24 (TV Series)

Day 4: 4:00 a.m.-5:00 a.m. (2005)

Denis Arndt: Don Ashton

Quotes 

• President Charles Logan : [after entering the room]  please everybody be seated. I would like to apologize for the abrupt removal from your homes and offices please know that these precautions had to be taken to ensure the secrecy of your arrival: the US has been thrown into a Category One emergency. a cruise missile containing a nuclear warhead has been launched and is headed for we believe a major US city, very possibly Washington DC. Now all branches of the military have been altered and their doing everything in their power to locate the missile and to intercept it

  Don Ashton : Excuse me Sir, you're saying not only do we not know what the missile's target is but you don't even know where the missile is?

  President Charles Logan : That's correct

  Don Ashton : When do you plan on informing the public?

  President Charles Logan : As of this time, we feel informing the public wouldn't be in the country's best interest

  Don Ashton : We" meaning who Mr. President?

  President Charles Logan : "I" feel that way Mr. Speaker

  Don Ashton : Doesn't the public have a right to know the truth?

  President Charles Logan : That's all I have for now: when I know more, an update will be given, thank you

• Don Ashton : What's going on here?

  Mike Novick : Meaning what?

  Don Ashton : Logan was sworn in a few hours ago now we're under a massive terrorist attack. He needs all the help he can get

  Mike Novick : He understands that, his seeking advice from everywhere

  Don Ashton : Not from his Cabinet or the Congressional leadership

  Mike Novick : give it time Don, give it time

• Don Ashton : How's President Logan managing?

  Mike Novick : Under the circumstances: very well

  Don Ashton : I noticed ex-President Palmer is here with him

  Mike Novick : Yes, he brought the former President in to "advise"

  Don Ashton : That's probably a good idea: Palmer's been at the helm in this kind of crisis before, he knows how to lead

  Mike Novick : President Logan doesn't have any problem "leading" if that's what you're getting at?

  Don Ashton : Oh no, not at all: it's just that if his not asking his Cabinet for help or the leadership, it "comforts" me somewhat that his in good hands

  Mike Novick : Is there something else you wanted to say?

  Don Ashton : Yeah, there is. The people elected John Keeler to run this country, in his absence Logan is expected to take over, if his not up to the task, it is I, Speaker of the House, and not David Palmer who steps up

  Mike Novick : Understood and let me assure you that's not the case: Logan is in complete control

• President Charles Logan : [During a meeting with his senior advisers]  gentlemen and ladies: considering the crisis we face today, I felt it was prudent to enlist the help of ex-President Palmer

  Jennie : In what capacity Sir?

  President Charles Logan : Excuse me?

  Don Ashton : Sir, everybody in this room has a title and a specific function, exactly what "position" will President Palmer be occupying?

  David Palmer : I'm here "solely" as an adviser, not only to the President, but to anyone else here who requests my counsel

  President Charles Logan : [to Don]  President Palmer is outside the chain of command is what you're asking?

  Don Ashton : I'm just asking for clarification Sir

  President Charles Logan : The missile carrying the nuclear warhead was launched from a location in central Iowa, it's becoming more and more "likely" that the target is on or near one of the coasts

  Jennie : It's clearly going to be New York or DC: why aren't we evacuating those two cities?

  David Palmer : I disagree Jennie. It's not clear, and if you start to evacuate these two cities, then you may have unauthorized mass exodus of Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Atlanta. That's a situation the President shouldn't be dealing with

  Don Ashton : [to Palmer]  maybe the "President" should be telling us that himself?

  President Charles Logan : [to Don]  Mr. Speaker, I've discussed this option with a number of my domestic experts, including President Palmer and that's my assessment as well

  Don Ashton : What about air defense? We're going to stand by and let the airspace over these cities remain undefended?

  David Palmer : We have a limited number of F-18's intercepting jets at our disposal: they need to be augmenting the search for this missile, and not deployed in a "wait and see" mode

  Don Ashton : Mr. Palmer, I'm sure we all appreciate your desire to help but the Constitution has determined who the decision maker should be at this time, I think your overstepping your bounds

  David Palmer : In the first place, it's "Mr. President" Don, and it is the "content" of my statement you should be addressing...

  President Charles Logan : [Interrupts him]  David, it's true, you are to be addressed as "President", it's an expression of respect but not a functional title

  David Palmer : I understand that Sir but you have to understand I've been through this crisis before

  President Charles Logan : Yes, but "we" are here now. The appointed and lawful representatives of the people of the United States

  David Palmer : Mr. President, I would... .

  President Charles Logan : [Interrupts him]  David, there will be no more discussion on this matter, your point has been taken, however, Ashton has made a good point and I want to address his concerns

  David Palmer : Perhaps it's best I excuse myself?