Gus said: ‘Kang is focussed on the most important bases – but those are the places the rebels have targeted too.’
Pauline judged it was time to move on. ‘I’d like more information. Sophia, make sure our signals intelligence people are reading everything we can pick up from North Korea. Gus, check our latest information on North Korea’s nukes – how many, how big, like that. Chess, talk to the foreign minister of South Korea in case she has insights – she may know things we’ve missed. And I need to put out some kind of announcement about this – Jacqueline, get Sandip in here, please.’
They all left. Pauline thought about how best to explain the situation to the American people. Everything she said would be misrepresented and distorted by James Moore and his cheerleaders in the media. She needed to be crystal clear.
Sandip appeared a couple of minutes later, padding into the room in his sneakers. Pauline briefed him on Sangnam-ni.
‘This can’t be kept under wraps,’ he said. ‘The South Korean media are too good. Everything will come out.’
‘I agree. So I need to show Americans that their government is on top of the situation.’
‘Will you say that we are ready for nuclear war?’
‘No, that’s too alarmist.’
‘James Moore will ask the question.’
‘I can say we’re ready for anything.’
‘Much better. But tell me what you’re actually doing.’
‘I spoke to the president of China. He’s concerned, but says there’s no danger of regional destabilization.’
‘What action is he taking?’
‘Sending aid to North Korea – food and fuel – because he thinks the economic crisis is the real problem.’
‘Okay, practical if undramatic.’
‘It won’t do any harm, at least.’
‘What else are you doing?’
‘I don’t think this will have immediate repercussions for the US, but as a precaution I’m raising the alert level to DEFCON 4.’
‘It’s all very low key.’
‘That’s how I want it.’
‘When would you like to talk to the media?’
She looked at her watch. ‘Is ten o’clock too soon? I want to be out in front on this.’
‘Ten it is.’
‘Okay.’
‘Thank you, Madam President.’
*
Pauline enjoyed press conferences. By and large, the White House correspondents were intelligent men and women who understood that politics was rarely simple. They asked her challenging questions and she tried to give them honest answers. She enjoyed the cut and thrust of debate when it was genuinely about the issues, and not just posturing.
She had seen historic photos of past press conferences, when the correspondents were all men in suits with white shirts and ties. Now the group included women, and the dress code was more relaxed, with the TV crews in sweatshirts and trainers.
Pauline had been nervous at her very first press conference, twenty years ago. She had been a Chicago city alderman. Chicago was a Democrat city, and Republican aldermen were almost unknown, so she had run as an independent. Because of her record as a champion gymnast she had become an advocate for better athletic facilities, and that was what her first press conference had been about. Her nervousness had not lasted long. As soon as she got into discussion with the journalists she relaxed, and before long she had made them laugh. After that she was never nervous again.
Today’s event went according to plan. Sandip had told the correspondents that Pauline would not answer questions about her daughter, and that if anyone asked such a question the press conference would immediately come to an end. Pauline half expected that someone would break the rule, but no one did.
She talked about her conversation with Chen, she told them about DEFCON 4, and she finished with the words she wanted them to take home: ‘America is ready for anything.’
She answered questions from the senior correspondents and then, with just a minute or two left, she called on Ricardo Alvarez from the hostile New York Mail.
He said: ‘Earlier today James Moore was asked about the crisis in North Korea and he said that in these circumstances America needs to be led by a man. What do you say to that, Madam President?’
There was a chuckle around the room, though Pauline noticed that the women were not laughing.
The question did not surprise her. Sandip had told her about Moore’s misogynist remark. She had said it was a blunder that would deprive Moore of many women’s support, and Sandip had said: ‘My mother thinks he’s right.’ Not all women were feminists.