The American President Quotes

John Tyler: [to his new cabinet who didn't think much of him] I am very glad to have in my cabinet such able statesmen as you but I can never consent to being dictated to as to what I shall and shall not do. I am the President and if you think otherwise your resignation will be accepted.

Movie: The American President
President Andrew Shepherd: If Mary hadn't died, would we have won three years ago?
A.J.: Would we have won?
President Andrew Shepherd: If we had to go through a character debate three years ago, would we have won?
A.J.: I don't know. But I would have liked that campaign. If my friend Andy Shepherd had shown up, I would have liked that campaign very much.

Movie: The American President
President Andrew Shepherd: You're attracted to me, but the idea of physical intimacy is uncomfortable because you only know me as the President. But it's not always going to be that way, and the reason I know that is there was a moment last night when you were with ME, not the President. And I know what a big step that was for you. So, Sydney, I'm in no rush. Here's my plan. We're going to slow down, and when you're comfortable, that's when it's going to happen. [Sydney emerges from the bathroom wearing nothing but one of his shirts]
President Andrew Shepherd: Perhaps I didn't properly explain the fundamentals of the slowdown plan.
Sydney Ellen Wade: [feeling the bed] No, you explained it great.
President Andrew Shepherd: Are you nervous?
Sydney Ellen Wade: No.
President Andrew Shepherd: Good. My nervousness exists on... several levels. Number one, and this is in no particular order, I haven't done this in a pretty long time. Number two, uh, any expectations that you might have, given the fact that I'm... you know...
Sydney Ellen Wade: [approaching seductively] The most powerful man in the world?
President Andrew Shepherd: Exactly, thank you. I think it's important you remember that's a political distinction that comes with the office. I mean, if, uh, Eisenhower were here instead of me, he'd be dead by now... and number three...

Movie: The American President
Sydney Ellen Wade: [as they head to the state dinner] Do you do this often?
President Andrew Shepherd: Well, we had a state dinner for the prime minister of Japan, who died shortly thereafter, so we stopped having them just in case.
Sydney Ellen Wade: No. I mean, do you date often?
President Andrew Shepherd: Oh. No. You?
Sydney Ellen Wade: Yeah, well, lately I seem to be going out on a lot of first dates.
President Andrew Shepherd: Oh, so you've got experience with this kind of thing.
Sydney Ellen Wade: Oh yeah, you can ask me anything.
President Andrew Shepherd: So, how are we doing?
Sydney Ellen Wade: Ohhh you know pretty much everyday first date kind of stuff...
President Andrew Shepherd: Darn, and I wanted to be different than the other guys. [leaves her with her escort]
President Andrew Shepherd: Oh, by the way, nice shoes.

Movie: The American President
[dancing at a state dinner]
Sydney Ellen Wade: I don't know how you do it.
President Andrew Shepherd: It's Arthur Murray. Six lessons.
Sydney Ellen Wade: That's not what I mean. Two hundred pairs of eyes are focused on you with two questions on their minds - who's this girl, and why is the President dancing with her?
President Andrew Shepherd: Well, first of all, the two hundred pairs of eyes aren't focused on me. They're focused on you. And the answers are Sydney Ellen Wade, and because she said yes.

Movie: The American President
[Playing pool]
A.J.: Nice shot, Mr. President.
President Andrew Shepherd: Nice shot, Mr. President? You won't even call me by my name when we're playing pool?
A.J.: I will not do it playing pool, I will not do it in a school. I do not like green eggs and ham, I do not like them, Sam I Am.

Movie: The American President