Caldera Resigns
Louis Caldera, director of the White House Military Office, the same one responsible for the recent NYC flyover, has resigned. In his resignation letter to a furious President Obama, Caldera wrote that the situation had become a distraction—an extremely expensive distraction, too. According to military officials, the mission and accompanying photo shoot cost the American people $328,835. The White House also released a seven-page report and a photo of the flyover yesterday (the report can be downloaded here). The report points to a series of miscommunications, namely that Caldera failed to read an email informing him of the flyover until after the incident had already occurred. According to CNN, the sole responsiblity of informing important people such as White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs lay with Caldera. Not surprisingly, Obama has ordered a review of the White House Military Office
Tuxedo said on June 10, 2009 at 7:48 pm
“I have concluded that the controversy surrounding the Presidential Airlift Group’s aerial photo shoot over New York City has made it impossible for me to effectively lead the White House Military Office,” Caldera wrote to Obama. “Moreover, it has become a distraction to the important work you are doing as President. After much reflection, I believe it in incumbent on me to tender my resignation and step down.”