In Washington D.C., a secret strategy meeting attended by retired General Edward G. Lansdale discussed 2 questions: whether to keep the U.S. bases in the Philippines; if yes, how to shift control of the AFP from Ver to the RAM. US Sen. Paul Laxalt visited Marcos to convey Reagan's concerns about the communist threat and to discuss CIA director William Casey's idea of holding snap elections, if only to disarm his liberal critics in America. Joaquin "Chino" Roces launched the "Cory Aquino for President Movement" (CAPM).
Samantala, pinoproblemang mabuti ng oposisyon kung sinong kandidato ang itatapat nila kay Marcos. Malinaw na kailangang magkaisa lahat ng grupong anti-Marcos, Kanan at Kaliwa. Pakiramdam ng marami, ang makakatalo lang kay Marcos ay isang Aquino; kung hindi si Butz, si Cory. Pero hindi raw popular sa hanay ng mga aktibista ang elitistang si Butz. Si Cory naman ay hindi interesado noong una; ayaw niya kasing tabunan si Salvador "Doy" Laurel, kababata ni Ninoy, na matagal nang ambisyon maging presidente at naghahanda nang kumandidato.