1995
President Andrew Shepherd, a widower seeking re-election, begins a romantic relationship with environmental lobbyist Sydney Ellen Wade, which quickly becomes a political liability as Senator Robert Rumson uses it to attack Shepherd's character and policies. As Shepherd's poll numbers drop and his legislative agenda stalls, his staff urges him to counter Rumson, but he initially prioritizes his relationship with Sydney, causing a temporary rift when his team considers sacrificing her environmental bill. After a conversation with his daughter, Shepherd decides to fight back, publicly denouncing Rumson's attacks and outlining an ambitious new legislative agenda that includes both the crime bill and the environmental package. This decisive action reinvigorates his staff and public support, leading to a reconciliation with Sydney and a powerful State of the Union address reaffirming his commitment to his policies and personal integrity.
Save the Cat beat sheet
The screenplay opens by introducing President Shepherd’s polished public life and immediately stakes out his central conflict between political pragmatism and personal integrity.
Open full beat sheetAndrew Benjamin Shepherd is listed as President of the United States. Widower, father of Lucy, intelligent, charismatic, and politically pragmatic. In the parsed data, Andrew Benjamin Shepherd is connected to 26 scenes, 82 dialogue lines, 82 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
26 scenes / 82 dialogue linesSydney Ellen Wade is listed as Environmental Lobbyist. Professional political strategist, intelligent, passionate, and initially intimidated by the White House. In the parsed data, Sydney Ellen Wade is connected to 14 scenes, 28 dialogue lines, 30 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
14 scenes / 28 dialogue linesA.J. MacInerney is listed as Chief of Staff. The President's closest and oldest friend, loyal and pragmatic. In the parsed data, A.J. MacInerney is connected to 13 scenes, 12 dialogue lines, 12 text mentions, first appearing around scene 9.
13 scenes / 12 dialogue linesLewis Rothschild is listed as Chief Domestic Policy Advisor. Intense, sleep-deprived, and deeply committed to the President's legislative agenda. In the parsed data, Lewis Rothschild is connected to 11 scenes, 9 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 22.
11 scenes / 9 dialogue linesRobin McCall is listed as Press Secretary. Strikingly tall, professional, and quick-witted. In the parsed data, Robin McCall is connected to 7 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 27.
7 scenes / 5 dialogue linesLucy Shepherd is listed as President's Daughter. 12-year-old, plays trombone, intelligent and observant. In the parsed data, Lucy Shepherd is connected to 6 scenes, 24 dialogue lines, 24 text mentions, first appearing around scene 12.
6 scenes / 24 dialogue linesJanie Basdin is listed as Personal Assistant. Shy, professional, and incredibly efficient. In the parsed data, Janie Basdin is connected to 6 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 9.
6 scenes / 3 dialogue linesLeon Kodak is listed as Pollster. Likable, clumsy, and a numbers whiz. In the parsed data, Leon Kodak is connected to 5 scenes, first appearing around scene 3.
5 scenes / 0 dialogue linesLeo Solomon is listed as Head of Global Defense Council. White-haired, experienced, and pragmatic. In the parsed data, Leo Solomon is connected to 1 scene, first appearing around scene 4.
1 scenes / 0 dialogue linesRobert Rumson is listed as Senate Minority Leader. Political rival, manipulative, and focused on character attacks. In the parsed data, Robert Rumson is connected to 1 scene, first appearing around scene 17.
1 scenes / 0 dialogue linesPresident Shepherd and his assistant Janie discuss the day's schedule while walking to the elevator, where they meet Lewis Rothschild.
Andrew Benjamin Shepherd, Janie Basdin, Lewis RothschildShepherd, Lewis, and Janie walk through the West Wing while continuing their debate about the speech.
Andrew Benjamin Shepherd, Lewis Rothschild, Janie BasdinThe President's senior staff meets to discuss poll numbers, the crime bill, and environmental lobbying.
Andrew Benjamin Shepherd, A.J. MacInerney, Lewis Rothschild, Robin McCall, Janie Basdin, Leon KodakLeo Solomon decides to hire Sydney Ellen Wade to lobby the White House.
Leo Solomon, Sydney Ellen WadeShepherd visits his daughter Lucy to discuss her schoolwork.
Andrew Benjamin Shepherd, Lucy ShepherdSydney Wade confronts A.J. and the President regarding environmental policy.
Andrew Benjamin Shepherd, Sydney Ellen Wade, A.J. MacInerneyShepherd and Sydney discuss the environmental bill and reach a deal.
Andrew Benjamin Shepherd, Sydney Ellen WadeShepherd and A.J. play pool while discussing the possibility of Shepherd dating Sydney.
Andrew Benjamin Shepherd, A.J. MacInerneyShepherd and A.J. discuss Sydney's impression of him; Shepherd asks Janie to find a phone number.
Andrew Benjamin Shepherd, A.J. MacInerney, Janie BasdinEstablishing shot of the street.
Sydney talks to her sister Beth about her day at the White House and receives a call from Shepherd.
Sydney Ellen WadeShepherd, Sydney, and Lucy play Scrabble; Lucy leaves, and Shepherd offers Sydney a tour.
Andrew Benjamin Shepherd, Sydney Ellen Wade, Lucy ShepherdShepherd gives Sydney a tour of the White House museum area.
Andrew Benjamin Shepherd, Sydney Ellen WadeShepherd and Sydney share an intimate moment in the China Room before being interrupted by an agent.
Andrew Benjamin Shepherd, Sydney Ellen WadeShepherd insists on stopping at a flower shop, causing a security scramble.
Andrew Benjamin Shepherd, A.J. MacInerney, Lewis Rothschild, Robin McCallShepherd enters the flower shop and accidentally causes the teenage clerk to faint.
Andrew Benjamin ShepherdSenator Rumson gives a speech attacking Shepherd and Sydney.
Robert RumsonShepherd and his staff watch Rumson's attack on TV while Shepherd talks to Sydney on the phone.
Andrew Benjamin Shepherd, Sydney Ellen Wade, A.J. MacInerney, Lewis Rothschild, Robin McCallShepherd and Sydney arrive at Camp David.
Andrew Benjamin Shepherd, Sydney Ellen WadeShepherd and Sydney watch news reports of Rumson's continued attacks.
Andrew Benjamin Shepherd, Sydney Ellen WadeA Christmas party at the White House where Sydney reveals a political opportunity.
Andrew Benjamin Shepherd, Sydney Ellen Wade, A.J. MacInerney, Lewis Rothschild, Robin McCall, Leon KodakShepherd and his staff debate whether to sacrifice the fossil fuel package to pass the crime bill.
Andrew Benjamin Shepherd, A.J. MacInerney, Lewis Rothschild, Robin McCall, Leon KodakSydney confronts Shepherd about being fired and used as a political pawn.
Andrew Benjamin Shepherd, Sydney Ellen WadeA.J. confronts Shepherd about his passivity.
Andrew Benjamin Shepherd, A.J. MacInerneyShepherd and Lucy have a tense breakfast.
Andrew Benjamin Shepherd, Lucy ShepherdPresident Shepherd has breakfast with his daughter Lucy and discusses her concerns about his political image and her own identity.
Andrew Benjamin Shepherd, Lucy ShepherdShepherd makes an unannounced appearance at the press briefing to confront Senator Rumson and outline his new policy agenda.
Andrew Benjamin Shepherd, Robin McCall, A.J. MacInerney, Lewis Rothschild, Leon KodakA.J. and Lewis discuss the impact of the President's speech.
A.J. MacInerney, Lewis RothschildShepherd plans to visit Sydney, and she arrives unexpectedly.
Andrew Benjamin Shepherd, A.J. MacInerney, Sydney Ellen Wade, Lewis Rothschild, Janie BasdinThe Capitol is prepared for the State of the Union address.
Shepherd prepares for the State of the Union address with his staff and reconciles with Sydney.
Andrew Benjamin Shepherd, Lucy Shepherd, Robin McCall, Lewis Rothschild, A.J. MacInerney, Sydney Ellen WadeThis is a country made up of people with hard jobs that they're terrified of losing. The roots of freedom are of little or no interest to them at the moment. We are a nation afraid to go out at night. We're a society that has assigned low priority to education and has looked the other way while our public schools have been decimated. We have serious problems to solve, and we need serious men to solve them. And whatever your particular problem is, friend, I promise you, Bob Rumson is not the least bit interested in solving it. He is interested in two things and two things only: Making you afraid of it and telling you who's to blame for it. That, ladies and gentlemen, is how you win elections. You gather a group of middle-aged, middle-class, middle-income voters who remember with longing an easier time, and you talk to them about family and American values and personal character. Then you have an old photo of the President's girlfriend. You scream about patriotism and you tell them she's to blame for their lot in life, you go on television and you call her a whore. Sydney Ellen Wade has done nothing to you, Bob. She has done nothing but put herself through law school, prosecute criminals for five years, represent the interests of public school teachers for two years, and lobby for the safety of our natural resources.
Yes. Okay. Yes. Sometimes, I mean, I'm not sure. You know a lot more than I do -- but still, I have these feelings, and I don't think they're wrong. Like, okay, for instance, I'm not so sure it's all right to burn a flag. I mean, it really bothers a lot of people, and I don't know why you think it's okay. I hear Senator Rumson talk, and some of the things he says sounds right to me, and I think, "God, am I like Bob Rumson?! I mean, Dad thinks he's a jerk. Dad hates this guy! Why am I agreeing with him" And then I think, "Well, maybe I'm not really like Bob Rumson, but maybe I'm not like Dad either." But the point is I'm the President's kid, and people pay attention to what I say, and if I say something different from what you say, it'll be embarrassing for you. So I can't just get up in social studies class and say whatever I want.
They want leadership, Mr. President. They're so thirsty for it, they'll crawl through the desert toward a mirage, and when they discover there's no water, they'll drink the sand.
This isn't a state of mind. You are the President. And when I'm in a room with you, oval or any other shape, I'm always gonna be a lobbyist, and you'll always be the President.
It's nice to see you, Ms. Wade. If anybody needs me, I'll be in the Roosevelt Room, giving Lewis oxygen.
Mr. President -- have you ever noticed how similar the Van Buren flatware is to the Buchanan flatware?
What would happen if I called Sydney and asked her to be my date at the State Dinner Thursday night?
I got news for you, Sydney. As a lobbyist, you would never be alone in a room with the President.
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