The Contender (2000)

Jeff Bridges: President Jackson Evans

Photos 

Quotes 

• President Jackson Evans : [adressing the Congress]  Napoleon once said when asked to explain the lack of great statesmen in the world, that "to get power you need to display absolute pettiness; to exercise power, you need to show true greatness." Such pettiness and greatness are rarely found in one person... Laine Hanson has asked that I allow her to step aside. She asked me to do this because she wants my presidency to end on a note of triumph and not controversey. Understand, those of you who worked to bring Laine Hanson down, that she asked to have her name withdrawn from consideration, NOT because she isn't great, but because she isn't petty. Because those two forms of leadership traits could not live in her body or her soul. Greatness. It comes in many forms, sometimes it comes in the form of sacrifice - that's the loneliest form.

• President Jackson Evans : Who doesn't want a shortcut to greatness?

• President Jackson Evans : You're the future of the Democratic party. And you always will be.

• Shelly Runyon : There's a reason they call me Honest Shell.

  President Jackson Evans : Irony, Shelly.

• Timmy : Being the vice-president is better than being the president.

  President Jackson Evans : Oh, I'm sure you are right.

  Timmy : Because nobody wants to shoot the vice-president.

• President Jackson Evans : I should have come down here and pointed my finger your way...

  [focuses his gaze and points his finger at Rep. Shelley Runyon] 

  President Jackson Evans : ... pointed my finger YOUR way, and asked "Have you no decency, sir?"

• President Jackson Evans : I'll die before Shelly Runyon checkmates me.

• President Jackson Evans : Mr. Chairman, let's just say..."I'm guilty but not responsible", hmm?

• President Jackson Evans : [speaking of Rep. Reginald Webster]  Well, he may not know his right from his left, but he does know the difference between right and wrong.

• President Jackson Evans : [missing a bowling roll]  Well, that's what I get for my Leftist tendencies.

• President Jackson Evans : [outside the White House, walking away from the party]  Well, can I tell you I'm just bustin' to know what really happened?

  Laine Hanson : You mean, this would just be between Laine and the President?

  President Jackson Evans : I'll go one better. This will be between Laine and Jackson.

• Shelly Runyon : Mr. President.

  President Jackson Evans : Yes, Shelly?

  Shelly Runyon : You set me up.

  President Jackson Evans : Well, just this once.