Flyover fallout: Ciao, Caldera
President Obama today accepted the resignation of Louis Caldera as director of the White House Military Office. Caldera, you’ll recall, green-lighted the Air Force One photo-op around the Statue of Liberty (above — it loses a lot in the reduction) that created a major embarrassment for the administration. The stunt cost $300,000 and caused panic in the streets of New York City, where low-flying planes don’t always mean skywriting.
A seven-page report on the matter by White House Deputy Chief of Staff Jim Messina found “structural and organizational ambiguities” in the White House Military Office and recommended a “comprehensive study” of the office’s function. In a letter to the president, Caldera cited “controversy” and “distraction” in tendering his resignation, effective May 22. The White House, under pressure to release the photos, attached one to the announcement about Caldera.
Unsurprising: That the news came over the transom after 4 pm on a Friday. Somewhat surprising: Very nice picture.
