Representative James Oberstar, a Dem from Minnesota, took issue with Team Obama’s handling last week of his friend, transportation secretary Ray LaHood and his suggestion that a mileage tax may be in the works. Jake Tapper blogs:

The AP asked Gibbs about this Friday.
“Has the President weighed in on this?” a reporter asked.
“I don’t believe the President has,” Gibbs said. “I can weigh in on it and say that it is not and will not be the policy of the Obama administration.”
“So was Secretary LaHood speaking out of turn here?” asked the reporter.
“I would direct you to Secretary LaHood on that,” Gibbs said.
“Well, we actually interviewed him, so — ” said the reporter.
“Well,” said Gibbs, “call him back.”
In an interview with Congressional Quarterly, Oberstar said that LaHood “had the temerity to think . . . and what did he get? Slapped down. He’s a good man. A decent man. Don’t let him get slapped down by know-nothings.”
Oberstar then suggested that Gibbs ought to stay out of the conversation on transportation policy.
“I’ve got news for you,” Oberstar said, “transportation policy isn’t going to be written in the press room of the White House.”