Lethal Trajectories - Michael Conley [109]
“Last, the economy will need to be aggressively transformed to support Safe Harbors in a manner comparable to America’s transition to a wartime footing in World War II. Vice President McCarty will take charge of this aspect and coordinate efforts with all appropriate departments and parties.”
“Thank you, Admiral Coxen. As usual, you did a superb job of capturing the essentials. There’ll be a ton of staff work to do, and we’ll need to stay on target. Let me know if there are any snags along the way, Admiral.”
“Mr. Vice President,” asked Secretary Cartright, “how are you going to position your speech to Congress on the sixteenth?”
Clayton took a quick look at his notes and then replied, “I’ll first explain the Saudi situation and assure the American people that we’ll not cave to Mustafa’s demands; that we’ll continue to support Israel and that we’ll ask the world to join in this cause—hopefully with China as a partner. I’ll explain this is unlike any crisis we’ve experienced before and that it will require everyone to make sacrifices, in the form of rationing and getting used to living with less.
“I’ll then introduce the perfect storm concept and explain why we need to address this host of pressing challenges all at the same time. The problems we’ve put off addressing for decades—spurred by rising oil prices—are now about to implode around us. I’ll tell them we have a plan to deal with the crisis and explain as much of it as we’re prepared to unveil by October sixteenth. I’ll make no effort to spoon-feed them or downplay the magnitude of the crisis. This will be a transparent effort. They need to know the truth, as hard as it may be to swallow.
“I’m also going to ask Congress for access to the executive powers accorded to the president in time of war, perhaps through the economic equivalent of a declaration of war. The last thing we need is for Congress to nitpick every detail. Safe Harbors will be presented, sold, and executed as a package; there’s precious little time for extended debate on each component.”
As Clayton brought the meeting to a close, the SWAT team members rose to their feet, applauding. He nodded sheepishly, gratified by their show of support. He covered his embarrassment with a few last-minute logistic details and reminded them to report back to Admiral Coxen in the morning.
“Thanks again for coming, folks,” he said, and adjourned the meeting. He thanked each departing team member personally as they left. As he shook Elizabeth Cartright’s hand, he asked her to stick around for a few minutes. He also whispered in Jack’s ear, asking him to stay until he finished talking with Elizabeth.
After the rest of the exhausted team had left, Clayton invited Elizabeth into his den to discuss an entirely different topic. He poured a couple of drinks and motioned toward a pair of chairs by the fireplace.
“What did you think of the meeting tonight, Elizabeth?
“The old Gulf War phrase ‘shock and awe’ comes to mind. In many respects, it was almost surreal—as though we were creating a whole new world—a new American and international order.”
“That’s well put. Do you think it’s doable?”
“The cold reality is that we don’t have any other choices,” she responded. “Our economy runs on oil, the global economy runs on oil, and suddenly a huge chunk of that oil is no longer available. We can’t just flip a switch and make it come back, nor can we take it back by military force. There are simply no easy answers. That’s our new reality.”
“Do you think we can sell the American people on the true magnitude