The old Europe.
Your father went to the U.N., Mr. President...
...and it took him six months, as I remember, but he got his resolution.
And he got Congress too.
My gosh, Colin, you're the finest military man in this room...
...we all know that.
But don't you think the Gulf War days are long gone?
Do we really need six months and half a million men...
...to knock off a tin-pot dictator with a ragtag army?
You're right, Don, I am a military man.
And you more than anyone in this room...
...learned the lessons of Vietnam.
Now, I think we're all adults in this room...
...and we recognize that 9l11, no matter how horrific it was...
...and it was...
...was also an opportunity this time for us to get it right.
Drain the swamp.
Sweep up all the bad guys in one big move.
Things related and not.
Otherwise, sir, they will be back.
I thought we just did that in Afghanistan.
We keep the focus on sweeping up Bin Laden.
Goodness gracious, if you want to call Afghanistan a war, Colin.
You know there were no real targets to bomb there.
- It was an exercise. - In any case...
...if we don't act, all of us will be out of here in 2004.
And that's the bottom line.
So this is all about politics, Karl?
I'm confused as to what you're doing in this room.
Okay, let's stay on message here.
Look, Genius Boy is just here to listen, not talk.
You see, sir...
...what I'm pressing for here...
...is why?
Why are we doing this?
Why Iraq?
- Why now? - We discussed that already, Colin.
We had America protected September 11 th.
That is, if people had been doing their jobs right.
But we blew it.
And now instead of taking down these 10,000 al Qaeda lunatics...
...in the mountains with special operations...
...we're way outside of the box on this thing.
Why aren't we trusting the system?
Why have we veered off to this place...
...where we accept without debate that a preemptive strike on Iraq...
...can defeat terrorism better than police action...
...or intel agencies that share information?
I just don't get it, Mr. President, I don't. Because I am a soldier.
And I'd be mighty sure before I put young American lives at risk.
- Here we are... - Okay, Secretary Powell, come on.
Let me finish.
Here we are...
...changing the whole way we do business...
...in response to a small but dedicated enemy hiding out in caves and jungles.
- Are we losing our perspective here? - We changed our perspective.
The Trade Center was bombed in '93.
We had a huge attack on Oklahoma in '95.
And those who did it are in jail or dead.
Big difference.
Oklahoma terrorists didn't have anthrax or nukes.
Colin...
...I swear, you're beginning to sound like Neville Chamberlain.
Oh, don't patronize me, Mr. Five Deferments.
You save that for speeches to veterans. Neville Chamberlain.
You think, really...
You think, with all your diplomatic bullshit...
...that you can appease Islamic fascists, who are as nuts as Hitler.
You wanna know what I see, Mr. President?
I see a world where in about 25 years...
...America's reserves are gone.
Done.
Demand is up...
...30, 40 percent.
And we have two oceans blocking us from the world reserves.
You think we're gonna have allies then?
We're at 5 percent of the world's population.
We use 25 percent of its energy.
You think Russia and China are gonna help us out...
...when they need those resources themselves?
Eighty percent of the world's future energy reserves...
...are right here in Eurasia, where the prize ultimately lies.
Oil, gas, water.
Iraq alone, 10 percent of the world's reserves...
...60 of 80 oil fields are still undeveloped.
And probably another 100 billion gallons in their western desert.
- They are floating in a sea of oil. - We have bases...
...in more than 120 countries all over the world.
If we include Iraq, look what happens.
We are at the fertile choke point of civilization.
The Tigris-Euphrates, the biblical cradle.
We drain this swamp, like Don says.
We rebuild it.
We develop its resources to the maximum.
They own it, we run it.
Pipelines, sea lanes, their resources finance the reconstruction.
A nexus of power that won't be broken in our lifetime.
If we stick to the plan.
So, what is our real exit strategy on Iraq, Dick?
There is no exit.
We stay.
Spoken like a true oilman.
You were part of the plan, Colin, back in the '90s.
You backed our dominance in weaponry, space, cyber, electronic.
You agreed that we would never allow...
...another military-economic rival to emerge against us again.
- I don't understand... - Turning weapons loose...
...on terrorists is like trying to hit an ant with an elephant gun.
We invoke preemption... Preventive war, you call it.
The right to use nukes whenever we see fit.
- and I guarantee you, Paul, we will be in a forever war everywhere.
Three, four wars at a time.
That's not new world order, that's a world gone mad.
There's got to be some global cooperation here.
No one's against cooperation, Colin, you know that.
- As long as we're calling the shots. - Which gets us back to reality.
Lest we forget...
...where do you see a lack of American presence?
Right in the heart of it all.
What's missing?
Iran.
The mother lode.
Third largest oil reserve in the world.
Forty percent of the world's oil...
...goes right through here, the Strait of Hormuz.
Control Iran, control Eurasia, control the world.
Empire.
Real empire.
Nobody will fuck with us again.
It's big, Vice. You know, big thoughts.
But you go out here and you scare people when you talk like that.
The working Joe's not thinking about oil.
We're talking 9l11 terrorists...
...WMDs.
We're talking freedom and democracy.
We're talking Axis of Evil.
Sir...
...you have the touch, not I.
You know, when I was coming up...
...it was a dangerous world.
But we knew exactly who the "they" were.
We knew it was us versus them, and it was clear who "them" was.
Today...
...we're not so sure who the "they" are, but we know they're there.
Now, I'm not gonna negotiate with myself.
I'm a gut player, always have been.
And I am just so bone-tired of this Saddam.
He's always misunderestimated me.
I don't want our soldiers invading in that desert heat.
We have got to get this war going before summer, Rummy.
You say go now, sir, and Tommy can start mobilizing normally.
We could have 300,000 troops in the Gulf...
...by early January without creating a stir.
I want you to keep a tight lid on it, Rummy.
For the record, this is against the spirit of the U.N. resolution.
We agreed with our allies to let the inspectors do their jobs.
As Yogi Berra said, "Déjà vu all over again."
Colin, you know what a burn card is?
No, sir.
Someday I gotta teach you how to play some Texas Hold 'Em.
You keep selling our friends at the U. N...
...but whatever they say, in the end, the final decision is mine.
Yes, sir.
Now, are you gonna be with us on this, Colin, right?
- I'm with you, sir. - Good.
All right, gentlemen, it's a great meeting.
Best yet.
Let's close this out.
Well, you've done a heck of a job, son.
Even though I traded Sammy Sosa?
We all make mistakes.
Center field. This is my favorite spot in the world, Poppy.
You know, whenever things get rough, when I need to clear my head...
...I just come out here. It just makes me feel at peace.
Right now, I wish I had a spot like this.
Not the White House lawn.
This guy Saddam's really put a burr under your saddle, I guess?
Saddam, what I call him now.
If you emphasize the first syllable...
...it means in Arabic, "the little boy who shines old men's shoes."
Well, he's one shoe-shining piece of crap, all right.
He gassed his own people, the Kurds...
...invades Kuwait.
It's time to back him down and take him out, Poppy.
You know, like you done Noriega.
Well, you know...
...l've always believed in leaving personal feelings out of politics...
...but Saddam, this can't stand.
I'm not gonna let that little dictator control...
...one quarter of the civilized world's oil.
I got a feeling about this.
How I handle it...
...one way or another, is gonna determine my legacy as president.
We don't wanna have another draw, another Vietnam.
Sloppy ending.
It's critical I make the right call.
For myself.
For the world.
Well, you will, Poppy.
I'm sure.
You know, just don't think about it too much...
...because it just screws you all up.
Sorry to hear about Selig screwing you.
No.
I was a dang fool thinking he'd ever make me commissioner.
He was just jerking my chain, keeping the job warm for himself.
You own a baseball team.
Spare yourself the headache.
It may be better you stay out of the barrel.
What do you mean?
Just better.
So how's Jeb?
You know, I think your brother's actually gonna be governor of Florida.
- I really do. - You don't say.
He's always had that ambition.
Oh, who knows these things.
But that kid could...
Well, one day...
...he could even be president.
Gotta be getting back.
Nice seeing you, son.
You keep it up.
And I'll throw out that first ball when you need me.
In facing down Saddam Hussein...
... President Bush has rewritten the book on crisis management.
The temporary cease-fire would become formal in 48 hours...
... if Iraq releases all POWs and Kuwaiti detainees.
For all intents and purposes, Operation Desert Storm has ended.
A smashing victory for the Allies.
A crushing and embarrassing defeat for Iraq.
The Iraqi POWs march with their hands up...
... trudging past burning oil fields and abandoned defensive positions.
Gentlemen, well done.
Dick, could you and Colin stay?
Congratulations, general.
Good job.
A hundred hours, my gosh.
I guess we finally kicked that Vietnam syndrome.
It makes you wanna go all the way to Baghdad, doesn't it?
Probably get there in two days.
But to be an occupying power in an Arab land...
...the coalition would fall apart.
We'd be out there all alone. Mission creep.
Going after Saddam, we'd turn him into a hero.
That's not our job.
And how many Americans is Iraq worth?
You got an election in November.
No.
Gone far enough.
Nice job, fellas.
Cleanest war in history.
Proud of you.
This is the proudest day of my presidency.
Governor Clinton is now President-Elect Bill Clinton.
He has won this presidential race...
... along with his running mate, Senator Al Gore.
In spite of his overwhelming victory in Iraq...
... the people did not return George Bush to the White House.
A stunning reversal of fortune for an aristocrat of politics...
... whose long career was overshadowed by a bad economy...
... a third-party candidate, Ross Perot, and a secret war in Nicaragua.
All of which may have combined to undo...
The best person didn't win tonight.
The best man did not win, George.
He's so beneath you.
He doesn't deserve to be president.
And he wouldn't be if it wasn't for the damn media.
You were a great president, Poppy.
Great president.
I gave it all I could.
I thought the war would have carried us.
Well...
...if you just would've clobbered the son of a bitch, you know?
- What? - You know, I mean...
...gone all the way to Baghdad. Cleaned his clock.
Has he been imbibing something I don't...?
Don't start. Don't start that. I'm talking about decisiveness.
Finishing. Everything I've been told.
Okay, that's it. You can stop right now. Just zip it up, and I mean it.
I won that war.
Of course you did, Poppy.
Of course you did.
Can you all leave, please, for a moment? Thank you.
- and this is the first indication of jubilation in Little Rock, Arkansas.
- What was that about? - Damned if I know.
I've never seen him like this before.
Well, it's hard, you know? He knows this is the end.
You know what? If he would've listened to me, he'd have pulverized Clinton.
I mean, I wish he had more of Mom in him because he's weak in spirit.
That's the difference maker. He doesn't believe like I believe.
That is not what this is about.
It's his health, all the medications he's taking.
He's just tired, and he's old.
I can't watch him like this.
You know, it hurts too damn much to lose.
I'd never let this happen to me. Never.
Governor of Texas?
You must be joking.
No, I'm dead serious.
Well, how are you gonna beat Ann Richards? She's way too popular.
Look, Ann Richards is way too liberal for Texas.
Karl's done the polls. He says I can beat her.
I'm gonna make Miss Big-Mouth-Big-Hair...
...pay for the things she said about Poppy.
Leave it alone.
Besides, I won that campaign.
What's at issue...? This isn't fair to Jeb.
He's already running for governor of Florida.
- One Bush at a time, son. - I'm not looking to steal his heat.
How do you expect us to go campaigning for both of you?
I'm not asking you to.
Laura, how do you feel about all of this, truthfully?
W knows how I feel.
Look, you don't understand. I've already made up my mind.
So you're not asking us, you're telling us.
The fact is, you can't win.
Why do you say that?
Because you're too much like me.
You're loud and you got a short fuse.
Now, Jeb is like your father.
He thinks before he speaks.
He's got his feet on the ground.
- Barb, don't be so hard on him. - Well, he knows it's the truth.
I'm not gonna say something I'm liable to regret here.
Son, just consider holding off until '98.
You won't have Richards to contend with.
We'll be able to give you our undivided support.
No, no, I get it. I get it.
You want Jeb to get elected before me.
Come off it. It's a matter of practicality, of timing.
I want you both to have what you want, what you deserve.
Well, I'm running this time, Poppy.
You hear me?
I'm running now.
Here they come. They'll be bringing the heat.
I know, don't swing at anything I can't hit.
Mr. Bush, you didn't talk much about education.
What are your plans for reform?
Well, I'm gonna deregulate school districts...
...so that teachers and administrators...
...can develop programs that best fit their kids.
How are you proposing to measure students' progress?
Well, we need to make a wholesale effort against racial profiling...
...which is illiterate children.
You need to teach a child to read...
...then he or her will be able to pass a literacy test.
We're in the very early stages of developing our program.
How do you plan to change the school finance formula?
I for one will not stand for the subsidation of failure.
How do you know if you don't measure up...
...if you have a system that simply suckles them through?
What about our failed schools?
- Think the state needs to take over? - More government's not the answer.
We must have the attitude that every child in America...
...regardless of where they're raised, can learn.
You know, rarely is the question asked:
"Is our children learning?"
Okay, fellas, that's it. We'll see you at the next campaign stop.
- Mr. Bush. Mr. Bush. Mr. Bush. - No more. Adiós. Adiós. Adiós.
"Suckles"?
Look, you're the son of a president.
You graduated Yale.
You went to Harvard, got a business degree.
If you can't stand in front of those guys for two minutes...
...and come up with one plausible answer...
...then what the hell are we running for governor for?
Just tell me what to do. Whatever it takes.
Look, if I need to read the whole damn Constitution, I'll learn it.
Okay, four food groups.
Crime, education, tort reform, welfare.
And if they ask you what time of day it is, what do you say?
We must teach our children to read.
What about welfare?
We must hold the fathers and the unwed mothers accountable.
- Because we love babies. - Because we love babies.
Crime?
End early release and all paroles for rapists and child molesters.
Citizens got the right to carry a handgun for self-protection.
My opponent disagrees about that.
But Texas got the highest rate of murders in the country.
And still Miss Richards' hair is in the clouds.
She doesn't believe the citizens got to protect themselves.
If you believe that, vote for my opponent.
Okay, so, what about that swagger of yours?
- In Texas, we call that walking. - Drinking, drugs, your past?
It was a mistake. I was young. That's all I'm gonna say about that.
I don't wanna give your 14-year-old child the excuse to say:
"If old Governor Bush done it, maybe I can do it too."
- Hey, George. - Hey, girls. How are you?
- Good luck on your campaign. - Thank you.
- Hope you win. - Vote for me, don't forget.
Yes, sir.
What do you say to, "George W. Bush is a rich, spoiled jerk.
His wealth was produced by stock swaps...
...and bailouts arranged by his daddy"?
Ann Richards can badmouth me all she wants.
I've created successful small businesses.
I run a Major League baseball team.
I'm in touch with real people in Texas.
I work with them every day at the ball park.
Talk to the fans, hot dog vendors. Get to know what they think.
Because truly, deep down inside...
...you know I'm a guy like you, a guy you can trust.
Fabulous. Fabulous, W.
What it all comes down to...
...is who Joe Voter wants to sit down and have a beer with.
And guess who that is.
Just remember to make mine nonalcoholic.
So anything about the issues, you come to me first.
I'll tell you what to say.
You're not gonna tell me what to say, Karl.
I'm gonna tell you what I want. You're the word man.
This campaign starts and ends with me.
You got it, W. I'm just a little fairy...
...putting down a little magic dust for you.
And, Karl...
...this time I'm gonna out-Texas Texas.
Your father's here to see you, governor.
Poppy's here right now?
- All right, send him in, Evie. - Governor.
Yeah. You like that, don't you?
Put your pants on.
- How are you, son? - Hey, Poppy, sorry.
Got your speech ready?
Yeah, I was just getting ready to go over it again.
This is a moment you'll never forget...
...being inaugurated for the first time.
Try and take a photograph in your mind...
...so you can savor it when the times get tough...
...as they always do.
All right, well, I'll try and do that.
Yeah, I sure am glad that Jeb's coming.
I'm gonna acknowledge him in my speech.
It's been hard on him, the loss.
I wish I could've been at his inauguration too.
It would've been something.
Why do you just feel bad about Jeb?
Why don't you feel good about me?
Well, of course I do.
And...
I brought you these.
They were your grandfather's.
The only real thing he ever gave me.
Wear them well.
See you at the inauguration, son.
Well, what did he have to say?
"These cufflinks are my most treasured possession.
My father, Prescott, gave them to me right after I came back from the war.
They were mine. Now they are yours.
I'm sure you will make a fine governor."
It's nice, W.
You think he might ever be able to say something direct to me...
...instead of using these notes? - This is his way.
- You think he might be happy with me? - Hon, he is.
Let me help you.
Well, Jebby, that's just great.
Keep Florida warm. You say hi to Columba and the kids for me.
Governor, the reverend.
Yeah, we'll talk later.
- Earle. - Governor.
- Hey, thanks a bunch for coming. - Yeah.
Hey, go ahead, take a seat. Make yourself comfortable.
- Hey, how's the show coming along? - Couldn't be better.
Over 100 million Americans are watching the Earle Hudd Hour...
...right here in North America. - Fabulous.
You don't say. That's great. That's dandy, Earle.
So, listen...
...I asked you here today to discuss something of great importance.
I've heard the call.
Well, I know.
Don't forget, I've been the witness to the growth in your faith.
No, that's not what I mean.
I mean, I've heard the call.
And I believe that God wants me to run for president.
- Truly? - I can't explain it.
But I think that something is gonna happen.
And at that time, my country is gonna need me.
And, you know, I think it's part of a divine plan.
Well, a man don't hear the call, governor...
...unless the good Lord wants him to.
The truth is I don't wanna run.
I mean, it's like Moses. I mean, he wasn't a very good speaker.
But finally, he just knew.
My father was president, the whole family was affected by it.
I know the price.
I'd be happy just buying my fishing lures at Wal-Mart.
And if I run for president, I know my life will never be the same.
But I feel that God wants me to do this, Earle.
And I must do it.
I must.
Well, then, you must, son.
- I'd like to pray over it. - Yeah, thank you.
Dear Lord...
...we pray that you will watch over...
...and always shine your light on our humble servant George W. Bush.
In Jesus' name.
Amen.
Last draft. I promise.
Yellowcake again. I've read how many of these?
I'm burned out. I've gotta get some sack time. Have my guy check it out.
We finally got it in.
Page eight. Uranium in Africa.
Took long enough.
British Government has learned that Saddam Hussein...
...recently sought significant quantities of uranium in Africa.
Our intelligence sources tells us...
...that he has attempted to purchase high-strength aluminum tubes...
... suitable for nuclear-weapons production.
Evidence from intelligence sources...
... and secret communications from people now in custody...
...reveal that Saddam Hussein...
...aids and protects terrorists.
Including members of al Qaeda.
Imagine those 19 hijackers...
... with other weapons and other plans...
... this time armed by Saddam Hussein.
It would take one bomb, one canister...
... one crate slipped into this country...
... to bring a day of horror like none we have ever known.
Facing clear evidence of peril...
... we cannot wait for the final proof...
... the smoking gun that can come in the form of a mushroom cloud.
The liberty we prize is not America's gift to the world.
It is God's gift to humanity.
Every nation and every region has a decision to make.
Either you're with us or you're with the terrorists.
May he guide us now.
And may God continue to bless the United States of America.
Why don't you take your sleeping pill?
Clouds coming in.
Looks like rain.
Come on.
You're not sitting here at 3 a.m. thinking about the weather.
Remind me to call the electrician in the morning.
There's a light out on the path below.
Why don't you call your son and tell him what's on your mind...
...what's keeping you awake all night?
I'm worried about him.
Really worried.
I can't talk to him.
Well, he's not gonna listen to me.
He takes criticism worse than I do.
He's the president now.
His decision to make.
Well...
...you better do something.
This is eating away at you.
I'll do something.
"An attack on Iraq at this time...
...would seriously jeopardize the global counterterrorist campaign...
...we have undertaken. And would result...
...in a serious degradation in international cooperation with us...
...against terrorism."
Damn Brent Scowcroft.
He wouldn't be doing this unless my father approved it.
You know, Poppy's good friend.
These 1980 guys trying to tell me what to do...
...when they don't know what I know.
Just when we want the U.N. and the Democrats in this.
I will call Brent right now.
He can't even talk to me directly like a man.
Writing letters. I don't wanna get anything like this again.
I will let Brent know that from here on out, he's persona non grata.
This is my war, not his.
I will not renegotiate this.
Mr. President.
Has your father ever personally offered you advice on Iraq?
No, I haven't asked. I don't need to.
Wrong father to appeal to in terms of strength.
You know, there's a higher father I appeal to.
Amen.
Protestors came by the thousands...
... filling block after block around the United Nations to make a single...
These are the largest anti-war demonstrations ever seen in history.
Some of our allies were very much against this operation.
Bush, Bush.
Estimates of 10 to 15 million protestors across the planet...
... protesting America's pro-war policies in Iraq.
Tens of thousands demonstrating all over the world...
So I suppose the key here, George, is to go back to the U.N.
Tony, I'm with you, but I'm flat out of wrestling moves with these U.N. types.
Even Powell doesn't think we can get it through.
Believe me, I am twisting my own set of arms at the U.N.
- All right. - But I still think...
...France, Germany, Russia, we can make a deal.
Well, our new thinking is shaping on that.
- Yeah. - Which is?
Punish France. Ignore Germany.
Forgive Russia.
Yes, but with time, just a few months, much will become clearer.
No, we can't do that, Tony.
We run out of time. The start date for the war is penciled in. March 10.
March 10th.
George, the inspectors haven't found anything yet.
How can we justify a preemptive attack?
Well, no WMDs yet, Tony, but we know they got them.
- Absolutely. - So it just might come down to us...
...having to provoke the son of a bitch.
Well, what do you have in mind?
We were thinking of painting one of our U-2 recon planes in U.N. colors...
...and fly it over Iraq.
Now, if Saddam takes the bait, which, knowing him, he will...
Well, when he fires on it, he'll be in breach of 1441.
That would sure justify retaliation.
Well, it's a novel idea.
Let's hope it doesn't come to that.
Tony...
...come the U.N. second resolution or not...
...we're going to war on this.
Are you?
I do not share your spirit for why we need war.
War is not inevitable.
There are alternative ways to reach goals.
I mean, it's a question of morality, George.
Well, Jacques, St. Augustine wrote about that.
Said there was such a thing as just war.
Listen, Jacques, I'm committed to our relationship.
- So am I. - I'm responsible for...
...hugging the families of those who have lost lives in war...
...and I view an armed Saddam as a direct threat to the American people.
Well, if there is a war, we'll work together on the reconstruction.
We will all contribute.
Okay, Jacques.
Then...
...that's it. You have a good night now.
Good night, George.
I'd love to stuff some freedom fries right down that frog's throat.
- Yeah. - Thinks he can have it both ways.
Ripping off their oil...
...and then taking the high horse and claiming the low road.
Sir, don't lose any sleep over the French. He was never onboard.
They got him on 60 Minutes next week calling for 30 days for the inspectors.
Thirty days?
Next chance that comes up, remind me to veto something French...
...because I'd be damn glad to.
What about Putin? Get him on the phone.
All right.
Might as well get stabbed in the back all at once.
Like that guy in Rome.
- teaspoonful of dry anthrax in an envelope...
... shut down the United States Senate in the fall of 2001.
This forced several hundred people...
... to undergo emergency medical treatment...
... killed two postal workers...
... just from the amount of just about this quantity.
Iraq declared 8500 liters of anthrax.
My man, Balloon Foot, came through in the end, didn't he?
- even one teaspoonful of this deadly material.
You know, he's been a nudge from the beginning...
...but this is gonna seal the deal.
It's the best speech he's ever given.
Can you believe that, Vice?
Comrade Pooty-Poot, with all the problems he's got in Chechnya...
...he's got the balls to feel bad for me.
It's all because of that damn Kraut, Schröder.
Used me as a piñata to get re-elected.
I won't forget that.
Well, at least we got Italy, Australia...
...the Czechs, Spain, Poland, South Korea...
...and, you know, the Brits.
- Romania, Slovenia, Bulgaria. - Yeah.
Japan is sending observers.
And let's not forget the 90 Mongolian troops.
I hear they're damn fine wrestlers too.
We got more than 40 countries in this coalition, right?
Yeah, 49, sir, but most of them do not have militaries.
Some are sending equipment.
- Morocco is sending monkeys. - Monkeys?
Monkeys that are trained to locate and set off minefields, yeah.
That's a good idea.
- Okay, Tommy's standing by in Qatar. - Right.
Hey, Tommy. How you doing over there?
Hot as a goat's asshole, sir.
What's the latest plan, Tom?
Well, we should have 140,000 in the region any day now.
Seventy eight thousand of them ground forces.
Another 50,000 are on the way.
We'll have a total force level of 208,000 on the ground.
That's great. So you got all you need to go?
Yes, sir.
Now, sir, we have identified over 24 high-value targets.
But this could result in civilian deaths.
I'm no target picker, Tommy, but I'm not Clinton either.
I don't wanna fire no $2 million missile at a $ 10 empty tent, and hit a camel.
Not gonna happen on my watch, sir.
Be sure not to hit any schools or hospitals.
Well, I read you on the hospitals. Any schools we'll hit at night.
All right, what about projected casualties?
Well, I think now, more in the neighborhood of several hundred.
No more than a thousand.
Remember, Americans don't like to see dead boys on their television sets.
Yes, death tends to give war a depressing image.
We can issue a blackout on any coverage of soldiers in caskets.
The same thing should apply to military funerals.
Oh, yeah, that's good, Vice.
Well...
...it's been a long haul, gentlemen, ladies.
I don't care what happens now...
...how many damn votes we do or don't get in the U.N.
Come Monday morning, 10 a. m...
...l'm giving Saddam and his two sons 48 hours to get out of Dodge, okay?
Indeed.
All right.
Everybody in agreement then?
- Yes, sir. - Yes, sir.
All right.
May God bless the troops.
May God bless America.
All right, way to go. This is like the fall of the Berlin Wall.
I've got goose bumps.
Not one CBW attack. Not one Scud. No surprises.
Except they're not surrendering.
Thousands are taking off their uniforms and going home.
Well, good. I'll bet Saddam's running from palace to palace...
...trying to find his passports.
Don't say I was wrong on this one, Colin.
We did it, sir. Congratulations.
We sure did, Colin.
- Congratulations. - Good to see you smiling.
What do you mean we, kemosabe?
Hey, good job.
- Hey. - Good job, sir. Good job.
I remember you once agreeing...
...that going all the way to Baghdad would be a mistake.
I think you made a bigger boo-boo, Colin.
You could've been president.
Fuck you.
This is for those who doubted I won the election.
- Yes, sir. - And who doubted my judgment.
So dropping a rope around its neck, that didn't bring it down.
They took an ax to the base of the statue, that didn't bring it down.
And this is finally what did.
Yeah. We got the son of a bitch. How about that?
Maybe he called it right after all.
Well, they got the statue...
...but now they gotta catch the man.
Live from New York City, this is SpinBall...
... with Jack Hawk and Candice Black.
What did you think of that? That was spectacular.
Jack, it's really stunning.
I mean, he's landing on a boat at 150 miles per hour.
I can't think of a Democrat that would do that.
Exactly. Imagine Kerry.
Kerry would never be able to pull this off.
This is the guy who threw down someone else's Vietnam medals.
George Bush, on the other hand, a man's man.
Women love that. We're buying into that, and perception is reality.
George Bush looks for real, all right.
He didn't fight in the war, but he looks like he did.
And women love President Bush for this very reason.
And women love this war. It's simple.
My fellow Americans...
...major combat operations in Iraq has ended.
In the battle of Iraq...
...the United States and our allies have prevailed.
In the images of celebrating Iraqis...
...we have seen the ageless appeal of human freedom.
Everywhere that freedom steers, let tyrants fear.
That is the Almighty's gift to every man and woman in this world.
May God bless you all.
And may God continue to bless America.
Roadside bombs killed six U.S. soldiers today...
... in separate attacks in Fallujah and Baghdad.
To date, 853 American soldiers have been killed in Iraq.
The bombing continues a recent pattern of insurgency...
... directed at American troops, but also the Iraqi civilian population...
... which is divided between Shiite and Sunni religious affiliations.
The truck bomb killed at least 17...
... and wounded over 100 at the U.N. headquarters in Baghdad.
The blast also killed U.N. Ambassador Sergio de Mello...
... who appears to have been the main target.
Back up. Back up.
Former members of the Iraqi army...
... are protesting the dissolution of the armed forces.
They have guns but no food to feed their families.
Some have threatened they will resort to suicide attacks...
... if their grievances are not addressed.
The Pentagon told me we'd be down to 25 to 30,000 troops by August.
Is that anywhere near possible now?
Well, I'm afraid, Mr. President, we're in for a longer haul than we thought.
Then where the hell are the WMDs at?
Well, we control the country now, sir, so I'm sure we're gonna find them.
All right, tell me this.
Whose job is it to find these damn weapons?
Bremer, I mean, you're running the whole show here, right?
- Well? - That's not within my purview, sir.
I thought General Franks was taking the initiative there.
Tom, you're commander of the whole shebang...
That area was never part of my command responsibility, sir.
- There was a team assigned by the... - No, no. Who? Who's in charge?
Well, as per Secretary Rumsfeld's wishes, sir...
...most normal postop State Department functions, sir...
...were stripped from us and given to Defense.
Why wasn't I told?
What's Rummy say about this?
Cambone... I believe that it's Stephen Cambone's jurisdiction, sir.
Cam... What is that? Cam who? Cam who?
Well, he's undersecretary of defense for intelligence, Mr. President.
He reports to Secretary Rumsfeld.
Well, that's great.
I mean, that's just great.
Why the heck didn't anyone tell me this before, huh?
Mr. President, I wanna go back to Iraq.
Look, let me make this clear...
...since I've had some experience dealing with these matters.
My son has got the toughest position in the world.
He's the one who gets the intelligence briefings.
And as Americans...
...it's our duty to fully support his efforts...
...to bring freedom and democracy to the Middle East.
And as a father...
...l'll be damned if I'll listen to people...
...who are always trying to tear the boy down.
And you know what? They built him a set of metal legs...
...made him faster than what he used to be.
They make them that good these days.
You and I are gonna run together, son, soon as you get back on your feet.
I give you my promise, all right?
Okay?
Got him a shirt. Maybe you can give it to him when he wakes up.
I'd like...
...to stand up for you, sir.
No, you don't, sergeant.
No, I'm the one standing up for you.
Laura and I are looking forward to seeing you next trip.
- All right, now? - That's right.
All right, you hang in there.
Thank you.
David, good to see you.
- Mr. President. - So, what do you got for us?
You used to love pecan pie, Mr. President.
I've given up sweets since the start of the war, Rummy.
My personal sacrifice to show support for our troops.
The best pie I've ever tasted, Mr. President.
So, what you're telling me, David, comes down to nothing on nothing?
Frankly, we missed it...
...because Saddam pretended that he had the weapons.
It doesn't make sense.
Why would he risk his life and government by not coming clean?
Because I think...
...he didn't want his people to know he didn't have the weapons.
Part of his Superman image.
Afraid they'd cut his throat if they found out the truth.
You're saying this guy was running a full house off a pair?
Come on, that's just nuts.
He really thought you were bluffing. Right up to the end.
Me, bluff?
How could the CIA, all our intel people, completely muff this?
I told Mr. Tenet from the beginning...
...that things weren't panning out the way we thought they existed.
And your National Security advisers...
...should've got into this, gotten the details and vetted them for you.
Believe me, Dr. Kay...
...when I say we were getting thousands of reports...
...and not just from you or the CIA.
I don't see... I don't know that putting the blame on some...
Mr. President, I think we're being overly negative in a situation...
...where, indeed, we lack the metrics...
...to judge the overall success of the global war on terror.
My office sent to you spy satellite photos...
...that showed that WMDs could be hidden in caves...
...that you never responded to.
We analyzed those photos, Mr. Vice President...
...and they are actually trenches, watering holes for cattle.
Not caves.
That's not what my people told me.
Vice, you grew up in Wyoming.
You should damn well know cattle.
I mean, there you go. You fool me once, shame on you.
Now, fool me twice...
...and you can't get fooled again.
I'm sorry, Mr. President.
We thought he had WMDs.
But we were all wrong about him.
And I include myself.
Our system...
...the integrity of it...
...has broken down completely.
And I have never traded access for integrity.
And I am obligated to resign.
That was some shit sandwich he served for lunch.
Working on it. We can find someone who can deliver.
- I don't buy it. He had those weapons. - No doubt.
But now we shift the ground.
Keep the focus on freedom and democracy.
Rumsfeld is on another planet.
Sometimes I wonder. I think he's lost it.
- What about Iran? - Oh, yeah.
Bigtime uranium-enrichment program going on.
- We're on it. - Stay on it.
There's something there.
I can feel it.
Kansas State and Ohio State, a pair of top- 10 teams squared off...
... in the Fiesta Bowl. That was for the championship.
Krenzel, your MVP, four touchdowns passing.
Funny thing...
...Poppy once said.
I didn't appreciate it.
What was that, Geo?
Something about:
"Sometimes it's better to stay out of the barrel."
These lines here...
...seem like they just dug in overnight.
You're as handsome as ever, Geo.
Only makes you look more distinguished.
Your favorite play is coming to town. Why don't we get tickets?
Cats.
The Broadway company is going to be here.
You wanna go?
Cats?
That's something I'd stay up late for. Definitely.
I thought so.
You know, I don't get it.
All this psychobabble in the media.
I mean, all I wanted to do is make this a better and safer world...
...for everyone.
There's good and there's evil.
And you and I and the rest of the people in America know the difference.
That good ultimately wins out.
But you have to fight for it. You have to fight for it.
People have no idea how hard it is on us.
The sacrifices you've made.
Laura, I knew when I married you what you were made of.
That same bolt of lightning hit both of us.
For better or worse.
Mostly better.
Since the start of the war, though...
...I barely have time to run my three miles anymore.
My knees hurt.
I'm just off my pace.
It's been hard on me, Laura.
On top of everything else.
Well...
...someday the war will be over.
And we can have our lives back.
I'll get those tickets for next week.
- Poppy, what are you doing here? - I used to sit in this chair.
Opposite Baker.
Got him to help pull your ass out of the fire in Florida in 2000.
Don't forget that.
Come on. Let's go.
A little mano a mano.
- Bet you I can still whip your ass. - What?
Got to admit, I scared you back then. Still scare you, don't I?
I got a lot on my mind. I don't need this, Poppy. Not now.
Why you being so ornery?
Because you disappoint me, Junior.
Deeply disappoint me.
After all these years. Still?
- You're still with that? - No, no, no.
Not the girls or summer jobs anymore.
I dug myself out of the depths of hell to stand on my own two feet...
...make something of myself. And I did it on my own.
Think you did.
Yeah, well, you also wrecked it.
Wrecked. Wrecked what?
You've ruined it for us.
- What are you talking about? - The Bush name.
Get out of my office.
Two hundred years of work. For Jeb.
Get out.
With this fiasco.
Get out of my life.
And that's what it is.
A goddamn fiasco.
Get out!
George. George.
Are you all right?
Oh, Jesus.
Jesus, George.
There's been tough weeks in Iraq.
But our central commitment of the mission...
...is the transfer of sovereignty back to the Iraqi people.
Now, we've set a deadline for this to take place...
...three months from now.
June 30, 2004.
It's important that we meet that deadline, all right?
The only way we can win...
...is to leave before the job is done.
Yeah.
I'll now take questions.
- Mr. President. - Sir.
- Sir, sir. - Question, sir.
Yeah.
Miss China?
Mr. President, I know this is a tough question...
...but my viewers would really like to know.
What place do you think you'll have in history?
In history?
I don't know.
In history, we'll all be dead.
- Mr. President? - Yeah.
- Mr. President? - Yeah, John, there.
- Thank you, sir. Mr. President. - Yeah.
After 9l11, what would you say your biggest mistakes would be...
...and what lessons have you learned from them?
Now, I wish you would have given me...
...this written question beforehand, John...
...so I could prepare for it.
You know, I just...
John, I'm sure historians will say, "Gosh," you know.
"I wish he could've done better, you know, this way or that way."
Something will pop into my head here in the press conference...
...with all the pressure of trying to come up with an answer...
...but it hasn't yet.
You know, I hope...
I don't wanna sound like I haven't made no mistakes.
You know, I'm confident I have.
It's just, I haven't...
You know, you really put me on the spot here...
...and maybe I'm not...
...as quick on my feet as I should be in coming up with one.
Mr. President.
Not now, Ari. Not now. I'm busy.
We're locked into a dandy, 1- 1 here, bottom of the eighth, two outs...
... as Spencer stands in.
He's 3-for-3 on the night.
This is the first time he's come up with a man on base.
He hasn't had a chance to do damage.
He'd certainly love to do some here.
Monroe off of first. That was the starting pitcher by the way.
Jay Fletcher you just saw down in the bullpen.
Woodhouse is on deck.
Schwartz will follow if we get that far.
Chavez now from the stretch.
And the pitch to Monroe.
Swinging, there's a fly ball into right field.
Moving over.
He dives, he misses the ball.
Monroe rounds first. He heads for second.
And here comes Spencer around third going for home.
The relay to the plate is...
... not in time. And Texas takes the lead, 2 to 1.