Obama "Furious" Over Air Force One Photo-Op

(AP Photo/Jason McLane)

An official says that White House Military Office Director Louis Caldera has not yet been called to the presidential woodshed, but that President Obama did have - what the official termed - "an appropriately-toned conversation" about the flyover incident with Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel.

Caldera apologized yesterday "for any distress the flight caused."

The White House has out the word that Mr. Obama was "furious" that some New Yorkers had been scared by the unannounced low-level flyover by one of the 747s that serve as Air Force One, followed by an F-16 warplane.

You can read more about the incident and reaction here.

Update 2 p.m. ET: A White House official says Caldera was called to a meeting today with Emanual and Deputy Chief of Staff Jim Messina. The official says he's "pretty sure the meeting was not pleasant."

---

(CBS)

Mark Knoller is a CBS News White House correspondent. You can read more of his posts in Hotsheet here.

[thadius5]

Yes, of course, if you're the President you know everything. Like how many cans of soup there are in the White House Kitchen. Please, Gimme a dam break!

[markavelli]

"Obama knew about it."
Why would he know about it? Do you think he knows where his helicopter is at all times? Did you know there are two identical presidential 747's? as well as helicopters? do you think he knows where both are at all times?
The presidential 747 is not called "air force one" unless the president is on the plane. The helicopter is also called air force one, but only when the president is on the plane....

[hwy71so]

Obama knew about it. The Air Force doesn't just fly AF1 willy nilly without authorization. He's lying trying to save face with the New Yorkers.

What a tasteless slob.

[craigh41]

Hello folks, this was a mental blunder on the part of Caldera, he should be canned for it - but by no means is this something Obama cooked up - feel free to go to google images and you will find years worth of Air Force 1 photos flying over US Landmarks - this has been done for years and years. One insensitive bonehead made a major mistake - the only mistake Obama may make is if he doesn't deal with it harshly.

[longtree-2009]

obama's staff just wasted 385K, approximately, of taxpayer monies. this after obama asked for a 100 million cut in spending from his staff. obama, if he has stones, will fire louis caldera since it was louis's approval, as director of WH military office, that allowed the flight mission to waste taxpayer monies for photo ops. only obama's cult followers are looking the other way. there is no change with obama, same old politics especially if obama does not fire louis. now that obama knows louis caldera is responsible, he should fire him. simple really.

[endurorob]

Maybe Caldera is a "leftover" from the Bush Admin. who hasn't been replaced and was wanting to make President Obama look bad. I'm sure some of you conspiracy theorists can wrap your mind around that -- you can take off your tinfoil hats first. I'd say it was as sane as saying he approved it and there's a huge coverup. Wackos.

Get a grip all. President Obama is going to be here for 8 more years, people. Buck up. Hold onto your guns -- we know how they comfort you -- and wait it out, like we waited out 8 years of George Bush insanity, torture, an illegal war and not preventing 911 when he had a chance. These 8 years will not be bad for you. I predict you'll be smiling by year 2.
Posted by beautifulwitch at 6:04 PM : Apr 28, 2009


Caldera is not a Bush leftover he is an Obama appointee. He was also secratary of the Army under Clinton.

[endurorob]

now, the shoe's on the other foot and your brilliant leader knows nothing . . . sees nothing . . . hears nothing!

Give me a break.
Posted by joule18 at 8:40 PM : Apr 28, 2009


Their fearless leader is Sgt. Schultz?

[joule18]

They could have decreased their carbon footprint, saved a lot of dollars and not caused people to freak out if they had just PHOTO SHOPPED IT!

[joule18]

but NO WAY would the POTUS have prior knowledge about something so minor in terms of process and most certainly would not have approved something so assinine
Posted by craigh41 at 12:39 PM : Apr 28, 2009

Funny, you fools think that GWB knew everything and saw everything that everyone did under his watch and said nasty things regarding anything that when wrong at any level . . . now, the shoe's on the other foot and your brilliant leader knows nothing . . . sees nothing . . . hears nothing!

Give me a break.

[beautifulwitch]

Maybe Caldera is a "leftover" from the Bush Admin. who hasn't been replaced and was wanting to make President Obama look bad. I'm sure some of you conspiracy theorists can wrap your mind around that -- you can take off your tinfoil hats first. I'd say it was as sane as saying he approved it and there's a huge coverup. Wackos.

Get a grip all. President Obama is going to be here for 8 more years, people. Buck up. Hold onto your guns -- we know how they comfort you -- and wait it out, like we waited out 8 years of George Bush insanity, torture, an illegal war and not preventing 911 when he had a chance. These 8 years will not be bad for you. I predict you'll be smiling by year 2.