For the purposes of this post . . .

. . . forget the fear and lost productivity that this cost New Yorkers.

My question is, how much did this little stunt cost taxpayers? And for what purpose, so Obama could use the picture of Air Force One with the Statue of Liberty in the background in campaign ads in 2012?

And if I might ask a follow-up, Mr. Gibbs, why hasn't whoever ultimately authorized this maneuver been fired?

This goes under "How much did this cost taxpayers, Part 2?"