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Private Screening For CBS's New Political Drama "Madam Secretary" Held In Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON (CBS) -- Flashbulbs popped as former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright greeted the cast of the new CBS political drama Madam Secretary starring Téa Leoni. Leoni plays Elizabeth McCord, a former CIA agent, now a college professor, whose old mentor is president and asks her to step in as secretary of state.

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The invitation-only screening was full of Washington insiders such as CBS "Face the Nation"'s Bob Schieffer.

"As far as I can tell, I think she'll be a great secretary of state," Schieffer said.

"Women are particularly well-poised to be secretary of state because I think we are great diplomats," said Leoni.

Tim Daly plays her supportive husband, Henry. "I have an opportunity to play someone confident enough to empower his wife to do whatever she wants," Daly said.

Executive producer Morgan Freeman said he was looking for a story with a strong woman. "We've got a lot of images of strong females out there on TV.  Coming up with a different one, a unique one was more important," Freeman said."

Cast member Bebe Neuwirth said, "Women are not always portrayed in ways real women appreciate."

Albright says "Madam Secretary" shows how far women have come.

"My youngest granddaughter, when she turned 7 about five years ago, said, 'What's the big deal about Grandma Maddie being secretary of state? Only girls are secretary of state.'"

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