Swing Vote (2008)
Kevin Costner: Bud Johnson
Photos
Quotes
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Bud Johnson : [reading a letter] If this is one of the richest countries in the world, why is it so many of us can barely afford living here?'
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Bud Johnson : You guys protect the President!
Lewis : She's... she's smarter.
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Bud Johnson : What's that?
Molly Johnson : Egg salad.
Bud Johnson : Egg salad?
Molly Johnson : You like egg salad.
Bud Johnson : Yeah but not every damn day.
Molly Johnson : We're on a budget.
Bud Johnson : Well you've got to stir it up a bit.
Molly Johnson : You want to eat better? Drink less beer.
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Molly Johnson : I want to live with Mom.
Bud Johnson : So do I.
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[Bud begins the Last Debate between President Boone and Donald Greenleaf]
Bud Johnson : Mr. President, Mr. Greenleaf. I'd like to thank you for your hospitality. It's been real interesting. I've said a lot of thing I didn't mean. and you both made a lot of promises... you probably won't be able to keep. To be honest, the last 10 days have felt like a weird dream. What was once kinda funny, isn't anymore. From what I've read, I've... well, I've scared the hell out of America. I know that the world is watching, maybe even laughing. people on my own TV, are saying that America, somehow, deserves this moment. Guess that means me. I can't say that I've been much of anything most of my life. It's sorta like somewhere along the way... I checked out and it's not like I had big dreams to begin with. but I had something once. I had something close to faith or hope or whatever... whatever word you want to use for how good life could be. But then, the years start moving quicker and all of a sudden... what's going good out there for every else isn't going so good for you. But, tonight I feel... embarrassed. I've had my chances, more than most. I've grown up in a country where if I decided to do more with my life than just drift and drink that I could be standing where... where maybe you stand tonight. Instead, I've taken freely and I've given nothing. I'm ashamed in front of my daughter. And my country. I've never served or sacrificed. The only heavy lifting I've been asked is simple stuff, like... pay attention. Vote. For America has a... if America has a true enemy tonight, I guess it's me. Tonight a below average man is going to choose between two exceptional men. Tomorrow, one man's vote is going to make a difference... 'Cause tomorrow we're gonna have a President. And not just someone to fill a chair in Washington. We need someone who's bigger than their speeches. The kind of President we learned about in school. America needs a big thinker. You know, like a giant, really. Someone who has the good sense to get in front of our problems. Somebody who has the wisdom to lead to us a place where we're at peace with ourselves and the world. And just for the record, I want you both... I want you both to know that I think a hell of lot of you. Tonight, I am going to speak for people I have never met... whose letters touched me in a way I didn't think was possible. My first question comes from... Peter Manthis, in Henderson, Kentucky. "Dear Mr. Johnson... my wife and I have three little girls. We both work two jobs just trying to make ends meet. And some weeks, we don't make it. When you work hard and you still can't take care of your family... you start to question yourself as a provider, as a man. I know I am one. I fought for my country and I'm proud of it. But it scares me to think about what would happen if one of my kids got sick. Can you ask the candidates, if we are the richest country in the world... how come some many of us can barely afford to live here?"
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Bud Johnson : I know exactly what you mean Andy.
President Andrew Boone : Do you?
Bud Johnson : Maybe not...
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Bud Johnson : Jesus, Molly, you've got to quit being such a smartass.
Molly Johnson : And *you* have to stop using 'Jesus' as a cussword all the time. He's a billion people's Saviour.
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Kate Madison : Thanks Bud. Why don't we get started with your opinion of gay marriage?
Bud Johnson : Oh, shit, do we uh, do we have to?
Kate Madison : So you're against it?
Bud Johnson : I- No, uh, I didn't say that.
Kate Madison : Oh. Then what is your position?
Bud Johnson : Well I don't have a position, all right. To tell you the truth I don't give a rat's ass about it. My dad always said whatever king does in his castle is his business, I guess the same can go for- ha I guess the same can go for two queens.
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Bud Johnson : America needs someone who's bigger than their speeches.
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Bud Johnson : I'll call them back.
Molly Johnson : If we had a phone you could call them back.
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Bud Johnson : Did you save me any hot water?
Molly Johnson : I don't know, did the water heater fix itself?
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Kate Madison : [bowling] Remember when we were kids? This was the only thing to do on weekends.
Bud Johnson : [laughs] It still is.
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President Andrew Boone : Do you like football?
Bud Johnson : I'm an American aren't I?
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Molly Johnson : Maybe I should tell them the truth.
Bud Johnson : What're you talking about? Tell them what?
Molly Johnson : That *I* was the one who voted while you got drunk. I don't CARE if they take me away!
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Molly Johnson : Don't forget today.
Bud Johnson : Yeah uh, what's today?
Molly Johnson : Election Day, dummy. I'm supposed to do a report on your voting, remember?
Bud Johnson : Well I already told you before, I'm not even registered.
Molly Johnson : I registered for you, in the mail.
Bud Johnson : Well that's great. I'll get jury duty now...
Molly Johnson : It's your civic responsibility.
Bud Johnson : My what?
Molly Johnson : It's your civic responsibility.
Bud Johnson : My civic responsibility, where are you learning this crap?
Molly Johnson : Mrs. Abernathy.
Bud Johnson : Yeah, well stay away from her.
Molly Johnson : She's my teacher.
Bud Johnson : Ah.
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Molly Johnson : Sign this.
Bud Johnson : What is it?
Molly Johnson : A questionnaire. I'm supposed to ask you about your politics.
Bud Johnson : Well uh, go ahead...
Molly Johnson : I already filled it in. I wanted you to sound smart.
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Kate Madison : The only question is who you voted for, and are you going to vote the same way?
Bud Johnson : Remind me again, uh, who's running?
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President Andrew Boone : Sometimes you gotta figure out what you want in this life. Then you have to decide how much this
[is]
President Andrew Boone : worth to you. Because they got to put it on your tombstone. It's your legacy. A measure of what you left behind.
Bud Johnson : Are we, uh, are we still talking about the job?
President Andrew Boone : Uh...
Bud Johnson : The lobby business?
President Andrew Boone : Right, forget that. It's not worth it.
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[an apologetic Kate arrives at Bud and Molly's trailer]
Kate Madison : I just want to talk to you.
Bud Johnson : I don't have time, Kate. I'm moderating a Presidential debate tomorrow night in front of a zillion people. So as much as I'd love for you to make an ass out of me again on TV, I kinda have some preparing to do. I have to catch up on the issues. Like *all of them*!
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[President Boone and Bud are having a private conversation on a hill overlooking Air Force One]
President Andrew Boone : Do you think much about your future?
Bud Johnson : What future?
President Andrew Boone : I know what you mean. We all worry about the sun down years. Sooner or later, all this hoopla is gonna die down. They're gonna build me a library and you're gonna be another face in the crowd.
Bud Johnson : Can't wait.
President Andrew Boone : What you need to think about is security. Now I've got a friend who might have a job for you. In the lobby business.
Bud Johnson : Like opening doors for people?
President Andrew Boone : [laughs] Very astute! Open doors to politicians. And their checkbooks. People really like you, Bud. They feel like you're one of them.
Bud Johnson : I'm not quite following you, Andy.
President Andrew Boone : [realizing Bud cannot be bribed, Boone is quietly embarrassed] Sometimes you gotta figure out what you want in this life. Then you have to decide how much it's worth to you. Because they're gonna put it on your tombstone. It's your legacy. A measure of what you left behind.
Bud Johnson : Are we... are we still talking about the job? The lobby business?
President Andrew Boone : Right. Forget that. It's not worth it. And thank you.
