at least ten minutes of quiet time to myself.
Quiet time, my time.
I'm going out to get coffee.
I'm learning to free-base this stuff, but that's what it takes to keep this life livable; peace and quiet and an IV of caffeine.
Can I get you anything? - I'm good.
- Charlie? Let me get it.
You take your nap.
Really? It's either that or we pad the walls of your office.
What do you have? I want a double shot, light on the soy, cinnamon-chai, light on the mocha-chino, no whip, sprinkles, and another shot on top.
I'll write it down.
Can you help me with this? Sure.
This is a lot, isn't it? I never know when I'll need an extra set of everything.
Are you alright? Oh, I'm fine.
It's just a little process I go through when I fly.
What process is that? I wash back two of these little anti-anxiety pills with a few flutes of champagne, and I'm just fine.
Thank you, Lauren.
You realize it's a short flight? Sir? Has the Speaker called back yet? No, sir.
I think he's on to the fact that you're inviting him to the funeral where there's a fifty-fifty chance he'll wind up dead.
Coward.
I wanted to remind you that the reception for new board members at the Kennedy Center will be in the lobby at 8:00 pm.
Fine.
Have a seat.
Sir? Sit with me a minute.
Who's performing tonight? Oh, the Vlassenko Septet will be playing Mozart.
Did you know that Mozart's father believed his son to be a miracle from God? He was so convinced of this that he forced young Wolfgang to play all over Europe.
His father felt it was his duty, in a world where no one believed in miracles anymore, to show them God's latest.
Mr.
McGarry's on the line for the President.
Thank you.
And how did young Wolfgang feel about being hauled around like a trained monkey? It pretty much screwed him up for life.
Leo.
Mr.
President.
When do you get in? About an hour.
Really? Things must be slow on the campaign trail.
Mr.
President, I've been served a subpoena to appear before Congress.
At 7:23 on the morning of June 20th, Ms.
Cregg called Mr.
Brock on his cell phone.
Yes, sir.
Were you on that call? I don't believe I was.
You don't believe you were? No, because my first recollection of learning of this call was from Ms.
Cregg.
So you say you connected the call, but you did not monitor its content? I don't believe I connected that call.
- Categorically, can you say that? - That is my best recollection.
So what're saying, that your best recollection is that you don't remember whether you connected that call or not? My best recollection is that I did not connect that particular call.
On the afternoon of the 29th, you received a call from Mr.
Leo McGarry at 4:23 pm? Yes.
He was calling from his cell phone to discuss the New York Times' leak article with C.
J.
Cregg? Yes, sir.
Ms.
Cregg.
You scared me.
Charles Frost; we met once at the Agency.
You've been calling me.
I have information concerning the assassination of Chairman Farad.
It's extremely sensitive.
May I sit? You briefed Arnold Vinick? I need five minutes with the President.
No problem.
The assassination of Chairman Farad is not what they've been telling you.
And what have they been telling me? That the assassin was a student extremist with pockets full of TATP; that he was an individual acting on his own; this was a carefully organized act and there are more coming.
Did you take this through channels? I have been attempting to for weeks but no one has been taking the larger threat seriously.
What larger threat? The assassination of Chairman Farad is linked to another assassination that will be carried out within the next few days and another that will be carried out in weeks to come.
The next target will be in Kazakhstan.
Rushon Issetov.
The President.
The strongest leader in the region.
No one here will care that he is gone but the future of Kazakhstan will be thrown into chaos.
The third assassination will be the regional Vice President of UNOCAL.
I just need five minutes.
This could be the beginning.
We could do a big speech on faith and public values.
He could offer himself up as the buckle on the bible belt.
Josh.
Leo.
Hey.
You reminded him to stay off the Old Testament? I'm trying.
How are you guys doing? Make sure he doesn't take questions from the press.
Yeah, I'm on it.
How's the rest of the day look? Same as always; photo op followed by round table followed by photo op.
Have you told the Congressman yet? I haven't had the chance.
Did you call the President? I did.
What'd he say? What do you think? I'll call you after? The round table's starting.
- Listen, I've got to - Go.
Yeah, come on.
Any update on the funeral? - What time do you brief? - 5:00.
I'll let you know.
I have some Farad remarks for the President to make at tonight's recital.
Great.
I was wondering if maybe you needed to look at them.
No, I think anything that I would notice C.
J.
would notice.
Sure.
What are you digging for? How'd your testimony go? It's been postponed.
Apparently, Margaret's still up there.
You got my message? Yeah, I was on my way to you.
I'll let her know you're here.
Kate Harper.
You can go in.
We need to talk.
I got the name of the analyst who briefed Vinick.
Charles Frost.
I just spent 20 minutes with him.
Here? He said some things.
I'm gonna have his ass.
Why are analysts under your purview coming to me, independently? I apologize and I assure you I'm going to have his paranoid ass.
Are we sending lunatics to brief the Republicans? It won't happen again.
He said there was going to be another assassination.
In Kazakhstan.
President Issetov.
He said it was related to Farad.
We have no intelligence to support that theory.
I feel so much better.
Frost is a good analyst.
He knows the region better than anyone but he's also wrong as often as he is right.
Is he still briefing Vinick? Not after what happened yesterday.
Let me take care of this.
He also said some VP of UNOCAL was going to be assassinated.
Yeah.
C.
J.
, this just came over from the Counsel's office.
What is it? I'm pretty sure it's a subpoena.
We are in an information age and we have a school system that is practically a relic of the agrarian age.
The best teachers will tell you themselves, we have to raise standards for teachers.
We have to.
We should pay them like professionals.
And, yes, we should hold them to higher professional standards as well.
Congressman Santos, do you believe in the theory of Intelligent Design? What's your name? Rochelle Banks.
I teach 10th grade science here at the school.
Well, Rochelle, as a Catholic who attends church every Sunday I do believe in God and my faith tells me that there was a designer behind it.
It's time for us to leave.
The school? The state.
Yes, sir.
Uh, what's your name? Clifford Reynolds.
I teach English here at Leonard.
Nice to meet you, Clifford.
Thanks.
May I ask you if you believe in the theory of evolution? Well, I think it'd be very difficult to teach geology, anthropology, and zoology without evolution, so yes, I do.
I don't believe it's contradictory to believe in science and believe in God.
Do you believe that the theory of Intelligent Design and the Theory of Evolution should be taught alongside each other in the public schools? Absolutely not.
One is based on science, the other is based on faith.
Intelligent Design is not a scientific theory, it's a religious belief.
And our Constitution does not allow for the teaching of religion in our public schools.
Many of us here would be more comfortable if our children were taught all points of view.
And I'm all for that.
Evolution is not perfect.
It doesn't answer every question but it is based on scientific facts; facts that can be predicted, tested, and proven.
Intelligent Design asks theological questions.
I'm sure that many of us would agree that at the beginning of all that begat-ing, something begun.
What was that something? Congressman Santos, many of us want a version of science taught to our kids that's in accordance with our beliefs.
I understand.
But can't we agree that the inclusion of non-scientific explanations into the science curriculum of our schools misrepresents the nature of science? And therefore compromises a central purpose in our public education which is the preparation of a scientifically literate workforce.
If you have a problem with your child's education, get involved.
If you have a problem with what the School Board wants to teach, run for School Board.
We can never forget that the best way to preserve our democracy is to take part in it.
Thanks for your question.
Thank you all.
Thank you.
I'll be damned.
- Congressman, do you apologize for your comments about separation of church and state? - Congressman, as a Catholic, do you advocate the teaching of Intelligent Design to children attending Catholic school? Just because I'm talking about my faith doesn't mean I don't believe in the separation of church and state.
Congressman Santos, do you believe Senator Vinick believes in Intelligent Design? Well, I don't know.
You'd have to ask him that.
Did what I think just happened just happen? Ted.
My name is Ned.
Where's the nearest TV? As you know, the Supreme Court does not allow the teaching of religion in public schools.
Come on.
This is a local responsibility, not a federal one.
You can do better than that.
Senator, some of the Christian right are still looking for a reason to vote for you.
Can you afford to keep alienating them? Thank you.
Ouch.
That's when Vinick's people jumped in and ended the Q&A.
Ended the Q&A! Josh, Meet the Press just called.
They want to bump Leo and open the show with Santos and his views on religion and education.
And nightline called about Monday's segment.
Where's the Congressman? Yes, Mr.
Speaker.
I appreciate the support.
Thank you.
The Speaker's in.
We're close to having a full house on Air Force One.
Any word from the Russian ambassador whether Chigorin's coming? No, but you can corner him at tonight's recital.
Yeah.
Wheels-up for the funeral is 9:00 am tomorrow.
Agent Butterfield will be briefing you security issues on the plane.
Fine.
Santos seems to have turned the tables on Vinick.
Yes.
I understand Leo called.
Yeah.
Thank you, sir.
Barry! Mr.
Vice President! Please.
I can't tell you how comforted we all are by your presence on the ticket.
Awful about Farad.
How do we protect ourselves from a guy dressed in dynamite? I appreciate your taking the time to come by.
Of course.
I've been served a subpoena to appear before the Intelligence Committee investigating the White House leak.
You could claim executive privilege.
I wasn't Chief of Staff when the leak occurred.
But you were still working inside the White House? Executive privilege isn't going to work.
The President has ordered all White House personnel to cooperate.
So you were working inside the White House, without a title, with the individual who's now become the primary focus of a criminal investigation? Yes.
So a candidate for the Vice Presidency with a history of alcoholism and heart disease was working inside the White House when a major breach of national security occurred and is now going to be dropped off at the press-infested Hart building with his lawyer to testify before a Republican Congressional committee investigating a Democratic administration's failure to competently protect the Presidency.
Any way I can protect the Santos campaign? When do you go before the Committee? Monday.
Well, we can talk about protecting you, but as far as the Santos campaign is concerned: you are just a guy dressed in dynamite.
Thank you.
You wanted to see me, Mr.
President.
Toby, come on in.
You read my draft? I made a few changes but have a seat.
Thank you, sir.
What changes? Do we know more about the bomber? He was a student.
A 23-year-old from an upper-middle class family.
When he wasn't at school he spent hours at the mosque studying and praying.
Churchill said, "A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject.
" I pushed him.
Farad? Farad didn't think the peace would work.
I pushed him into doing it.
Leo called.
He's coming to town to do the Sunday morning shows.
He's also coming to see his attorney.
It seems he's been served a subpoena to testify.
Leo can't pull up to the Hart building in a limo.
The Vice Presidential candidate can't testify.
It'll be the end of the Santos campaign.
The investigation into the leak is focused on C.
J.
They've got it wrong.
Apparently, they don't see it that way.
You need to dress for the recital, sir.
Thank you.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
How'd it go? Try to get some sleep.
The motorcade's going to pick you up at 7:00 am sharp at your hotel.
Now, once you wrap it up with Russert you have a thirty minute window to get to Face the Nation followed by a sit-down with the Post.
Don't you ever get tired? No.
And how is that? I graduated cum laude with a degree in art history and if you'd have told me I'd end up here Let's just say I love my job.
What time is it? Headed back to your hotel? Yeah.
It's been a day.
Hmm.
What are you up to? Heading back to my apartment and a nice, hot bath.
You feel like dinner? I do, but We'll get a bite.
It's early.
Thanks, but no.
I just think it's better while we're spending so much time together that we try and keep our distance whenever possible.
Keep our distance? Because of the tension.
What tension? Last education stump of the day, and then back to the hotel.
I'll let you know when they're ready.
I'll see you inside.
Thank you.
You want to talk? How you doing? I'm good.
Good.
Joey Lucas called; said there might be some movement in the polls.
All the Sunday morning shows are going to make Matt Santos' Education Week the elite political story.
Imagine that.
We came here to talk about education, and we spent the whole day getting people to talk about education.
Sometimes a little religion helps the medicine go down.
Leo got subpoenaed.
When does he appear? Monday.
Okay, ready.
The President will be leaving for Jerusalem first thing in the morning.
Will Zahavy be attending the funeral? He's afraid his presence will provoke a reaction from the Palestinian hard-liners.
In preparation for the funeral, we're deploying more of our own peacekeeping troops as a precaution here and here.
How long until they're in position? The regional commander said six hours.
Any other activity? No.
The Israelis have halted their tanks for now.
What's that? We have what appears to be another assassination.
Kazakhstan.
Who? The President.
Standard turmoil in the region.
Issetov? That's right.
I want you to tell me everything you can about the assassin as soon as you possible.
Somebody get our ambassador to Kazakhstan and I want the region office to UNOCAL on the phone now.
Before we recognize tonight's Kennedy Center Board, I'd like to take a moment.
Chairman Farad was my friend.
Together, with Israeli Prime Minister Zahavy, we pursued the challenge of a brave and just peace.
Our goal was a better future for the children.
But old enemies die hard and last night hatred and fear took our friend in a senseless act of cowardice.
How then should we respond to such violence and despair? I know that Chairman Farad would want us to take a moment to remember those innocent victims who perished with him.
They were seven students studying at universities in Jerusalem.
And their names are: Salim Saida, age 19, Palestinian; Akiva Eshkol, age 23, Israeli To be a person of faith is to have the world challenge that faith.
Was the universe designed by God? That's up to everyone in this country to decide for themselves because the framers of our Constitution believed that if the people were to be sovereign and belong to different religions at the same time then our official religion would have to be no religion at all.
It was a bold experiment then, as it is now.
It wasn't meant to make us comfortable.
It was meant to make us free.
You got anything? Nothing new.
Have you talked to Agent Frost? He's no one's been able to track him down.
He's missing? I can't say that yet.
He'll turn up by morning.
You should go home.
We both should.
I'm leaving soon.
I'll let you know if anything happens.
Good evening.
You would not believe the day I've had.
I'd tell you about it if I could talk about it, but a bunch of stuff happened today that I can't talk about so I guess I should stop talking about it.
But the truth is I'm so strung out and wired on caffeine I can't even tell what room I'm in.
C.
J.
Let's open that bottle of champagne you gave me for my birthday.
Maybe the alcohol will balance out the caffeine.
C.
J.
, the leak Let's have a toast.
One final toast before I leave the White House for my perp walk in leg irons.
Here, you open it.
I'll put your eye out.
C.
J.
Fine, I'll open it.
But just, uh, listen to what I have to say.
Leo's in trouble.
I know.
You do? I got a lawyer.
What? I got a lawyer.
I did it.