Update: Apparently, Obama was furious. Louis Caldera, who approved the mission, was called into the office with Rahm Emanuel. Deputy chief of staff Jim Messina was also there but I'm sure Emanuel didn't need any backing up.
Original post
What a boneheaded move this was.
It scared New Yorkers. Mayor Bloomberg didn't even know about it and is madder than a hornet, and I'm sure it cost a bunch of money to send up two airplanes-- for a photo op? Doesn't sound like belt tightening to me. (update on tax dollars here)
An administration official says a presidential Boeing 747 and a fighter jet flew low near ground zero in New York City Monday because the White House Military Office wanted to update its file photo of the president's plane near the Statue of Liberty.
This official said the White House Military Office told the Federal Aviation Administration that it periodically updates file photos of Air Force One near national landmarks, like the statute in New York harbor and the Grand Canyon. AP
