Original subtitles

C.J.: "Why?" That's the right question.

Your bread and butter, huh, having the right questions.

DOCUMENTARIAN: Like having the right answers is yours.

Did we start?

Oh, don't mind them.

Right, right.

Why am I letting you tail me, is that what you're asking?

Yeah, I mean, I pitch,

but I'm always surprised when people accept.

Well, I'd seen your work.

Well, exactly.

And, um, you know,

I'm not expecting a free ride, I just,

I guess I thought your... your concept:

a day in the life--

a day in my life, is, uh...

You know what, before we get into it,

I want to reiterate the ground rules. Mm-hmm.

You want to document this, Chad.

Let me have that.

I want to be clear between you and me. Of course.

Your access is to me.

And your staff and your coworkers.

Yes, but if you're secretly hoping to have lots of time

with Senior Staff or in the Oval you picked the wrong gal,

'cause that's not what I do all day.

I can't let this project in any way

compromise my obligations

to the President of the United States.

That was bragging.

Let's get back to "Why?"

Well, I think... and this is an answer

that's too long-winded for you to use, but...

C.J.: After President Bartlet, my face is the one

most associated with this administration;

yet, for all its visibility, it's not well understood.

The public is used to seeing me at the podium,

confronting an adversarial press.

And there's a-a misconception

that I'm here to stymie reporters

or to mislead the public--

to spin or even hide the truth, when, in fact,

any good Press Secretary aims to do just the opposite.

( laughing ): This is a terrible idea.

I don't know what I was thinking.

This is-- let's... let's call this off.

The break-neck pace we live at.

The 24-hour news cycle.

Is this good for the country?

Is it inescapable?

How do we reflect, get perspective?

DOCUMENTARIAN: Since the advent of television,

in the middle of the 20th century,

the White House Press Secretary

has been no stranger to Americans.

But what about the private aspects of this office?

In the current media explosion,

how is this important job changing?

And to what extent does the individual serving

as Press Secretary, at any given moment,

define America's relationship with the White House?

To answer these questions, Access spent a day

with White House Press Secretary C.J. Cregg.

( press shouting questions )

C.J.: I see my job as making sure the press,

and, through them, the public is well-informed.

I tell them the truth.

That's my goal.

DOCUMENTARIAN: But our cameras captured a day that was anything but ordinary.

In the corridors of the West Wing,

Access became part of the modern media machine

that witnessed a harrowing and historic day

for the entire Bartlet Administration.

Tonight, Access goes "Behind the Podium,"

and we invite you to come with us.

DOCUMENTARIAN: This program was shot

over a two-day period, a year into

President Josiah Bartlet's second term in office.

On the first day, Access conducted private interviews

with Press Secretary C.J. Cregg,

as well as her staff and coworkers.

The following day, we spent over 12 hours

backstage in the West Wing of the White House

on the heels of the country's most visible spokesperson.

However, for national security purposes,

the release of this documentary was prohibited

until the administration left office.

Before 24-hour cable news and the Internet,

the White House Press Secretary

had a more controlled set of deadlines.

Today the press office feeds a media machine

with a round-the-clock appetite.

The following is the press schedule

for the President for Wednesday, March 31.

Note: This is for news planning only,

not for publication or release.

DOCUMENTARIAN: 66 million Americans subscribe to daily newspapers.

An average news Web site clocks 200 hits a second.

And from a camera positioned outside the northwest gate,

CNN's Channel 53 offers constant coverage

of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

I don't think it was ever a laid-back job.

( laughs )

But, um, I like to think that Jim Haggerty,

who was Eisenhower's Press Secretary,

kind of knew what they were getting into when they...

they started allowing press conferences to be recorded

and edited for broadcast for the first time.

Giving up control of your message,

putting that in the hands of news producers.

For those 33 minutes

Haggerty stood in the wings of the Indian Treaty Room.

I can only imagine what he was feeling.

I see we're trying a new experiment this morning.

I hope it doesn't prove to be a disturbing influence.

DOCUMENTARIAN: Before Eisenhower,

the White House press corps was on a short leash,

a controllable entity tucked in the President's pocket.

But in 1955,

the whir of cameras leveled the playing field

between the press and the Administration.

It represented a fundamental shift in power,

one still deeply felt by today's Press Secretary.

Good morning, Ms. Cregg.

ID, please? Hey, Lance. How you doing?

Can I get IDs from your crew? Sure.

My day starts at home

before 5:00, actually.

I scan all the major news outlets online

before I get dressed.

On my way in,

I try to stay off the phone.

My commute is the one time

I can be by myself, gather my thoughts.

How's Eden? Oh, she's great.

Good. Thanks for asking.

Clear. Very good. Thank you.

Have a great day. ( horn honking )

Thank you. Stay dry. Relax.

( phone rings )

White House Press Office.

C.J.: I arrive usually around 7:00, 7:30, depending.

And it is no cliche-- walking through those doors,

walking to go to work in the White House...

it never gets old.

Anyway, the morning starts with Senior Staff,

and then I have an informal gaggle with the press,

and then I meet with my staff and deputies

about the events of the day.

8:30 a.m.: The President meets

with House and Senate Leadership.

Cabinet Room, the White House. Pool at top.

Is anybody waiting for me?

Steve and Chris.

Is she chatty? Mm-hmm.

Oh, that's trouble.

Is he on the President's schedule?

Who? The FBI Director.

I don't think so.

CAROL: Steve's looking for a quote on tech sector growth.

C.J.: Steve, I beg mercy.

Don't make me talk tech growth before coffee.

Morning. I will say this though,

the tech sector represents six million American jobs.

That I can look up.

Hey, did your daughter hear anything?

Accepted at the Annenberg School and at Penn.

That's wonderful.

Isn't that great?

Fantastic. Thank you.

What have you got?

Well, you're not going to like it. I never expect to.

At last year's inaugural,

the First Lady wore a burgundy

Richard Tyler gown. Satin, off the shoulder.

I have a source that says

she accepted that gown as a gift from the designer.

The ethics rules are pretty clear.

Looks like I'll be rifling through

the First Lady's closet this afternoon.

You could get fired for that.

If I'm lucky.

Today's schedule and it's time.

C.J.: You can't afford to ignore what even seems trivial.

And I have a call into the First Lady's office.

The Minister's wife has a cold,

and she can't make it onto the podium.

C.J.: Remember the "Bartlet the Dog-Hater"?

That was... that was entirely my fault.

I-I made light of some question

about why the Bartlet's had never owned a dog,

and there were stories for weeks.

( press shouting questions )

It was a joke, folks.

It was my joke and it wasn't even funny.

The President does not dislike dogs.

In fact, the entire First Family have been long-time supporters

of the Humane Society, the ASPCA, to name a few.

DOCUMENTARIAN: Each morning the Press Secretary meets

with White House Senior Staff--

the President's closest advisors.

Scheduled at 7:30 a.m.,

this is the staff's first opportunity

to sift through the day's impending events and issues.

C.J.: Your day takes off.

You try to keep all the balls in the air.

You hope you don't drop the wrong one.

LEO: What else?

TOBY: Well, while the President

is greeting the Ugandan delegation,

which I guess is going to happen later,

I'll be, um, briefed

by the Surgeon General and the AIDS Policy Office.

They want to make modifications on PAPP.

Pan-African... ?

AIDS Prevention Policy.

TOBY: C.J. was someone I found during a senatorial campaign

in New York.

Uh, she was doing P.R. with a New York firm.

And, uh, we were probably 36 points behind

when we got C.J.,

and, uh, with her help,

I think we gained two or three points before we lost.

LEO: Anything else?

Any progress on The D day anniversary?

Did the FBI put something on the President's schedule?

LEO: Who's asking?

So far, just me. No.

JOSH: There have been times where, for her own sake,

in order to do her job

and for her to remain an honest source for reporters...

Well, you know, if the reporters see the Director here...

LEO: Yeah, he's just stopping by.

Okay.

JOSH: If she were to have information,

she would be ethically bound to share it,

and I don't want to put her in that position.

It is a tough job, and it only gets tougher.

Now, we have a fraternity of former Press Secretaries

and we get together.

It's like sort of a club.

I think there's maybe eight or so guys still kicking.

But we all know what it's like to stand out there,

taking those bullets, the shrapnel's flying,

while the rest of the President's staff

is back in the bunker, safe and sound--

where they should be.

You see, there's a... there's a loneliness in this job.

A certain frontline mentality

that your colleagues in the rear echelon

never completely understand.

DOCUMENTARIAN: The majority of the President's daily exposure to the press

is in photos-only pools.

Still-photographers and news correspondents

wait their turn for a prized 30 seconds

in the presence of the President.

The organized chaos of this flashbulb frenzy

is carefully wrangled by the Press Office--

a staff of 14 young aides and assistants under C.J. Cregg.

So, how did you end up working at the White House?

I was going to NYU, I was a journalism major,

and I was interested in politics.

And, um, the opportunity came up

through some friends of the family--

my father was in the military.

JACK SOSA: I actually went

to Howard University, here in DC.

I wrote for the paper, the student paper there.

And I was writing articles basically...

criticizing the Administration, really,

about their issues on gay issues and racial issues.

And I, on a lark, kind of wrote this letter to C.J.

asking if she'd see me,

because I wasn't getting really a response from them,

and I just thought I'd give it a shot.

And at the meeting, she actually offered me

this position that opened up.

All right, that's it. I'm serious.

10:30 a.m., the President meets

with Minister of Health Dr. Fabius...

M-A-K-A-B-U-A...

DOCUMENTARIAN: Then it's time for

the Press Secretary's daily meeting...

Good morning. Come on in.

...with her communications staff,

who finalize the day's press events

and try to anticipate the direction of the news.

Andrew? The Ugandans are on schedule.

Set-up's begun.

It's a little windy out there,

but I spoke to Audio

and they said the mics on the podiums will be fine.

The President is not taking questions at that.

It's just the prepared statement.

CAROL: They know that.

Let's hope he does.

ANDREW: Oh, they might ask you something

about Congresswoman Wyatt getting chummy

with the Palestinians.

Okay.

And we've had a change in the schedule.

( all groaning )

C.J.: You begin every day juggling

a very precise schedule

which completely,

completely falls apart midmorning, guaranteed.

You know, those Eagle Rangers--

they apparently got lost.

So we're going to have to postpone until 2:00.

CAROL: And there might be a weather thing.

We like the Rose Garden for this.

Yeah, but the satellite service says

there's still only a 30% chance of rain, so we might be fine.

Have you looked out the window?

Just keep an eye on it

and make sure there's a backup plan. What else?

ANDREW: If you're looking for me, I'll be with

Vatican advance all day,

discussing his Eminence's imminent arrival.

I think it's "His Holiness."

Good thing. Eminence's imminent.

Say that three times fast.

ALL: Eminence's imminent...

All right, all right, everybody, back to work.

Oh, who's following breaking crime news for me?

Me. Nothing coming in that suggests FBI involvement.

Just keeping Eric on his toes.

Everybody get back to work, go on.

CAROL: Okay, hold on one second.

C.J. Yeah.

I am here to articulate the President's message

and to honestly inform the press,

and through them, the public,

about what is happening on any given day.

They need you in Leo's now.

All of us?

Uh... they didn't say.

Okay, no big deal.

Okay.

I'm so sorry.

It's all right.

DOCUMENTARIAN: You think the Director

of the FBI will let us in this?

Hard to tell.

I gather he's a pretty independent guy.

He is.

And not afraid of the limelight.

So, typical morning so far?

Yes and no.

Because we're here?

I don't have to tell you about the Heisenberg Principle.

"The act of observing a phenomenon changes it."

Yes.

They... they signed the waivers.

I see you're filming. Yeah?

Uh, wait a minute.

Good work. Thank you.

It's nice to meet you.

Director Arnold, this is Todd Schumaker

and Agent Casper.

Director Arnold has a situation unfolding.

It's not for White House comment at this time.

In fact, we don't believe you'll be asked about it.

But the Director thought you should be made aware.

Oh, well, I appreciate that.

We have six federal agents surrounding a remote cabin

on Shaw Island, in the San Juans--

20 miles off the coast of Washington State.

A man named Jamal Othman, a naturalized Yemeni-American,

is inside with his family.

I'm sorry, is he being brought up on charges, or...?

Othman was under investigation for arms trafficking.

Our agents tracked him to his current location

where gunfire was exchanged 90 minutes ago.

Gunfire?

LEO: The President has been notified.

We'll let you know when it resolves.

I'm sorry, but why do you think

I'm not going to be asked questions about this?

JOSH: Shaw Island is only accessible

by ferry and by float plane.

If the story breaks,

it'll take news crews about 45 minutes, an hour and a half.

I've got a briefing in a half hour...

Our Seattle field office media rep is already setting up on site.

If it comes to it, he's prepared to handle the press from there.

But when you say gunfire, I mean...

Thank you, C.J., we'll... Thank you.

Thank you. All right. I'm just...

C.J.: I am here to articulate the President's message

and to honestly inform the press,

and through them the public,

on what is happening on any given day.

DOCUMENTARIAN: When we return...

C.J., they have it.

( reporters clamoring) ...breaking news explodes

a quiet day in the White House.

C.J.: Excuse me. I'm sorry...

( laughing ): You have to calm down, lady.

DOCUMENTARIAN: Early in the day, before the televised briefing,

reporters from the major outlets meet

for an informal gaggle

with the Press Secretary.

Why was the FBI Director here today?

He briefs the President twice a week.

Which he did yesterday,

so I thought maybe something was up. Let me find out.

But as far as you know?

He's briefing the President.

MAN: Is there a danger that the President's meeting

with Dr. Makabuya this morning...?

C.J.: Do I ever have to lie to the press?

Sometimes... lots of times I withhold information

for valid reasons, but you can't lie.

You run the risk of damaging your credibility

in front of a bunch of really smart people,

and if they stop trusting you, the system's broken.

DOCUMENTARIAN: Do you think she ever has to lie to the press?

Gosh, that's a tough question to answer

in front of the camera.

No, I don't think C.J. lies.

I think that the Press Secretary

must present what's best

for the White House and what's best for the country,

and sometimes those are hard decisions to make.

...not over. Speaking of which, we need to wrap up.

MAN: Am I skeptical of what she tells me? Absolutely.

It's my job to be skeptical.

Listen, the public relies on me to question their White House.

We get to do that in a free society.

You can say that's at the core of our freedom.

We get to question power.

Yeah, I don't... I don't buy into that.

I mean, the truth I know is an elusive idea,

but there is a time and a place for when certain facts

can be dispensed to the press and to the public.

DOCUMENTARIAN: What prepares a young girl,

born and raised in Dayton, Ohio,

for a position as spokesperson for the White House

and president of the United States?

C.J.: Well, I got a lot of drive from my father,

but it's actually my mother who I think about

almost every single day I'm here.

She was like a lot of women-- for better or for worse--

the communicator in our family;

the go-between.

She, um, she told us what-what my dad and Grandpa had said,

or she softened what they had meant to say.

She was a natural.

She would have understood this job.

The Pope will have the chair that we agreed upon...

C.J.: One of the hardest things to learn--

there are so many true crises,

so many lurking situations

that could be dangerous

for the President,

it's hard not to get caught up in the adrenaline

and make everything lethal.

...expressed interest

in allowing the President's audience

to be shared with the public.

What does that involve?

Shots of the President kissing his ring?

Are you uncomfortable asking for this adjustment?

Is the Pope Catholic?

Uh, excuse us.

I'm sorry, would you excuse us for just a moment please?

Excuse me.

He's going to chastise the President on birth control,

in front of members of the press...

Okay, you're not listening to me.

You need to go back in there and apologize.

If President Bartlet doesn't want

his private audience with the Pope to be public, it won't be.

If he does, that's a headache way over your pay grade, okay?

Okay.

C.J.: It's more than picking your battles...

marshaling your energy...

I understand.

He will just take that. Thank you.

It's about grace under fire.

All war metaphors.

I guess that's it--

being able to tell when it's a matter of life or death.

Where's your mother now?

She died.

Oh, I'm sorry.

That's okay.

How about your father?

He's uh... he's in Dayton, Ohio.

And how's he?

He's, um...

actually he's suffering from Alzheimer's.

I know that her dad is struggling, and I think

that's the perfect example.

I mean, in any other profession,

she would have the time...

She is knowingly

not doing what she needs to do to be with her father,

who is elderly and struggling,

because she has this particular

opportunity and position.

That's a very difficult choice to make.

I don't think she has...

I think she understands the choice she's making,

and I think it's also the choice

that her father would want her to make,

and I think she knows that.

But it makes it very difficult.

I think that she has such great instincts.

I think that she is so agile,

and her wit and her charm, and I think that people--

the press really respect her,

and so that she can keep a very strong

but friendly relationship with the press.

And I think that that's important.

I mean, what do I know, but this is my opinion.

You are interviewing me.

3:00? No.

3:15? No.

3:30? No.

3:45?

He has a conference call.

4:00?

He has an NEC thing at 4:00 that I can't push.

Well, if the Eagle Troops make it back to civilization,

we can move it to the Mural Room

and make it a spray.

What time?

4:30.

No.

MAN: Are you the sound guy?

I'm supposed to make sure the levels aren't too high.

Because last time there was some feedback,

and it's, um...

Do you need help with that?

You know why I'm asking?

Because he's about to head out...

( "Hail to The Chief" playing)

Correction--

he is heading out.

I told them to wait until...

Ay-yi, yi, yi, yi!

JOSH: Are you nervous about this?

Of course I'm nervous.

I've got him in front of cameras, and you're not...

What do you want to hear from me, that I'm panicked, too?

You know what?

The director said this was going

to be settled an hour ago.

Yesterday, Secretary Berry hill

characterized USAID funds

as a cash cow for Cuban dissidents...

Are you watching this?

He's taking... The Ugandans are...

CAROL: He's taking a question!

I know, I'm watching. He's taking a question.

Both Secretary Berry hill and myself are deeply troubled

by the repeated jailings of political dissidents in Cuba.

Oh, boy.

Especially as 15,000 desperate Cuban citizens continue

to risk life and limb to reach our shores every year.

America looks forward to the day when aid to Cuban citizens

will no longer be necessary.

( reporters clamoring )

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

He never says it exactly the way I would,

but that's the fun part.

C.J., they have it. Hold on.

I got to go.

Who has what?

Someone just called in to a radio drive-time

from Shaw Island.

Said federal agents set up a perimeter

on the property adjoining his.

Was gunfire mentioned?

Yeah.

Okay. Uh...

What do we do?

She's a great teacher,

is what she is.

And I think my job really is to protect her--

to help her protect the President.

I pulled the records you asked for from Casey Creek.

The investigation and the Commission report.

They're on your desk. It's that blue binder.

The FBI is predicting 45 minutes for cameras to be on the scene.

I'm betting there's aerial coverage in 20.

Hey, poker face.

When it breaks, try to look surprised.

Yeah.

REPORTER: We're showing you live images

from Shaw Island, Washington.

DOCUMENTARIAN: And, 23 minutes later,

MSNBC carried live helicopter coverage of Shaw Island.

REPORTER: ...Othman, a suspected arms trafficker

appears to have sequestered himself in a small cabin

in the northwest corner of the island.

There has been no official comment...

My guy says they'd absolutely

use the girl as decoy...

It's in the section on crisis management.

Use of deadly force...

REPORTER 2: ...where gunfire was exchanged two hours ago,

federal agents have cordoned off the area...

There's a misconception

that I'm here to stymie reporters,

or to mislead the public, to spin or even hide the truth,

when, in fact, any good press secretary

aims to do just the opposite.

So, the FBI Director?

I still don't have it, Greg.

MARK: C.J.?

Mark, I don't have anything yet.

No comment on the dog?

The dog? My guy's got a vet on Shaw Island

says the Othman family dog is in his office

with an FBI agent's bullet in it.

Is this gonna be another Casey Creek?

TV REPORTER: ...since the initial outburst this morning.

Again, state and local authorities have recently...

Off the record...

I hope not.

DOCUMENTARIAN: Five years earlier, the FBI's mishandling

of a standoff in Casey Creek, Kentucky,

which resulted in the shooting death of the suspect's wife,

was a tragedy that haunted the new President's first term.

But if the incident at Casey Creek was a tragedy,

the investigation that followed was considered by many

to be an extended farce.

Instead, the FBI will strictly adhere...

...the FBI director is still failing to cooperate,

and impeding their progress.

There were calls for the director to step down

and calls for the President to fire him.

The FBI... has confirmed...

the tragic loss of Brian Angeletti.

Casey Creek also haunted

President Bartlet's young press secretary.

C.J. Cregg's naiveté about the power of her podium

led many to question her abilities

to extract and deliver

the news of the nation.

It would be months before she regained

the confidence of the White House press corps

and the Bartlet Administration.

C. J., did the agent mistake Pamela Charlton for her husband

when they shot her in the doorway of her home?

I can't speak to specifics.

I can tell you the Director and the President

were in constant contact during the siege.

C.J., when you say "constant contact," is that...

The President was briefed daily,

several times a day, by the Attorney General

and the Director of the FBI.

So the President was aware that snipers

were given the green light to use deadly force?

I have no idea.

C.J., FBI Rules of Engagement specify

that no action may be taken

unless innocents are in imminent danger.

Did the director discuss a suspension of those rules

with the President?

No. Though apparently, some of the agents on the ground

thought the rules had been suspended.

REPORTERS: C.J.! C.J.!

C.J., so there was a breakdown in communication?

No, I didn't say that.

C.J., the rules are predicated

on the Constitution-- are you saying

the Director of the FBI suspended the Constitution?

C.J.: I see my job as making sure

the press and, through them, the public, is well-informed.

I tell them the truth.

That's my goal.

DOCUMENTARIAN: When we return-- will mistakes of the past

continue to plague the Bartlet Administration?

Now, we have no answer yet from the FBI

about who fired the first shots.

The FBI has cleared the airspace here

above Shaw Island,

and we are told that this is standard procedure.

And with reports of a family dog

allegedly shot by federal agents,

the question on everyone's mind today is,

is this another Casey Creek?

REPORTER: Are you saying the Director of the FBI...

JOSH: Wow, look how young you look.

C.J.: I wonder old I'm gonna look by this time tomorrow?

Don't answer that.

Look, I'm sorry we didn't brief you about the dog,

but it wasn't for comment anyway.

The Director wanted to keep you in the loop

to extend a show of faith...

It was sure as hell a show of something,

but if I'd been truly briefed instead of a PR gesture,

I could've told you this morning

this thing wasn't going away.

The Director was confident that the situation

would resolve. The Director's confidence

is starting to... Okay, did you need me?

Before you go to the podium, Leo wanted me to remind you...

Oh, yeah. I know my line.

I think you look better now.

I do, too. You do.

Even in the midst of brewing storms,

the press briefing is

a constant centerpiece of the day.

Normally, the press secretary's chance to combat speculation

and set the record straight.

Up until WW II, even the general public

could walk right up to the door

of the White House.

And the press office,

that was born under Teddy Roosevelt.

We knew our way around the West Wing.

We knew the staff,

the President.

There was no press room,

so we'd, uh,

hang out in the lobby and just wait

for the news of the day.

If Jim had anything for us, we'd gather around

with our notebooks.

And sometimes, he'd just come out and say,

"Nothing more today, fellas, go on home."

( chuckles softly ): That couldn't happen now.

C.J., did the FBI fire the first shot?

Just wait till the briefing, okay?-- Give me a break.

Is it "Awth-man" or "Oath-man"?

It's "Awth-man." It's "Oath-man."

Which one is it?

It's "Awth-man." It's "Oath-man"

You know, from time to time, I look in on a midday briefing,

and it all comes back.

My heart starts to race.

My stomach churns.

Then I mix myself a martini,

and I thank God

it is not me anymore.

REPORTERS: C.J.! C.J.!

With the current standoff on Shaw Island,

what would the President say

to those who fear a repeat of Casey Creek?

The President is aware of the situation,

and, like all of us, is hopeful

there will be a peaceful resolution soon.

Has he asked for an explanation

of why a dog was shot by agents at the scene?

The White House is tracking

the situation, but we do not interfere

with ongoing law enforcement efforts.

C.J.! Katie.

I'm just following up, there are reports

that Federal agents fired the first shots-- is this true?

I won't engage in speculation. But can't we safely say

that Jamal Othman didn't shoot his own dog? Again,

the White House doesn't comment on an ongoing operation.

C.J., was the FBI Director called

to the White House today by the President,

or did he come on his own?

The Director meets with the President twice a week.

So you don't know if they discussed

the standoff at that meeting? I'm sorry.

C.J., we're getting word the FBI is issuing

a statement. Yeah, I'm just...

getting that now.

I have a statement to read.

"Our negotiator established telephone contact

"with Mr. Othman inside the residence

"and has learned that one of the Othman children was injured

"in the initial exchange of gunfire.

"I have no particulars about the extent of the injury.

"Mr. Othman has agreed

"to allow an ambulance to approach the cabin

"and to let at least one other family member

"help evacuate the injured child

to receive medical treatment."

I have nothing further at this time.

( reporters clamoring )

( shouting continues )

REPORTER: ...FBI has cleared the airspace

here above Shaw Island, and we are told

that this is standard procedure.

REPORTER 2: An ambulance passed by us moments ago,

and, as you can see,

has stopped at the turnoff to the lane.

They're in the Oval.

C.J.: The breakneck pace we live at--

the 24-hour news cycle--

is this good for the country?

Is it inescapable?

How do we reflect, get perspective?

They're on a call. With the Director?

I can't interrupt.

NEWS ANCHOR: ...a frequent visitor of the area.

Othman, suspected of arms trafficking,

was tracked from his home in Torrance, California,

to a local cabin he rented with his family.

Reportedly, neighbors in Shaw began...

Okay.

TOBY: Well, there are times when, uh--

that's what's called the "close hold"--

when, uh, certain members of the staff...

uh, until, again, all the information is, uh,

is ready to go out,

some people aren't included.

I mean, that's happened to me.

It's happened to everybody on the staff

at one point or another.

C.J.: What do you mean?

It's-It's Claudia Jean. It's...

I... I'm-I'm at work.

I'm at the White House, Daddy.

Is there a nurse there?

I'm sorry you don't like it there,

but I can't come back right now.

I can't be there right now.

I'm very, very sorry,

and I-I love you so much, but I can't be there, and I-I...

I will be there as soon as I can,

hopefully next weekend, like we talked about.

All... All right, Daddy.

REPORTER: The injured child is the primary concern.

COMMENTATOR: ...President Bartlet, he can't or he won't ride herd.

WOMAN: ...nice family. The FBI hounded them.

Rahzi, Mrs. Othman was so scared.

Their phone was being tapped.

Now we've got Cowboy Arnold out there

shooting up dogs and children.

Listen, nobody respects the job

but tell me, where is the leadership?

WOMAN: Oh, sure it's racial profiling.

DOCUMENTARIAN: As tensions mounted in the West Wing,

the press secretary was kept at arm's length

about the negotiations and the condition

of the wounded child at Shaw Island.

SHEFFIELD: And, of course,

we've got the tradition of the flak jacket.

You heard about that. No, tell me.

Well, we've got this flak jacket,

it goes from one press secretary to the next.

We all put little notes in the pockets.

Uh, you know... words of wisdom to the next guy in the job.

Like what? Oh, I couldn't tell you that.

Part of the tradition is, it remains private.

The Roadless Rules Conservation Area Announcement,

originally scheduled for 12:00 p.m.

has been moved to 3:00 p.m.

C.J.? Agent Casper's here.

Agent, um... Hi.

What... I'm sorry,

I'm not sure this is a... a really good idea.

The entire Fourth Estate is camped outside.

Seriously, I'm gonna have to kick you out.

Well, the President, the Attorney General

and the Director all asked me to stop by,

so I wouldn't say that's a good idea.

You were in the... you were in the Oval?

Just left. It's okay.

And, uh, first off, I wanted to...

on behalf of the Director, I want to apologize.

The... media rep on Shaw screwed up.

He never should've issued a statement

without giving you a heads-up.

Yeah, I'd just appreciate him

not doing it while I'm on the air.

Agreed, bad move-- won't happen again.

What makes you say that?

That I'm not gonna answer until...

you close that. You want the cameras off?

Yes, please. I want 'em out. Okay. Hold on.

DOCUMENTARIAN: When we return--

an explosion on Shaw Island threatens the worst

for the Bartlet Administration. Carol!

CAROL: No comment!

Yes, please. I want 'em out.

Okay. Hold on.

DOCUMENTARIAN: C.J. Cregg's closed door

was a vivid reminder to the press corps--

that the Press Secretary

was in control of their feeding time.

Their hunger for updated information

was only intensified

by the continued lull in action on Shaw Island.

The quote from the vet is he doesn't have the bullet

or that the FBI confiscated the bullet?

Carol, we know Agent Casper's in there.

Is she being briefed?

C.J.: It's like being on a debate team.

You don't argue for the other side.

There's an inherent aspect of spin that's just human nature.

You try to strengthen and clarify your point of view.

If you choose not to advertise

your vulnerabilities, is that a cover-up?

You know what,

could you just make sure

people don't walk in and out of here?

Yeah, I'm really sorry about that, I just...

And this morning at the gaggle,

don't ever let the press have free reign back here.

This is the answer that's too longwinded for you to use,

but I think my job is public,

and yet for all its visibility, it's not.

And there's a misconception that I'm here

to stymie reporters, or to mislead the public,

to spin or even hide the truth.

Better way to put it,

and to honestly inform the press,

and through them, the public,

about what is happening on any given day.

DOCUMENTARIAN: You waiting for something?

You wanted to see my day. This is my day.

I just got a call from Jill at the Times,

and she told me

that you went on the record with her.

I didn't... I didn't go

on the record with her about anything.

I was rescheduling an appointment for C.J.

That is not your job.

Your job is, "No comment."

I have to talk to you.

...reporters, okay? Understood. I'll take care of it.

Yeah, what's up?

Research has it that Mrs. Othman

isn't Yemeni-American.

She's the daughter of a school teacher

and auto worker-- born in Detroit.

Has it gotten out yet?

Um, no, not yet.

All right, I want you to stay on it, okay?

And be discreet.

Hey, hey, they're moving!

...emergency vehicle on the scene,

up near the lane.

Yes, okay, now it appears

we have the ambulance doors open.

Carol!

We have a stretcher rolling out

of the ambulance-- I see two EMTs

and they have removed a stretcher

and they are heading in the direction of the cabin.

REPORTER 2: As a reminder,

the new SOP does specify

that snipers are not to fire

when children are in harm's way.

NEIGHBOR: Yes, I can see the EMTs approaching.

They don't appear to be going all the way to the door.

Oh-- the door's opening.

ANCHOR: The door to the cabin is?

( explosion )

Okay, we have

an explosion or a flash of some kind

near the cabin. ( gunfire )

REPORTER 2: We do have gunfire

coming from the direction of the cabin.

ANCHOR: What are you seeing now?

Get me ten minutes in the Oval Office.

MR. FARES: I can no longer see

the EMT's or the children.

There's... someone may be down.

REPORTER: Gunshots are continuing.

We see agents now, on the move.

I see five, six members of SWAT

storming towards the cabin.

Andrew!

ANCHOR: The neighbor with a visual on the cabin

is reporting he's lost sight of the children

who came out of the cabin and they may be down.

( gunfire )

We do have more gunfire coming from

the direction of the cabin,

and from the surrounding woods.

( reporters clamoring )

No comment.

( phone ringing )

This is Charlie.

Okay, thanks.

C.J.: We'll reschedule

the announcement for tomorrow.

I know you've got the NEC waiting.

PRESIDENT: No, I'll stick my head in.

All right, it'll get on your schedule

in the morning for a final prep

for questions you might get.

I think we can guess

what those questions are going to be.

Yes, sir.

I think they should be... Here they are.

Are these our young wayward adventurers?

The Eagle Rangers.

Welcome to the White House, fellas.

Hi, come on in.

How you doing?

Good to see you. Good, good.

I'll have a word with you later.

So, uh, who among you objects

to staying another night at the Marriot?

DOCUMENTARIAN: And while the airwaves

were filled with conflicting reports

of what had just happened on Shaw Island,

the Bartlet Administration, quietly dropped away

from the breaking news and resumed its day.

Was there contention within the Administration?

Would further departures

from Standard Procedure be revealed?

From inside the West Wing, we could only speculate

along with the rest of the country.

PRESIDENT: Thank you, fellas.

Thank you all very much.

We'll see you tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. in the Rose Garden.

Have a good night. Yes, sir.

You holding up?

Oh, yes, sir.

C.J.: Yes, I guess there's an inherent tension there,

I won't deny it.

Conventional wisdom says

you can't serve two masters-- I do.

Or I tell myself I do.

We're going to try to move this along.

Some of you are up against evening news deadlines.

So, without further ado,

we'd like to bring

Agent Mike Casper to the podium.

He'll have a statement and then take your questions.

Mike.

Approximately one hour ago,

Federal Agents apprehended Jamal Othman,

who had been holed up with his family

in a seven-hour standoff

on Shaw Island in Washington State.

ATF officials recovered

two cases of explosives

which had been wired throughout the cabin.

Mr. Othman was in control of their detonation.

Mr. Othman received a gunshot wound

to the left shoulder.

His condition is stable.

The standoff was initiated when Mr. Othman opened fire

this morning and released an attack dog

on Federal Agents who were

attempting to serve him with an arrest warrant.

One agent sustained severe bites to the face and throat.

His condition is critical at this time.

His name is being withheld

until his family can be notified.

Uh, the youngest Othman child

also sustained injuries

in the initial exchange of gunfire.

Hoda Othman, age six,

was struck by flying glass and went into shock.

She and the other five children,

as well as Mrs. Othman, have been safely evacuated.

The daughter is in stable condition.

I'll take your questions now.

against Mr. Othman?

DOCUMENTARIAN: On the evening news

on that March day, three years ago,

speculations of impropriety were initially overtaken

by relief at the positive outcome.

In a stunning conclusion,

agents from the FBI Hostage Rescue and SWAT,

using a flash-bang as a distraction,

stormed the cabin moments after an injured child

was safely evacuated...

C.J.: Okay, what have you got for me?

Lindsey called from the First Lady's Office.

The Richard Tyler burgundy gown she wore

was donated to the Costume Institute

at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in January.

Thank you. Did you, uh...

I already faxed Chris a copy of the receipt.

Thank you.

The Vatican advance team

was sorry they didn't get to say good-bye,

and look forward to seeing you soon.

They didn't seem put off?

I don't think so.

That Renato guy asked me out to dinner.

Ooh! You got to go.

I don't know, he seemed kind of...

Oh, come on, a guy I dated from the Vatican?

You can't pass that up.

DOCUMENTARIAN: Within a few hours,

the action in the West Wing's corridor's

slowed to a steady hum.

I'm out of here.

Good night, John.

Thank you for everything today.

ANDREW: I'll be working, so if you need anything,

I'll be here, working.

Okay, thanks, Andrew.

I appreciate it. Good night.

DOCUMENTARIAN: Is she a good boss?

CAROL: She's the best boss,

and I couldn't have a better job.

Um, I really look at C.J. as my mentor.

They say that a mentor's

a wise and trusted guide or friend.

I would say that C.J. is all of those things.

DOCUMENTARIAN: It would be weeks before the full scope of the charges

against Mr. Othman would become public knowledge,

but at the end of our day with C.J. Cregg,

"Access" got a preview of what America

would later learn.

Good day.

Not bad.

I counted six rounds you went

with the rope-a-dope in that briefing.

I'm starting to take pride in it.

That... sounds sick.

Is there anything I should know for tomorrow?

The Director wants to wait until

he's sure it's a clean sweep

before announcing all the charges.

That makes sense.

The confiscated blueprints

are the most damning evidence, of course,

but Othman's contacts with the Bahji network

have already netted a dozen arrests.

Wow, this was big for the FBI.

It was big for all of us.

Big enough to put Casey Creek in the past?

We'll see.

Whoops. ( chuckles )

DOCUMENTARIAN: The next day,

most of the media coverage mentioned

the Administration's previous debacle at Casey Creek.

Over the next nine months,

100 charges were handed down in dozens of arrests

connected to the Othman conspiracy.

In the end, 11 domestic terrorists

were sentenced and convicted in Federal Courts.

Last July, Jamal Othman died of complications

from kidney failure in Federal Prison,

where he was serving a life sentence

for conspiracy to commit terrorism.

Stop.

( chuckles )

Sometimes you have to just

let yourself get beaten up.

But, sometimes, it's better to be beaten up

for 24 hours, than beaten up for the long run.

Although, the long run is something I have no sense of.

You know, when I'm going home at night,

I'm thinking about the next day's schedule.

( cell phone ringing )

Rain?

That's what they said for today.

Keep it in the Rose Garden for now.

DOCUMENTARIAN: Director Arnold continues to elicit controversy

as head of the FBI, and C.J. Cregg,

who allowed us to share a day with her in the West Wing,

remains the only woman to have served two terms

as the White House Press Secretary.