President Obama serenades ABC reporter Sunlen Miller...As if the looming government shutdown was the furthest thing from his mind, President Obama dropped into the Air Force One press cabin late into Wednesday night's flight from New York to Washington to wish reporter Sunlen Miller of ABC a happy birthday. (Above: The President carries a mid-flight birthday cake)
"I have an important announcement to make,” President Obama said as he entered.
The reporters were no doubt hoping for a headline-making tidbit about the budget negotiations, since they were speeding home so the President could have a late-night meeting with Congressional leadership. But the President instead asked them to sing "Happy Birthday" for Miller.
One of the flight attendants brought in a big chocolate raspberry cake with candles on it, and the President, his shirtsleeves rolled up, held it while Miller blew out the candles.
“This is your third birthday with me?” President Obama asked.
“This is my fourth,” Miller replied.
“How come you look so much better than me?” The President asked, smiling. “Guys, I expect you to eat this up,” he added, referring to the cake.
Celebrating the birthdays o
f members of his press pool is not an unusual move for the President; one of his more memorable birthday moments was in 2009, when he presented Helen Thomas with birthday cupcakes in the briefing room, for her 89th birthday, which was also the President's 48th birthday. Thomas left the press corps amidst sad and scandalous circumstances before celebrating her 90th birthday.The President was scheduled to meet with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) at 8:45 PM when he returned to the White House, a tete-a-tete planned late in the day.
As the President turned to leave, Reuters reporterJeff Mason asked “Sir, anything about the budget?”
Mr. Obama touched his arm and replied “No,” before exiting the cabin.
A few minutes later Air Force One was on the ground at Andrews Air Force Base, touching down at 8:07 PM, according to pool. Marine One took off for the White House at 8:21 pm.
The late night meeting, two hours long, produced no solution to the budget crisis. In New York, the President spoke at the 20th Anniversary Gala for the National Action Network.
*Photos by Pete Souza/White House. Top photo is from an Air Force One birthday celebration for Military Aide Major Barrett Bernard during a flight from Seattle, Wash., to Columbus, Ohio, Aug. 17, 2010.
