All language subtitles for The West Wing (1999) - S05E18 - Access (1080p AMZN WEB-DL x265 ImE)_track3_[eng]

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.