Uh-huh

... become president because of the recount.

And that gave me the opportunity to actually pursue the position which I was just curious, to be honest.

I was actually calling around the country trying to find out who would-- who became the, the White House photographer, just out of curiosity.

And the more I inquired and talked to as many people as I could, the more I realized I really have a shot at this position.

They always say that timing is everything, and I literally discovered by accident that I was invited to a Christmas party in Austin, Texas, and it was perfect timing because the candidate became President-elect Bush after the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Bush campaign.

And so I thought, "This is where I'll make my pitch for the job." And it was late December, and I was prepared.

Hm

And I'm wondering if anything on that day that you were like, wow, there's something in his eyes that changed or...

I just saw focus and determination.

And I also saw that he really kind of stepped up for leadership.

I remember, for example, Dan was talking about the tension aboard the airplane because when we took off from Florida...

I walked into the private cabin, just taking a chance, because I was trying to find him, and literally I walked into an argument with he and Chief of Staff Andy Card.

They're literally arguing about traveling back to Washington, going back and forth and back and forth, because he really wanted to get back to Washington.

He was really frustrated that he wasn't able to go.

But he gets up with the bullhorn and it's so iconic.