Obama White House Junior Staffers Traipse Through Rose Garden Lawn
EmailABC News’ Karen Travers, Sunlen Miller and Vija Udenans Report:
This evening President Obama took off from the South Lawn of the White House for his maiden voyage on Marine One, the helicopter that transports him on short distances and tonight takes him to his first ride on Air Force One, the 747 waiting for him at Andrews Air Force Base.
The President walked alone across the South Lawn grass, gave a quick wave to the press and boarded Marine One. But, first he stopped to shake the hand of the very startled, caught off-guard Marine who was standing at attention at the steps to the helicopter.
Joining President Obama for the ride were Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, Trip Director Marvin Nicholson and personal aide Reggie Love.
Several junior staffers from the West Wing gathered on the track just off the South Lawn to watch the helicopter lift off.
They got there by walking out of the West Wing – and directly across the grass in the Rose Garden. When the helicopter disappeared out of eyesight, the staffers returned to their offices the same way they got there, right through the Rose Garden.
There were spectators visible in the windows of the Blue Room on the State Floor of the White House residence.
After boarding the presidential aircraft at Andrews AFB, Obama stopped by the press cabin in the back of the plane. He was wearing an Air Force One flight jacket and said his helicopter ride was "very smooth, very impressive," noting that he saw the Washington Monument.
Obama spoke to reporters on board about the stimulus plan and said it was important to make sure the recovery package is of significant size to do what is needed to create jobs. He said that every economist will agree if you have a trillion dollars lost, the range is $800 billion for the recovery plan. Obama said that is the scale and they are in range.
–Karen Travers, Sunlen Miller and Vija Udenans
Sen. DeMint: GOP Race Could Go Until Convention 
Obama Avoids Questions on Contraception Rule
Who Cares?
Posted by: Sowhat | February 5, 2009, 6:29 pm 6:29 pm
We cats are just wondering if PBO still “absolutely” support his Labor-Secretary-Nominee after it was exposed, although PBO knew it, that her husband cheated taxes on his business.
Gibbs seems to think it is her husband’s problem, not her’s, so PBO absolutely supports her.
Posted by: two cats | February 5, 2009, 6:29 pm 6:29 pm
Did they trample the roses?
Too bad Obama doesn’t realize that simply throwing $800 billion around won’t fix the economy. The money needs to be targeted, timely, and temporary… hmmm, trying to think where I’ve heard that…
And creating government jobs with taxpayer money will never return more in taxes than we paid into the jobs themselves. Just sayin’.
Posted by: marylou | February 5, 2009, 6:30 pm 6:30 pm
Why does this even matter?
Posted by: Jennifer | February 5, 2009, 6:31 pm 6:31 pm
There is protocol by people who have respect for the traditions long held by the White House. If you have no respect for the history of the America as symbolized by the property, stay out of it.
Posted by: whatever | February 5, 2009, 6:36 pm 6:36 pm
Has anyone heard from Tony Rezko lately? He’s still in prison in Illinois, right? Have the hours and hours of tapes from Blago, including his conversations with Rahm, been vetted by the Justice Department yet?
Posted by: Absolutely | February 5, 2009, 6:39 pm 6:39 pm
Have no interest in Obama or any of his so called friends. Don’t trust him – He is like a little college boy playing school. Embarrassing to America.
Posted by: Fae | February 5, 2009, 6:39 pm 6:39 pm
Is Jake trying to say the Rose Garden grass is sacrosanct and not to be walked on? Because I remember numerous Rose Garden press conferences by all recent Presidents, in which folding chairs are set up on the lawn and the journalists who sit in them must surely walk across that very lawn to get to those chairs so they can ask their questions.
Posted by: Lisa | February 5, 2009, 6:39 pm 6:39 pm
“He was wearing an Air Force One flight jacket”
Ew. Let’s just hope He doesn’t put up a “Mission Accomplished” banner. It’s kind of amazing the military lets Emanuel and Gibbs go INTO restricted air space.
Posted by: Le Petit Prince | February 5, 2009, 6:47 pm 6:47 pm
The blind leading the blind.
Posted by: RL in Illinois | February 5, 2009, 6:50 pm 6:50 pm
Are we to think someone did soemthing wrong? Are we think the JR staffers should not have done what they did? Are the people peering out of the windows doing something wrong? Or is this to show what huge dummies they all are for watching Pres Obama do a first? Was the Bush WH more cool? Did it get us anywhere national or globially? What is all this to mean? Please try to get some news going Mr Tapper.I guess next you will advise us if any staffer walks on the grass or pavement at times not scheduled. I await with baited breathe your next expo.
Posted by: Bonnie Kimberly | February 5, 2009, 6:50 pm 6:50 pm
Look for the WhiteHouse grounds to need a complete re-landscaping before this clown’s first term is over.
And brackO. Return the Marines salute, don’t shake his hand like you were still campaigning for the job you landed(that is definitely above your pay scale).
Posted by: shrek | February 5, 2009, 6:51 pm 6:51 pm
“Return the Marines salute, don’t shake his hand like you were still campaigning … ”
Or He could just pretend the soldier’s in a basketball uniform, and bestow a pat on the butt.
Posted by: Le Petit Prince | February 5, 2009, 7:01 pm 7:01 pm
Walked across the lawn?! Coatless in the Oval Office? Heavens to Elizabeth! This is serious un-news. Surely there are more important things going on in the world.
Posted by: Etaoin Shrdlu | February 5, 2009, 7:02 pm 7:02 pm
What exactly is a “personal aide”? I know Reggie Love has always been his “body man” and hoops partner, but now that he’s president, why is this guy flying on AF1?
Posted by: shannon | February 5, 2009, 7:11 pm 7:11 pm
“And this is news why?”
How ELSE would you know that even with the Secret Service, Emanuel AND Gibbs along on the jaunt, Jughead was ALSO accompanied by “personal assistant Reggie Love” …
Reggie’s job may be, sort of like a wife, to restrain Jughead from demanding Marine One emblazon His name and logo in sky-writing.
Posted by: Powderpuff Derby | February 5, 2009, 7:11 pm 7:11 pm
Too bad somebody wasn’t there to chronicle Obama’s first dump in the Oval Office toilet.
Unless there was some implied slight suggested by reporting the route taken by “junior staffers”, what is the interest in this? If there was some implied slight, why be so indirect as to lose the point?
Is this the type of reporting on the president we can expect for the next four years? Mindless.
Posted by: Doug | February 5, 2009, 7:14 pm 7:14 pm
Jake –
Nice job doing circles around Gibbs today.
Posted by: devon | February 5, 2009, 7:16 pm 7:16 pm
“I know Reggie Love has always been his “body man” and hoops partner, but now that he’s president, why is this guy flying on AF1?”
If Love’s a flunky of color, maybe he’s there to improve the “diversity” of the disembarkation fotos? or airborne er massage or whatever?
Posted by: Elizabeth Ardent | February 5, 2009, 7:16 pm 7:16 pm
jpt writes:
“Obama said that is the scale and they are in range.”
oooo! What reporters got to go on the helicopter ride?
Did Jughead happen to explain how the “yacht workers” insurance exemption for pleasure boats MORE than 65 feet long — in the “stimulus” and described by SOME reporters as an “earmark” — is gonna save the busted Republic? or relieve Himself of any opinions about New Hampshire seceding from the Union?
Posted by: Elizabeth Ardent | February 5, 2009, 7:22 pm 7:22 pm
“I know Reggie Love has always been his “body man” and hoops partner, but now that he’s president, why is this guy flying on AF1?”
If Love’s a flunky of color, maybe he’s there to improve the “diversity”
hey Lizzy,
when I saw this it made me cheer OBAMA!!!
deal with it
Posted by: si se puede | February 5, 2009, 7:22 pm 7:22 pm
ABC nows is now reporting on the White House as if it were doing TMZ? Whst is the purpose of this, other than to trivialize? I realize that sometimes we all need a break from serious issues, but this is a bit over the top. Its sad to see the ‘media’ reduced to insider scuttlebutt.
Posted by: Flash Override | February 5, 2009, 7:24 pm 7:24 pm
Does anyone not care that he took a helicopter and a 747 to travel only 153 miles? What did that bit of arrogance cost the taxpayers?
Posted by: sr | February 5, 2009, 7:37 pm 7:37 pm
“when I saw this it made me cheer OBAMA!”
Yeah, well … for those who can’t make the critical-thinking cut for the Moonies, there’s always the “Obama” organization.
Posted by: General Braxton Bragg | February 5, 2009, 7:40 pm 7:40 pm
The way the economy is, why did the President use gas gussling AF1 for that sort flight instead of a more efficent private jet. Wasteful spending should start at the WH. Also, the Pres. shook the hand of the Marine Guard before boarding but did not shake hands with the pilot & co-pilot as previous Pres. have done. It would have been a courteous gesture.
Posted by: Willie C Fields jr | February 5, 2009, 7:44 pm 7:44 pm
Oh my, the carbon footprint of dear leader doesn’t matter to him.
Posted by: bill-tb | February 5, 2009, 7:46 pm 7:46 pm
Marylou: Why don’t you read the ENTIRE stimulus plan before you post anything. Now since you are the expert…..HOW WOULD YOU….YOU….YOU fix the economy smart girl?
Posted by: Madison | February 5, 2009, 7:47 pm 7:47 pm
“Does anyone not care that he took a helicopter and a 747 to travel only 153 miles? What did that bit of arrogance cost the taxpayers?”
That’s about a zillion dollars a mile for “energy independence” … and worth every penny for the video, on which He sounded incoherent, even with Gibbs in the background, apparently prompting His remarks — and looked more or less like He’d just thrown up, or been taken into custody.
Posted by: Le Petit Prince | February 5, 2009, 7:57 pm 7:57 pm
“that patting the soldiers on the butt might be sufficient, if He can’t manage a salute.”
Um, he did salute. But who cares about the truth here, right?
Posted by: Lisa | February 5, 2009, 8:11 pm 8:11 pm
To everyone criticizing his mode of travel. Are you not aware that the Secret Service and not the president is responsible for that? They are doing the job that they have been trained to do and
are experts at doing that job. They do not seek the president’s advice on how to best provide security for him.
Posted by: Lee M | February 5, 2009, 8:13 pm 8:13 pm
Does anyone know why Obama’s keeping his Chicago friend/companion/work-out buddy (Reggie Love)as a type of “body man” (Obama’s term for Reggie Love pre-election) now that he’s the president?
He has a retinue of secret service people and a cadre of butlers and house managers and assistants already provided him. Why has this same man been his constant shadow for years now? I can’t imagine he would have gotten the kind of uber security clerance needed to shadow the president. Do we allow presidents to have “body men” of their own choosing now?
He has no credentials as a security person. Obama just liked having him around and made him a “body man” in the last 5 years. It’s very weird!
Posted by: Lara | February 5, 2009, 8:38 pm 8:38 pm
With this new transparent administration I’m sure we will find out the actual cost of this trip. Can’t wait!
Posted by: Helen | February 5, 2009, 8:40 pm 8:40 pm
Perhaps Mr. Obama acknowledged the sentry on duty because he recognizes that he is a) a fellow human being and b) a guy who’s performing a normally thankless job of dubious utility out of a sense of patriotic duty. It doesn’t surprise me that a kiss-a** Republican tory would advise rushing right up to the pilot and co-pilot ostensibly as a courtesy but in fact to bask in reflected alpha-male dominance. That kind of snobbery is what’s wrong with all GOP imperial types: just ain’t happy eating a steak unless they know somebody’s gotta eat beans because of it.
Posted by: Dwight Whayle | February 5, 2009, 8:55 pm 8:55 pm
“It’s very weird!”
Too bad Reggie wasn’t around to act as train-bearer for that stupid Inaugural dress …
Posted by: Hot Couture | February 5, 2009, 8:59 pm 8:59 pm
We are now known across the world as the White House of Shame….poor judgement…poor leadership….arrogance, ….and no one in the democrat party paying taxes
Posted by: DOH-bama Cabinet of Corruption | February 5, 2009, 9:08 pm 9:08 pm
Holy Toledo. I can’t believe that there are so many bitter, petty, ugly and spiteful people out there with NOTHING else to do but criticize every time the president blows his nose. I hated Bush, but my criticism was of the significant issues, not this idiotic stuff. Obama can’t fly on a private jet because AF1 is outfitted with security that he needs. Remember how Bush flew for a day in AF1 on 9/11? THey wouldn’t let him land, and AF1 was a whole lot safer. And, Bush took AF1 for short jaunts also; did any of you complain about that? What is Obama supposed to do, buy a little plane with taxpayer money? Do you think he would be immune from criticism then?
Obama takes Reggie Love with him because he has hired him as an assistant, and assistants need to assist their bosses; therefore he must accompany his boss when he travels. Do you see him bringing 7,8,9,10 assistants? No. He has one. The assistant has job responsibilities. It’s not excessive. Whatever makes him work more effectively, more efficiently, to do what he has to do is ok with me. Rahm Emanuel is not his assistant,for goodness sake!!
So all you bitter, steamed up over nothing critics, take a chill pill.
Posted by: dejune5678 | February 5, 2009, 9:11 pm 9:11 pm
“Does anyone know why Obama’s keeping his Chicago friend/companion/work-out buddy (Reggie Love)as a type of “body man” now that he’s the president?”
EVERY President has a “body man”, Lara. Bush did, Clinton did, Reagan did, etc. Even Pres. Bartlett did on “The West Wing” (remember Charlie?) Why are you only criticizing Obama for something that is par for the course for EVERY President?
Posted by: Lisa | February 5, 2009, 9:17 pm 9:17 pm
“Do we allow presidents to have “body men” of their own choosing now?”
Um, it’s been that way as long as I can remember. Learn your history, Lara.
Posted by: Lisa | February 5, 2009, 9:19 pm 9:19 pm
OMG…..has the news media and AOL never heard of “saturation?” Thank God for the remote, or I would be having a nervous breakdown because all my senses are so numbed by the overdone reporting of BO!!! I can’t even believe it….and the stupid stories they make up also, to make sure his mug is out there ten times a day, and that people will maybe click on a misleading headline. He is very embarrassing as the leader of the US….really a clown, and I could puke when I see his long-toothed smile constantly when I’m trying to enjoy my TV program!!
Posted by: annie kowles | February 5, 2009, 9:32 pm 9:32 pm
“Thank God for the remote, or I would be having a nervous breakdown because all my senses are so numbed by the overdone reporting of BO!”
That’s the way some people feel about Puppet-pusher David Gergen, too …
Posted by: Le Petit Prince | February 5, 2009, 10:16 pm 10:16 pm
As I understood it the assistants were provided, trained, and security cleared. Who were the personal male friends that Pres. Bush, Clinton, Bush, and Reagan had that were their personal body-men before they cane to the white house?
I have never seen their names in print for past presidents, yet I’ve seen Reggie Love mentioned several times in Chicago newspaper and magazine articles, along with questions as to what he did/does for Obama (years before he was ever a candidate… having a body man is a strange thing).
He is not schooled as any kind of butler or business assistant. If Chicago newspapers and magazines can ask who this guy is and ask why he’s around all the time, why is it heretical to ask what his position is now? We as tax payers are now paying for him. I was not surprised to know he existed, just surprised to see he was needed in the white house.
So again if it’s so normal throughout history to bring your own body man into the presidency from your previous life, please name the people that were those counterparts to the last 4-5 presidents. I never watched the West Wing, but again I would have assumed any body men would have been provided to the president as apart of the natural president’s security staff. If anyone knows more about Reggie and what his qualifications are, please let us know.
Posted by: Lara | February 5, 2009, 10:34 pm 10:34 pm
“Thank God for the remote, or I would be having a nervous breakdown because all my senses are so numbed by the overdone reporting of BO!”
That’s the way some people feel about Puppet-pusher David Gergen, too …
Posted by: Le Petit Prince | Feb 5, 2009 10:16:16 PM
======================
Hearing you sentiments just bring tears to my eyes. You are human!!!! You know exactly how I felt when the Decider was in office. Dubya would be AF1 just swaggering around speaking that twangy broken english. I wanted to throw my remote at the television.
Posted by: Omentum | February 5, 2009, 11:13 pm 11:13 pm
“Obama spoke to reporters on board about the stimulus plan and said it was important to make sure the recovery package is of significant size to do what is needed to create jobs. He said that every economist will agree if you have a trillion dollars lost, the range is $800 billion for the recovery plan. Obama said that is the scale and they are in range.”
Shouldnt the stimulus be $3T or $5T? Wouldnt that be even better?
And this appeal to authority of economists is dated. Mankiw reported there are no longer any major conservative or libertarian economists who are on board with the currently proposed stimulus.
Posted by: BertieW | February 5, 2009, 11:30 pm 11:30 pm
“I would have assumed any body men would have been provided to the president as apart of the natural president’s security staff.”
Well, that’s simply not the case. They’re not like the Secret Service, provided to the President. They’re usually young people who have served as assistants during the campaign who are then carried over into doing the same job in the White House.
Posted by: Lisa | February 6, 2009, 12:13 am 12:13 am
President Obama, please stop shaking everyone’s hand! That marine… you should not have shaken his hand.
Posted by: Harrison | February 6, 2009, 1:31 am 1:31 am
Why are staffers trampling through the Rose Garden? Do we have to teach these folks how to respect the White House?
Posted by: Brian | February 6, 2009, 10:09 am 10:09 am
Why are staffers trampling through the Rose Garden? Do we have to teach these folks how to respect the White House?
****************************************************
I guess it’s not unlike implying blame on a member of the Obama staff with a previous report for an elevator fire. Readers were led to think that his repeated pushes for the elevator caused a short and smoked up the floor. As if there were no previous problem with it, and pushing floor buttons can cause a dangerous short.
Posted by: kathy | February 6, 2009, 12:38 pm 12:38 pm
Two minutes after mumbling obligatory words like “bipartisan,” “cooperation” and “support,” the Republicans have gone full-throttle to “big-spender” and party-line opposition for the sake of soudbites for “the base.”
How, then, is it either surprising or inappropriate for the President to campaign for his programs against partisan opposition?
As we heard so often during the 8 years of Bush, “elections have consequences.” At the most generous, and believe me I am being extremely generous here- Bush won his two elections by razor-thin margins. Obama and his party won theirs in a wipeout. That election SHOULD have a consequence.
It is time for the GOP to stand down and stand back. It is not mere rhetoric to say that they have “had their chance” and that their ideas have been “soundly rejected by American voters.”
Now get out of the way and let our elected leaders lead.
Posted by: bco | February 6, 2009, 3:02 pm 3:02 pm
and of course, had the entire US Senate been up for re-election, we would not be having this discussion at all.
Posted by: bco | February 6, 2009, 3:05 pm 3:05 pm