Pelosi, Snow slam critics: 'Silly story' (TONY TRIES TO ACCOMODATE NANCY'S DESIRE FOR A BIGGER RIDE)

SFGate.com ^ | Thursday, February 8, 2007 | Edward Epstein, Chronicle Washington Bureau

[Chi-townChief]

(02-08) 09:45 PST WASHINGTON D.C. -- A political odd couple, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and White House spokesman Tony Snow, today slammed critics of Pelosi's bid to use a government plane that can fly her nonstop between Washington and her home district in San Francisco.

"This is a silly story, and I think it's been unfair to the speaker,'' Snow told reporters.

E-mail Edward Epstein at eepstein@sfchronicle.com.

[roses of sharon]

Tony, begging for good press, sickening.

[MaestroLC]

White House rolls over again. Not surprised.

And what does the Snowman think of Murtha's threat to cut of defense funds if they don't get their way?

[wastedyears]

I can't think of anything to describe that, but if I do, it won't be very nice.

[BigFinn]

Ahhh, just be done with it and give her AirForce One. But be sure to paint a broom on the tail.

[Long Island Pete]

[rollo tomasi]

Don't you get it, it's a win-win for Bush.

Why, ask the Bush-can-do-no-wrong posters.

[Howlin]

What else do you expect him to say? He characterized it as silly, but it's STILL a story.

And the White House isn't spreading it.

[mewzilla]

At first I thought they were doing the good cop/bad cop thing.

But after Murtha's threat, I don't care anymore.

If the WH caves into this...

[NeilGus]

The White House should come to Pelosi's rescue. I am sure she would do the same for her (sarc).

[Howlin]

Why don't you entertain us all with what exactly the press secretary to the sitting Republican president of the United States should have said about the Number 3 in the line of succession with regard to this story?

Would you have been satisfied if Tony had called her a greedy bitch?

Some of you political novices make the most inane statements.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Tony misses another perfect opportunity to demagogue this issue. Pity...

[sunset212]

Supposedly, the issue here is one of security. The only drawback to a smaller aircraft is that not as many of her family can ride at tax payer expense and she may have to stop to refuel, neither of which has any bearing on security.

Apparently, her primary concern is one of regal image.

[mewzilla]

Question for the WH: You all really want to be seen aiding and abetting this....

Murtha Threatens the Pentagon?

[Howlin]

FGS, can you not say "above the fray?"

Let the Pentagon keep doing the leaking and let the White House stay out of this; by dumping on them, you're doing the same thing the press is trying to do.

[mewzilla]

Personal Financial Disclosure for Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif)

The wench can afford to buy her own ride.

[roses of sharon]

I know, it still makes me sick to see the WH step on a good story about the commie-vampires that rule congress, lol.

[montag813]

Tony has more sympathy for Nancy Pelosi than he does for the railroaded border patrol agents. This crowd makes me sick.

[mewzilla]

I was content to do that until Murtha threatened the Pentagon.

Are you suggesting that the WH should allow that to go unassailed?

[pabianice]

This is a win-win for the White House. It can publicly deplore the controversy while silently enjoying it.

[stevio]

I hope Snow realizes his talk radio gig is finished after his stint as lips for this democrat butt kissing president.

[devolve]

[rollo tomasi]

"Why don't you entertain us all with what exactly the press secretary to the sitting Republican president of the United States should have said about the Number 3 in the line of succession with regard to this story?"

Fly commercial, like 4th in line Sen. Byrd.

"Would you have been satisfied if Tony had called her a greedy bitch?"

Hell yes, now real debate begins instead of whorish politics.

"Some of you political novices make the most inane statements"

I tired of political whores running up $9 trillion in debt and those that defend this process.

[mewzilla]

BTW, I think the WH also doesn't want the press looking at the travel costs incurred by the First Family. If that's the case, then the WH is being gutless. It's not like the First Family is running up travel bills like the Toons did.

[sokit2mebb]

A political odd couple, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and White House spokesman Tony Snow, today slammed critics of Pelosi's bid to use a government plane that can fly her nonstop between Washington and her home district in San Francisco.

Snow is just relaying Bush's position.

[freedomson]

This kinda BS almost makes me want give Savage's presidency another thought.

[MaestroLC]

Pelosi denounced officials at the Defense Department for leaking information about the House-Air Force negotiations.

Where was her concern when our national security was compromised with leaks, leading to very important anti-terrorisim techniques to be abandoned...??

Pelosi, the first woman speaker in U.S. history, also said she thought she was being subjected to a double standard because of her sex. "As a woman speaker of the House, I don't want any less opportunity than male speakers who they send here,'' she said.

Want cheese to go with that whine? Go back to your crib where you belong, loser. No, ma'am, it is that we ask you to stop being a prima donna limousine liberal and live by the same rules the rest of America does.

[showme_the_Glory]

Snowman picking battles. Figures damage was already done to the botox queen.

[Howlin]

We're still talking about it, aren't we? That's OUR job.

[anymouse]

Speaker Palosi, a plane has just become available to transport you and your associates to the appropriate Federal facility. :)

[Ieatfrijoles]

Just let her have AF1 Tone and dust off the spirit of 76 for George's remainder.

[tcrlaf]

"And the White House isn't spreading it."

DOZENS of posts on other boards saying Karl ROVE is the one behind this story....

Funny that whenever a Democrat steps on her schlong, "The Evil Rove" is always to blame, but never the Democrat, eh?

[leilani]

White House rolls over again. Not surprised.

And what does the Snowman think of Murtha's threat to cut of defense funds if they don't get their way?

Didn't you already answer your question in your opening comment? Murtha threatened to take money away from the troops if Princess Pelosi didn't get her Flying Palazzo. WH said OK, if that's what your priorities are,that's what they are, let the american people draw their own conclusions about your whacked out leadership.

You do realize,of course, the only reason we're hearing about any of this because the WH leaked it through the pentagon, don't you?

[Howlin]

In a bizarro world kind of way, yes. :-)

[Pukin Dog]

Did any of you bother to read the friggin article? THIS IS A WIN, you rubes!

First, it was never in question that Pelosi was going to get 'A' plane. What was in dispute, was whether she would get the big 757 that she wanted. The answer to that is NO.

What Tony Snow has done, is KILL Pelosi's argument.

By coming out and saying it is 'silly' for her to not get an aircraft, allows the White House to take the high road, while not giving Pelosi what she really wanted. Everyone involved knew she would get a plane, and since the Pentagon told her last night in a letter that she would get a C-20 for official business only, and that her family would NOT be allowed to fly with her without paying a coach fare, the dispute is OVER!

The KNEEJERKING on this website has gone completely nuts, and most of you dont even know when you have WON.

SHUTUP!

[roses of sharon]

Yep, I know, I just feel bloodthirsty today, I'm ready for some headbanging stump politics.

I guess I'll listen to Zell Miller's convention speech, to get me thru, lol.

[tcrlaf]

Why doesn't she get one of those "Secret" CIA planes we hear so much about from the leftists?

[jla]

How have the fish been bitin'?

[rollo tomasi]

I think calling it a "silly story" gives fuel to Dems i.e. this SFGate article.

Just saying the Pentagon is trying to meet her request would have been alright and "smart politics". Now Republicans are on the defensive, great move Pres. Bush.

[Puppage]

And the White House isn't spreading it.

Nor are they spreading all the good things that have been accomplished in Iraq. Nor, the wonderful state of the economy.

They absolutely suck at getting anything good out about anything.All they seem to do is refute rat accusations time & again.

[Arizona Carolyn]

I was kind of thinking the same thing.

[pookie18]

Had just picked it up before I saw your comment...will rerun in Today's Toons 2/13/07.

[indylindy]

Nancy lies, Bush administration keels and cries.

[Political Junkie Too]

I'm late to the discussion, but here's my take:

Speaker or not, Pelosi only received 148,435 votes to win here seat. Compare that to Feinstein (who ran a statewide campaign), who won 5,076,289 votes; or Boxer, who won 6,995,728 votes.

President Bush won over 50,000,000 votes.

Should a person who won less that 150,000 votes really command such extravagances? If she want better accomodatons, let her run a wider campaign and win the support of more Americans.

-PJ

[Fudd Fan]

Thanks for being The Voice Of Reason here. Some of the posts are unbelievable.

[linn37]

I think she should get the same one Hastert used. I don't think the WH gets a say in the matter. So why not be polite about the matter.

[narby]

Good Cop, Bad Cop.

Let the Pentagon play the bad cop, while the White House intercedes with good cop, and gets legislative concessions from Pelosi.

Like making sausage, no one ever said that government was pretty.

[Fudd Fan]

BINGO!

[Fudd Fan]

Bet you can leap tall buildings with a single bound, since you take leaps of logic like that.

[Fudd Fan]

Nice to see you around, Pukin.