"Using the minutes of this meeting, we can ensure that AJ has all the options on the table," reviewing reports drafted by staff was part of his function, "but I also think the address is the best forum for this and will indicate that there is consensus on this. We need to coordinate the press strategy after the announcement." Part of the Chief of Staff's job was to filter up to the president and then back down, but Mike wasn't absolutely controlling, because iron-fist tactics were off-putting and closed down avenues of consideration.

...and AJ was a guy that liked to consider all angles. He'd have been there for that meeting, but he had other meetings that were important too, things even a president couldn't wriggle out of.

"Madam Vice President, I would advise, if your schedule allows for it, to consider going on some Sunday shows; if we schedule them ahead of time before the presidential address, we will be driving up engagement for the address itself. Charlotte," he indicated one of his staffers, female, one of the president's speechwriters for national security matters, "can coordinate with your prep staff with the remarks that we're already preparing for the president when he decides on forum and based on what sort of followup foreign negotiation strategy we're going to pursue. Bill, if you wish, I think we need to sit down and work out a schedule of who we need to set up calls with for AJ."

The President was going to be working as hard as any of them the rest of the week, especially as he started to sound out the EU powers. Bill and Mike had State experience and could assist with the setups, as Mike's Russian was fluent, but these delicate conversations would be between the heads of state. 

Mike had the feeling that he'd be running this well into the night and envisioned enough coffee and sandwiches to get his staff through.

"Unless there is something further to add regarding the selection of venues for press engagement and forums for foreign policy, we need to turn to the military preparations, as this touches both. Secretary Farran, General Edwards, we will need to communicate to the public and other world governments what or military preparations are going to look like. This includes negotiating with signatories, the primary parties anyway, to the Outer Space Treaty to provide for a military presence in space as a defensive measure against extra-solar potential threats. It may be necessary for the president to communicate a clear vision of what we are going to do as a government to address the potential threats that we now know exist."

His tone was somber, but his delivery flat, Mike didn't do a lot of camera style performance when there wasn't a camera on or he wasn't trying to persuade someone, this was his 'all business' persona, especially in an environment where emotions were sampled carefully. This was a new White House in crisis management and he knew that leaks happened. Florid language, raised voices, impassioned tones would be noted and relayed to the press no matter how much leakproofing you tried to do. 

"The President would like your best proposals on how to structure our military, including radical options, in order to address this threat. What assets will be needed, including those that can be converted over from existing organizations." The hope was that there were proposals already being considered in preparation for the meeting.