House of Cards

Sheldon, sir. I'm a retired police officer.

Well, then I can only imagine that Sheldon must be

one of the safest places in this state.

We do our best.

But my son, he's a marine, stationed at Camp Dwyer.

He keeps our country safer than I do.

Me and my wife were wondering,

if he got sent over to the Jordan Valley, will that really keep us safer?

Because it sure seems like the whole peacekeeping mission

is only making things more dangerous.

Thank you for that. May I?

Well, first of all, let me say how grateful I am for your son's service.

I know we all feel exactly the same way.

And now, uh, let me try to answer your question.

Have we run into some difficulties with the Russians?

Yes, we have.

Is there tension between the Israelis and the Palestinians?

Absolutely.

But, that is the very reason that this mission is so important.

We have gathered together a coalition of seven nations

to bring stability to a region

that has suffered from unrest for decades.

It will take time.

And there may be lives that will be lost.

But this is not just important for the Middle East's security,

it's important for the security of the United States and the rest of the world.

And I hope that I've answered your question.

Now, who was next?

Uh, let's see here.

Well, how about this young woman right here?

Now, I'll give you my microphone, but only if you promise to give it back.

He seemed to want to hang onto it for a while.

- There you are. - Um, my name is Annie Wietz,

and I'm also worried about what the officer was just saying.

- I want a safe world for my grandkids-- - Give me back the mic

- and I'll answer your question. - I haven't asked my question yet.

Oh!

Apologies. I'm ahead of myself. Go ahead.

The covert operation, the one that caused the Israelis to invade.

Was that us? Because that really seemed to make a mess of everything.

- May I? - Please.

Thank you. Now, Annie?

- Is that your name, yeah? - Yes, sir.

Now, I have said this on this matter before,

and I know it may be frustrating, but it is the truth.

When it comes to covert operations by any nation,

or matters of intelligence, for security purposes,

including the security of our own soldiers,

I simply cannot comment on these issues.

But, sir, I'm sorry, but what is the point of having us ask questions

- if you won't answer them? - Well, she's got me there. Uh...

I can answer any question but that one.

In fact, I hope that we can ask some questions

about how we're gonna focus on things right here at home.

How about someone up there in the cheap seats?

Anyone have a question there?

The situation in Jordan Valley, it threatens to bleed across the border.

We already have refugees requesting to enter Jordan.

Forgive me, Prince Ryad. You may be dealing with

a few hundred refugees, but we are facing mortar attacks.

Fourteen in the last two weeks.

None of your people have died yet.

The last one came within 50 meters of a school.

Your troops have killed over a dozen Palestinians in house raids.

- You expect us not to fight back? - We need the violence to stop.

If it continues, the peacekeeping mission will fall apart.

And it's our best hope for long-term stability.

Can you speak to Hamas and Hezbollah? Get them to agree to a cease-fire?

Israel has twice as many troops in the region

as before the peacekeeping mission began.

No, it is we who are defending ourselves.

You agreed to remove two thousand troops.

If there's a cessation of mortar attacks, and if the Russians leave.

A one-third troop reduction.

That should be enough to convince your people, no?

Once the troops leave, I engage them, but not before.

Show some goodwill. You'll still have 4,000 troops there.

Because we cannot accomplish anything

unless we have proof of de-escalation on both sides.

What about Russia?

That's a separate issue. We will tackle that another time.

Can you convey to Jerusalem the importance of this troop reduction?

Yes, but no promises.

All right. Thank you, everyone.

We'll meet again tomorrow morning.

Thank you, madam.

Eliana.

We need to discuss the no-fly zone.

It's only for the Russians, not the peacekeepers.

They can't stay if they have nothing to eat.

What are you going to do, shoot down a supply plane?

We hope they won't make us face that choice.

They'll ignore it.

And you're just going to antagonize Moscow.

I'm sorry, but the no-fly zone is above my pay grade.

Perhaps your husband can talk to the prime minister.

When are we looking at?

Could be tomorrow, could be a week.

I'm not a part of those conversations anymore.

We could vet the questions.

That doesn't work in Iowa. It'll piss people off.

Even if we did, it wouldn't make a difference.

The country is preoccupied with the Jordan Valley. We're off message.

In the meantime, we can put the town halls on hold. Just do the stump.

I think we should also postpone the debate.

Dunbar'll hit you hard for that. Say you're dodging.

Have Jackie request the postponement.

- What's her reason? - I don't care.

Just as long as it isn't coming from us. Talk to her. Thank you, gentlemen.

What's next?

Uh, you're slated for fundraising calls until 4:15, then a DOD briefing.

Also, your friend from The Sentinel called, Tim Corbet.

Thank you.

You know, I can fold my own clothes.

Took me two seconds.

You remember when we shared a room my senior year?

And if I left, like, one sock on the floor, you'd freak?

Yeah, I started doing that on purpose, just to see you flip out.

Yeah. I remember.

Come on, leave it. Be a rebel.

Hey, sweetie.

Well, tell her if it wiggles, it means it's gonna fall out.

Okay. Let me talk to her.

Hi!

Uh, now, listen to me. You--

I know your mom doesn't want you playing with it,

so you have to do what she says.

Well, because the tooth fairy doesn't want fingerprints all over it.

Okay, I'll do it, but you have to promise me

that you and your brother will stop playing with your tooth.

Okay, you ready?

Are you super ready?

Boogala, boogala, boogala, boogala, boogala.

Okay. Put your mom back on.

How much of a postponement?

Until we get this crisis resolved.

Dunbar will see right through that.

Not if it's coming from you.

Say you want to focus on meeting people face to face, not a televised debate.

We'll back you up.

All right, I'll talk to my staff.

We'll draft some language and I'll run it past you.

Jackie?

I want to talk to you about what happened a couple weeks ago.

- I crossed a line. - Remy, you don't have to.

I want to. I want to explain myself.

I still have strong feelings, I'm not gonna deny that.

Maybe a different job... a different time, different place.

But, uh...

Look...

I've loved people before, and I've learned to let 'em go.

I'm not gonna put you in that position again.

It's been hard for me, too.

Hm...

You've got work.

I'm glad you said something.

Hello?

Tim, it's Frank.

I'm sorry it took me all day to get back to you.

Ah, no worries. Your plate must be pretty full.

Well, more than I'd like at the moment.

Is this a bad time?

I think I can spare a few minutes for the President of the United States.

- Are you good? - Yeah.

Good. Uh, last kid got off to college,

so Beth and I are on our own.

Finally. Yeah, the business is strong.

I'm actually, uh, I'm thinking of expanding to Glenwood Canyon.

That's great.

Listen, I called because that, uh... that writer reached out to me.

You know, the one doing your book.

Said, uh, he wanted to talk about The Sentinel.

What'd you say?

I said I was in a rush and I'd call him back later.

I didn't want to say more without talking to you first.

Well, he should've checked with me beforehand.

I don't want him harassing my friends.

He wasn't harassing me at all. He's a nice guy, actually.

I mean, I'm happy to talk with him if it'll help your book.

Well, the book isn't really about The Sentinel,

so I don't know why he'd bother, but I'll talk to him and I'll let you know.

Whatever you need, Mr. President.

Stop that.

Hey, listen, uh, we run a half-price special for Commanders-in-Chief.

So, uh... if you're ever in Colorado with some time on your hands...

Well, I hope the same goes for ex-presidents, too.

Nope. Only sittin' ones. So you better win that damn election.

I'll do my best. Nice talking to you, Tim.

You too, Frank.

I want to set aside time for Tom Yates, in person. Tomorrow.

Yes, sir.

Yes.

Francis?

I just got off the phone with Cathy.

The Israelis are instituting the no-fly zone.

I'm scheduled to have a call tomorrow with the prime minister.

They want to cancel the call.

Let me see if I can get him on the phone now.

They just sent out a communiqué to all embassies.

Good morning.