Original subtitles

[applause]

[singing America the Beautiful in French]

[whispering, indistinct]

[whispering, indistinct]

What's going on?

- What are they doing here? - I don't know.

We weren't given any warning of their arrival.

OK.

We felt it best that we come here and tell you personally.

This came on us like a sneak attack.

- Safe to join? - Just give us another second, Rod.

He's my chief of staff, Jim.

The president has a bleeding aneurysm in his brain.

- How bad? - Bad.

It caused a massive stroke. When should we get word?

Two hours. Maybe three. Surgery seems to be going well.

It is, nonetheless, major surgery.

He'll be incapacitated for we don't know how long.

It'll be months of rehabilitation.

The doc explained these things come out of nowhere.

Usually there's no symptoms until the thing ruptures.

You get headaches, blurry vision, episodes of confusion.

He's not gonna be in condition to stay in office.

The 25th Amendment would kick in. The vice president assumes the presidency.

OK. Um...

Melanie, um... what happens now? Do I take the oath or...?

What?

We need you to resign, Mac.

You see, if you resign, Nathan Templeton could move into office.

Oh, I know it'd move Nathan Templeton into office.

Why would I want to move this speaker of the house into office?

You are an Independent. We need a Republican head of the administration.

Bridges picked Mac to succeed him if...

Just... This is coming from the president?

This is the president's intent.

I have no idea what that means. Did the president tell you this directly?

He was being wheeled into brain surgery.

We got hell on earth afoot.

We got Korea, Syria, Iran. Things are too unstable. We don't need the world...

...to see a soft, indecisive woman commanding the troops,

as opposed to Nathan "Bloody Hell" Templeton?

Madam Vice President, I must insist that you consider...

Jim, you're not in a position to insist how I take my coffee.

That said... how would this work?

- I resign... - No, no. You don't have to.

Tell them that you could not follow the ideals of this president.

Then what?

I... make a deal with Random House to write a book?

Air Force Two can be wheels up in an hour.

OK, when we're in the air, I want to speak to the chairman.

Chairman?

Of the Joint Chiefs?

Yes, Jim. Of the Joint Chiefs.

[singing America the Beautiful in French]

[shouting in French]

Mackenzie, call's ready.

Good. What have you heard?

The president is still in surgery but they are confident.

- There's been nothing on the news. - No.

Media's in the dark. It's a good lid. I had OMB send some bill summaries.

You know, we have to reschedule with the French. I got no...

I know how important this is to you. But you saw, right?

The French are not gonna help us in Nigeria.

If you assume the presidency, this can't be the first thing you jump into.

If I have to assume office,

the Nigerians are gonna move up the execution of Oria Madula.

They will bury this woman in sand up to her neck and stone her to death.

That can't be the first result of my presidency.

Uh, the twins. The Secret Service is getting them home?

- Yeah. - [whistle blows]

[man shouting]

[man] Here he is. Got him right here. Horace!

- What's up, Ted? - We gotta go.

- I have a few sprints left. - No. We don't have time.

- We gotta get you home. - What's going on?

We have instructions to get you to the residence.

- [woman] Becca? - Oh, Joan!

I got her.

- We were just... - Yeah, yeah, yeah.

I'll call you.

Let's go.

Bye.

- We're coming out. - [man on walkie-talkie] Copy that.

- [man] Madam Vice President? - [Jim] Got the JCS on line three.

Thank you. Would you bring up the carriers, please?

General Pollack, this is the vice president.

- Yes, ma'am. - General,

uh, you're aware of the president's condition?

Yes, ma'am. How's he doing?

We're, uh... we're hoping for the best.

But should things become more...

...serious or should news of the president's condition get out,

we would move to a higher DEFCON.

That's SOP.

OK, um, I'd like to elevate our readiness posture now.

- Let's not wait. - Yes, ma'am.

May I ask what you're doing?

Uh, also, let's get our carriers to our hot spots.

I see that the Truman is in the Med?

Annual NATO friendship maneuvers.

Hmm. Well, give our regrets to NATO and move her over to Gaza.

I want the Kitty Hawk… sitting on Pyongyang.

And, um... the Tarawa, does the Tarawa have extraction teams?

United States Marine Corps.

Good. That's all for now, general. I'll leave you to your work.

Yes, ma'am.

What do I tell the president when he asks why you put our Navy on high alert?

He won't ask. He'll know.

Madam Vice President, we need to discuss the remarks Kelly wrote

for the DAR event this evening when we get back.

Give it to me. I'll take a look. Gentlemen.

- Don't forget about the EPA speech. - OK. Thanks.

Rod. This is not going to stand.

What are you talking about?

I don't know if this is some last hurrah crap. But what is she thinking?

Taking over the military like that. It's like a coup d'état!

I know what you're going through, but you need to choose your tone carefully.

It's my job to protect the vital interests of the vice president

and the United States, and in this case they are the same.

Clear out of your office, Jim.

[boy] You're next in line. That's the rule.

- That's the Constitution. - It's more complicated than that.

Are you going to get a chance to speak to the president?

When he gets out of recovery.

I, uh... think I know your opinion.

Don't worry, Mom. I'll be dutiful.

I don't want you to be dutiful. I just don't want you to be a hypocrite.

I just think that the people voted for what President Bridges believes in.

You mean what you believe in.

[sighs] I just...

You know, if you can't deliver, then maybe you should step aside.

What about you? What do you think?

Will they put your face on money?

Um… you know what? They already have faces on all the money.

But maybe if I do a really good job,

they'll make, like, a 15-dollar bill, just for me.

Staff's assembled, ma'am.

Thank you. Now remember, this is a really big secret, so…

OK. See you, guys.

- [man 1] Good afternoon. - [man 2] Ma'am.

Thank you for coming.

Madam Vice President.

Let's go talk it out.

[clock chimes]

We should probably get an NSC brief. First thing.

Should Templeton be in on that?

No, no. Right now, we keep Templeton out of the mix.

We really need to talk about Nigeria.

If you become president, you're damned if you do, damned if you don't.

If you continue to try to get Oria Madula out,

you're focusing foreign policy on just one person.

If she doesn't... Ma'am, if you don't help, she will be executed.

[telephone rings]

[Rebecca] Hey. Someone wants to say good night.

Oh.

- Good night, baby girl. - Good night.

- Hey. - Good night, Daddy.

- Good night. - I love you.

OK. I love you. We'll get right on...

Guys, I'm going to take that NSC meeting by myself.

Mac...

...the president's awake.

He wants to see you.

[elevator bell rings]

How is he?

He seems OK. Surprisingly lucid, considering.

- I love this man. - I know.

Hey, boss. How are you feeling?

Like crap.

Anything I can do?

Well,

doctors say I'll be a year in rehab just to talk straight.

Uh.

Finally took God to nail me.

I hear you reorganized the Sixth Fleet while I was napping.

I was bored. I'd already read all the magazines on the plane.

You're gonna pluck her out, huh?

- If I have the opportunity. - It's a mistake.

You gave Jim Gardner a coronary.

[sighs]

Mac…

I want you to hear this from me.

I want...

I need you to resign.

Sir, would you really rather have Nathan Templeton?

You and I, Mac, we just see a different America.

[exhales]

Templeton's an SOB and a liar and he cheats at poker.

But he shares my vision...

...supports my will.

You tell me...

...in your heart...

...that you'd do the same.

I will not resign...

...until you do.

[siren wails]

Well, chancellor,

I come here, hat in hand.

You know, it's university policy not to endorse any candidate.

- I don't place stock in endorsements. - You're probably right about that.

You've done a hell of a job here at the University of Richmond.

I mean, your leadership's unquestioned.

Your research that's coming out of here...

How many Nobel Prizes do you have now?

And your expertise in Middle Eastern politics, it's impeccable.

Thank you.

Well, hell, Mackenzie, I'm just gonna come straight out and ask you.

I want you to be my running mate.

Surprised?

Did you just ask me to be your vice president?

Mm-hm.

Then yes, I'm surprised.

Well...

...here I am, champ.

Asking you to join my team.

To become the first woman vice president.

- And the first Independent. - I know, I know.

You walked away from Congress because you didn't want to play the "yes" game.

I... I respect that.

Look, I had four years in Congress. Four years.

The press is gonna devour me over my lack of experience.

We've had experience in the White House. What's it gotten us?

Watergate, Vietnam, Iran-gate, WMD-gate.

I want somebody who hasn't learned the game

of survival by deception.

I want intellect. I want…

You want someone who can help with a 40 percent approval rating with women.

Hell, Mackenzie.

If my raw need for power is what opens the door for a woman, so what?

And as for the media,

kiddo, you're gonna be a star.

[door opens]

Hey.

- Hey, Kelly. - Sorry to rouse you, Kelly.

Sure.

- [siren wails] - What's going on?

The president has had a stroke. From a bleeding aneurysm.

He's not gonna be able to remain in office.

I need you to write a resignation speech.

Uh... wouldn't the president want Kevin to write it?

It's not for him. It's for me.

The Oval Office should now be filled

by someone who shares the vision of President Bridges...

As in Nathan Templeton? Come on.

This guy makes Genghis Khan look like Mahatma Gandhi.

- Not like I haven't thought about this. - Ma'am.

Just take out your pen and write.

"The desire to see a woman in presidential office

- cannot be as important as..." - Return of book burning,

creationism in the classroom, invading every little country...

- Shut up. We have to get this done. - We don't have to get this done.

We should be in there talking some sense into her.

Templeton cannot be our president. Not on my watch.

Your watch?

Kelly.

A female... president.

Can't you smell the history?

It's not my job to smell history.

Why do you think we're here?

For moments like this.

We're here because though she may be great, she isn't perfect.

She is making a horrible decision.

But she's made it.

You sure about this?

Of course not.

He asked me to resign.

If you could have just heard him...

I wasn't there. And that's the point.

So I can... I can look at this thing objectively.

Look, this is what we do.

We do the right thing.

You have a country full of people who believe in you.

Well, I have a president who doesn't,

a cabinet who doesn't.

I have a daughter who'd rather see Pat Buchanan in office than her old lady.

[beeping]

[flatline tone]

[woman] Flatline!

[man] Clear!

- No response! - Charging.

Clear!

[man] Go to 300!

[woman] No rhythm!

[man] Charge… clear!

No response! 400!

Stay with us, sir!

Clear!

[woman] I can't get a reading! Still not responding.

Oh, Jim, I‘m so sorry.

There was a massive bleeding into his brain.

The doctor said there was a good chance this might happen.

- Mr. Chief Justice. - Madam Vice President.

Mr. Chief Justice, we'll be meeting in the study.

Mr. Templeton.

I'm devastated.

Well, at this point, you are technically the president of the United States.

Unless, of course, you should choose to resign.

That why you're here, Nathan?

Ready to take the oath as soon as I do the right thing and step aside?

Would you all give me a few minutes with Ms. Allen?

It's going fast, isn't it?

That's what I resent.

I resent that I don't have time to mourn my friend.

Ship of state just sails on regardless.

They told me that he asked you to step down.

And I think you should.

I'm sure that you do.

You know, I'm not telling you to do it out of respect for his wishes,

and certainly not because of anything I might want for myself.

The world's in turmoil, Mac. It could go any which way.

This is not the time for social advances

made for the sake of social advances.

Meaning a woman in the Oval Office.

No. Meaning a woman as the leader of the free world.

How many Islamic states would follow the edicts of a woman? Very few, I fear.

Well, not only that, Nathan, but we have that whole

"once a month, will she or won't she press the button" thing.

Well,

a couple years, you're not gonna have to worry about that.

You know that your vice-presidency was never ever intended

to be a presidency. It was done as a stunt.

I mean, you can see that. You're a female. You're an Independent.

- You're a teacher. - University chancellor.

Hey. A philosopher queen.

But the point is, it was all done as pure theater,

and you got great reviews.

But now you should get off the stage while the audience still loves you,

before they figure out that your vice-presidency was a lot of nothing.

Because when they get a look at that “go away” mission

he sent you on to Al... Nigeria for what's her name?

- The adulteress? - Oria Madula.

Yeah. It was supposed to be another piece of theater.

But then you up and went to France and asked them for assistance. France?

You asked guys who can't get elected without the Muslim vote

to intercede in the verdict of Nigerian sharia court? Come on, Mac.

Ugh! We're gonna end up looking silly and ineffectual

because you're never gonna be able to save her

and we're gonna lose face, and for whom?

A lady who couldn't keep her legs together.

Nate.

I'm gonna go out there,

and I'm gonna take the oath of office.

I'm gonna run this government.

If some Islamic nations can't tolerate a female president,

it will be more their problem than mine.

Why? Why do you want to be president?

Same reason Teddy Bridges did.

I believe the people of America deserve to have...

No.

In this room, where it's just you and me, just the two of us,

the answer that you should be giving me is that you want to be president

because you want the power.

You want the power to control the universe.

- That's not me. - Well, that's the problem.

That's what I'm telling you.

People who don't want power have no idea what to do with it.

They have no idea how to use it when they have it.

Mr. Speaker, I would very much like an invitation

to address a joint session of Congress tomorrow night.

- Before the funeral? - Before the markets open.

We want to convince the world there's no crisis of leadership. Right?

Do you have a Bible handy?

Becca, what about that one in your room?

Here.

Use mine.

[man] I, Mackenzie Spencer Allen...

I, Mackenzie S. Allen…

...do solemnly swear...

...do solemnly swear…

…that I will faithfully execute the office

of president of the United States.

…that I will faithfully execute the office

of president of the United States.

[man 1] This is an electrifying and historic moment, Mackenzie Allen…

[woman] She was wearing a navy sleeveless suit when she took the...

[man 2] The late president's condition was kept from the nation

up until two hours ago…

[man 3] Allen was sworn in in a private ceremony just a few hours ago…

[woman] ...the first female in the Oval Office,

but indeed the first Independent president to take the office.

Madam President, both staffs have assembled.

Kelly, we have the Roosevelt ready for you.

The DOD and Protocol are making funeral arrangements.

I reviewed the NSC report this morning.

Not much to worry about. Sir.

Kelly we have everything ready for you in here. Coffee?

- Morning. - Morning. Madam President.

Just make sure that everybody...

[talking continues]

[Jim] I, um... I haven't had time to type up my letter of resignation yet.

But it is forthcoming. Meanwhile, anything I can...

Listen, you've... You've done a damn good job here.

We're gonna need you during the transition phase.

I was hoping that you could help us set up meetings with the dignitaries.

- You should sit in. - Whatever you need.

I've assembled the cabinet for you.

OK. Give me ten minutes.

I'll see you in ten minutes.

- How do you feel? - Sad.

Yeah. I know.

Hmm.

The truth is, I know I can do this.

Yes, you can.

That doesn't mean I'm prepared.

I was never on the inside.

I wasn't Gore. I wasn't Cheney.

OK, that's right. You're not one of those guys.

You're Mackenzie Allen. You're the president of the United States.

You represent this nation's strength, OK?

And that's how we have to go into that cabinet meeting.

You talk about... about solidarity, about President Bridges,

about how he would have wanted to have kept the administration,

you know, together.

- [knocking] - Come on in.

- And let's keep it on track. - Madam President?

I can clear the desk off for you when you're not here.

Thank you, Ruth.

Sir, you are to meet with Nora Woodruff in the Vermeil in ten.

- Who's Nora Woodruff? - The first lady's chief of staff.

That can wait. I've got to see the president...

You know, I'm OK, Rod.

You sure?

Sir, you can use that door to get...

Thank you, Ruth.

Ruth, I would like to talk to you later about staying,

integrating my staff with...

I would understand if you wanted to bring Ms. Rogers over.

She should stay in the vice president's office.

I'd like you here, if you don't mind.

Well, ma'am...

...yes, I do.

Oh.

I don't mean to apply any more pressure to you.

It must be...

My God, I can't imagine what it must be like for you.

But I have been with him for more than a decade.

And I know that he did not want you behind that desk. And so…

Why don't you give it a few days, Ruth? See, you know, how it goes.

I wish you success, ma'am.

I really do. Because I wish this country success.

But... staying here,

it would just make me feel…

- Say it, whatever it is. - It would make me feel cheap.

You're gonna put the time in to training Ms. Rogers?

- Of course. - Great.

Would you set some time aside for calls to Congressional leaders for me?

- Of course, ma'am. - Thank you.

- Soon enough. - What?

Your painting will be up there soon enough.

I'm Nora Woodruff. I run the first lady's staff.

- And also the Office of Protocol. - Oh.

It's just awful about the president. Isn't it?

But the first lady came to me...

I'm sorry, Mrs. Bridges came to me,

and she told me that the nation needs to move on

and that I should get with you right away.

- Good. - May I show you to your office?

- Uh... - This way.

[indistinct chatter]

Ladies and gentlemen,

- the president of the United States. - Good morning.

Please, take your seats.

Ma'am, you need to look at this.

I'm sorry, uh, I'd like this meeting to be closed

to everyone but cabinet members.

- General, if you would please stay. - Yes, ma'am.

It seems that our secretary of labor has resigned.

Effective immediately.

Is there anyone else?

Anyone?

I'm here.

I can accept resignations, live and in person.

We all have something in common.

That's President Teddy Bridges.

He picked all of us to be a team. All of us.

Now we can remain a team. But it's up to you.

Because I do not intend to make any changes.

So I ask again,

and please, follow the courage of your convictions.

If you want out, you tell me now.

OK.

Oh. It's, uh...

...very, uh, pink.

- Yes. - Mm-hm.

Well, Mrs. Clinton had her office in the West Wing.

That didn't go over very well.

I think staying here like a traditional first lady is a splendid idea.

Well, this'll... This'll be fine, I suppose.

Good.

After the funeral we'll discuss what kind of staff you'll be needing.

Do you think it'll be more than 20?

Mrs. Clinton had 20.

That didn't go over very well.

Folks on the Hill thought it was, you know, a waste of tax dollars.

I think that we should maybe wait until the president has delivered her speech.

Oh, is she giving a speech?

Yes, uh, to the Congress.

- We're working on it, so... - Really?

Are you going to be involving yourself in matters like that?

I need to see the Nigerian ambassador with the JCS.

- When? Today? - Today. As soon as possible.

The Nigerians need to know

that I continue to take the release of Oria Madula seriously.

That this was not some “go away” mission for the vice president.

Oh, I asked the Army chief of staff a few weeks ago

to work up an extraction plan for Madula.

I'd like to see that.

- OK? - Done.

[sighs]

Are you OK?

Yeah.

What I said in there, that applies to you as well.

I don't follow.

I want you to be my chief of staff.

I know. It's the last thing you expected to hear.

But you've run this place for over two years. You know what you're doing.

These are emotional times for all of us.

I need your wisdom.

I know we don't agree on a lot,

but... I promise you, I will listen to you.

This is... rather unexpected.

[exhales] What isn't these days?

Have you talked to your husband about this? What does Rod...?

Um, I'll find the appropriate time to tell him.

Do you want me to talk to him?

Oh, God, no. No. You can't imagine...

Um... No. He'll be disappointed.

But, uh, he knows that, as the first female president,

I can't have it seem like my husband is running the country.

I'm sure he's gonna have his hands full with his new duties.

[Nora] Attention, everyone, can you stop the work for a moment.

Just wanna make some introductions. This is Mark. He's our primary.

- Hi, Mark. - It's a pleasure, sir.

Mark, I'm sure you have a lot of questions for FLOTUS.

- First gentleman. - So sad about the president.

Yes, very.

I assume we will be meeting daily to discuss the menu?

Uh, well, uh, that's not really my style, Mark.

Actually, the first lady does have quite a bit of involvement

in the meal preparation.

There was Mrs. Clinton, of course, she shunned that,

made the staff guess. Didn't go over well.

Tonight, um, before the speech, something light perhaps.

- A salad, I suppose. - That'd be fine.

And what salad dressing does the president prefer?

[sighs] Man.

Hello, Mac.

Grace. I'm so sorry.

He was gorging on the great generals of World War II.

[exhales]

It happened just... like that.

He was going to ask you to resign.

He did.

And yet, here you stand,

ready to address the nation in 90 minutes as its president.

Well, I hope it's the best damn speech those little bastards ever heard.

You honor him, Mac. Honor him well.

You bet I will.

So, what happens now? I guess I move out, right?

You know, we've never actually owned a home.

Hmm.

We moved into the governor's mansion when he was 30.

We were there for 16 years. Then the Observatory for four and now here.

Hmm. Well, you take all the time you need.

Obviously, you and Tommy.

Mac, you're the first female president.

If Moses had been a woman, leading the Jews in the desert,

she'd have stopped and asked for directions.

They'd have been in Israel in a week.

- Manute. - Madam President.

- Jim. - Manute.

Allow me to express our sincere condolences.

Thank you. I don't have much time.

We must continue to insist that the United States does not...

...interfere...

Sorry, what was that?

Gentlemen.

- General Pollack. - Yes, ma'am.

Explain to the ambassador the means by which we will extricate Oria Madula.

Yes, ma'am.

Last night, on President Allen's orders,

we moved the USS Tarawa.

She's the flagship of the Amphibious Readiness Group.

In half an hour we'll be able to send an advance team

of six Cobras to soften your defenses,

which will be followed by a Huey command helicopter.

After that, we will send in two CH-46 helicopters

with an extraction team.

We'll remove Oria Madula and fly her to free soil.

By the way, we're pretty good at this sort of thing.

There should be... limited loss of life.

I don't believe the USA would take such unilateral action.

You're a good guy. You really are.

But I can't take a chance that my becoming president

will speed Oria Madula's execution.

And if you think that I am gonna stand by

and watch a young woman be executed,

tortured, for having sex, you are sorely mistaken.

I will call the prime minister.

All right. I'll tell you what I resent, OK?

OK.

I, uh, resent that... you knew this all along,

- and that you let me... - No...

No, no let me finish.

That you were gonna do this all along

and you let me behave like an ass in front of Jim.

I mean, thanking him for his service to this country.

I'm so humiliated.

- Rod, come on. You don't... - "Come on"?

Honey, honey. Listen. Listen.

The only way this has ever worked is when we've walked side by side.

- And I want to be there for you. - You will be.

As chief of staff.

You are the most important man in my life. I swear to you…

It's OK. It's OK.

We gotta go. We do.

[rock music on TV]

Hey.

- We're leaving in, like, ten minutes. - Yeah, I know. Uh... I'm not going.

- You're joking, right? - No, I'm not feeling well.

What are you doing?

I just told you, OK? I'm not feeling well.

- [mutes TV] - Hey.

Look, I know girls and their moms are supposed to have their troubles.

If you don't go, you guys won't recover.

- You know what? - What?

I just don't wanna go, OK?

Mom says not to be a hypocrite. All right. Fine. I won't be.

Hey, look. You get to be John-John and I'll be Patti Davis.

If you don't come, that's all that‘s gonna be on her mind.

Do you want to be responsible for that?

Have a sense of history.

[departing footsteps, door closes]

[sirens wail]

[Mac] The word “legacy” would work better than “foundation.”

- I don't see why not. - [telephone rings]

- [girl] Mommy? When you were young, - Yeah?

did you ever get a time out?

Only about a hundred million times.

OK, that's real good.

- We've got Kharkov scheduled. - OK, good.

- What'd you get a time out for? - Honey, Mommy's got to concentrate now.

- She's got an important speech to give. - Interrupting my parents.

- Amy! Dammit! - Sorry.

- Here. Here. - I'm sorry.

You have got to be much more careful.

- [Amy] I didn't mean it. - It's OK, baby.

[Rod] Unbelievable.

Did you get wet too? It's all right.

[Rod] No. You're not gonna be able to wear that.

Ma'am.

- Wear this. - [Mac] Yes.

- [Mac] Thank you. - [exhales]

- [talking in foreign language] - [baby crying]

[continues in foreign language]

[woman crying]

[door shuts]

[baby continues crying]

[woman] We are moments from President Allen's first…

[speakers in various languages]

Ready, ma'am.

Go to Kelly, baby.

- Hi, Kelly. - Hi, sweetie.

[Rod] Mackenzie.

- So, do you hate me? - No.

I love you.

Go win the country.

[Mac chuckles]

Mr. Speaker, the president of the United States!

Ladies and Gentleman of this Congress,

honorable justices of the Supreme Court, members of my cabinet,

distinguished guests, to the American people

and to our friends around the world who are watching now:

Let me offer the clarity of my conviction.

The White House…

The White House was where President Bridges lived,

but it was not his home, nor is it my home now.

It is the home of the presidency.

The home of American democracy.

And though President Bridges' agenda must be respected,

my task is not to fulfill the legacy of a man.

I have been entrusted with continuing the legacy of a nation,

and what is best in it.

A nation whose magnificent and righteous history

will govern its future.

A cloud hangs over us. It's a cloud of mourning,

of uncertainty.

And though that cloud may cover the sun temporarily,

it cannot extinguish it.

That sun, like our freedom and democracy,

will not go away.

Resilience is what defines our character.

And the character of any nation is judged

not by its leaders, but by its people.

The people, like that sun,

are what is constant.

And so I say to the people of this nation,

I am humbled by your greatness.

I am humbled by the history being made here today,

humbled by the notion

that I am the first woman to hold this office.

I'm humbled by the responsibilities that rest with me.

I promise to vigorously defend our Constitution.

I will recognize, as Harry Truman said,

that the responsibility of a great state

is to serve the world, not to dominate it.

And it is clear that human rights is not an issue

for just the free world, but it is, nonetheless,

the responsibility of a free people.

God knows you and I have shed tears these past days.

And more tears are to come.

But soon, we must return to the future.

And I will do my best to take you there.

I am with you.

I ask this Congress,

I ask the Court, I ask my cabinet,

I ask the people of the United States to stand with me now, unwavering.

For in this house united,

we will demonstrate our sovereignty of greatness.

God bless Theodore Roosevelt Bridges.

May his soul rest... with the greatest of men.

And God bless the United States of America. Thank you.

Whoo!

I'll always be right behind you.