The Third Debate (my impression)

OBAMA
(continuing; beat)
Colonel, I have just one more question
before I call Airman O'Malley and Airman
Perez: If you gave an order that Santiago
wasn't to be touched, and your orders are
always followed, then why would he be in
danger, why would it be necessary to
transfer him off the base?

And MCCAIN has no answer.

Nothing.

He sits there, and for the first time, seems to be lost.

MCCAIN
Private Santiago was a sub-standard
marine. He was being transferred off the
base because--

OBAMA
But that's not what you said. You said he
was being transferred because he was in
grave danger.

MCCAIN
(pause)
Yes. That's correct, but--

OBAMA
You said, "He was in danger". I said,
"Grave danger". You said--

MCCAIN
Yes, I recall what--

OBAMA
I can have the Court Reporter read back
your--

MCCAIN
I know what I said. I don't need it read
back to me like I'm a damn--

OBAMA
Then why the two orders?
(beat)
Colonel?
(beat)
Why did you--

MCCAIN
Sometimes men take matters into their own
hands.

OBAMA
No sir. You made it clear just a moment
ago that your men never take matters into
their own hands. Your men follow orders
or people die. So Santiago shouldn't have
been in any dangor at all, should he have,
Colonel?

Everyone's sweating now. Everyone but OBAMA.

MCCAIN
You little bastard.

FOX NEWS
Your Honor, I have to ask for a recess to--

OBAMA
I'd like an answer to the question, Judge.

SCHIEFFER
The Court'll wait for answer.

OBAMA
If Kendrick told his men that Santiago
wasn't to be touched, then why did he have
to be transferred?

MCCAIN is looking at BOB THE PLUMBER and PALIN.

OBAMA
(continuing)
Colonel?

MCCAIN says nothing.

OBAMA
(continuing)
Kendrick ordered the code red, didn't he?
Because that's what you told Kendrick to
do.

FOX NEWS
Object!

SCHIEFFER
Counsel.

OBAMA will plow through the objections of FOX NEWS and the
admonishments of BOB SCHIEFFER.

OBAMA
And when it went bad, you cut these guys
loose.

FOX NEWS
Your Honor--

SCHIEFFER
That'll be all, counsel.

OBAMA
You had Markinson sign a phony transfer
order--

FOX NEWS
Judge--

OBAMA
You doctored the log books.

FOX NEWS
Damnit Obama!!

OBAMA
I'll ask for the forth time. You ordered--

MCCAIN
You want answers?

OBAMA
I think I'm entitled to them.

MCCAIN
You want answers?!

OBAMA
I want the truth.

MCCAIN
You can't handle the truth!

And nobody moves.

MCCAIN
(continuing)
Son, we live in a world that has walls.
And those walls have to be guarded by men
with guns. Who's gonna do it? You? You,
Lt. Weinberg? I have a greater
responsibility than you can possibly
fathom. You weep for Santiago and you
curse the marines. You have that luxury.
You have the luxury of not knowing what I
know: That Santiago's death, while tragic,
probably saved lives. And my existence,
while grotesque and incomprehensible to
you, saves lives.
(beat)
You don't want the truth. Because deep
down, in places you don't talk about at
parties, you want me on that wall. You me
there
(boasting)
We use words like honor, code,
loyalty...we use these words as the
backbone to a life spent defending
something. You use 'em as a punchline.
(beat)
I have neither the time nor the
inclination to explain myself to a man who
rises and sleeps under the blanket of the
very freedom I provide, then questions the
manner in which I provide it. I'd prefer
you just said thank you and went on your
way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a
weapon and stand a post. Either way, I
don't give a damn what you think you're
entitled to.

OBAMA
(quietly)
Did you order the code red?

MCCAIN
(beat)
I did the job you sent me to do.

OBAMA
Did you order the code red?

MCCAIN
(pause)
You're goddamn right I did.