Speaker Pelosi Pursues Carte Blanche Military Flights

THE WASHINGTON TIMES ^ | February 1, 2007 | Rowan Scarborough

[auzerais]

By Rowan Scarborough THE WASHINGTON TIMES February 1, 2007

The office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is pressing the Bush administration for routine access to military aircraft for domestic flights, such as trips back to her San Francisco district, according to sources familiar with the discussions. The sources, who include those in Congress and in the administration, said the Democrat is seeking regular military flights not only for herself and her staff, but also for relatives and for other members of the California delegation. A knowledgeable source called the request "carte blanche for an aircraft any time." "They are pressing the point of her succession and that the [Department of Defense] needs to play ball with the speaker's needs," one source said. The request originally went to the Pentagon, which then asked the White House to weigh in. [...] Sources said Mrs. Pelosi's request goes beyond what Mr. Hastert received. The speaker's legal counsel is spearheading the talks. An aide to Mrs. Pelosi, who asked not to be named, confirmed yesterday that discussions are ongoing with the administration. "It would be done for security reasons," said the aide, adding that the speaker has used military aircraft for at least one trip back to San Francisco. [...] U.S. Air Force travel for VIPs such as members of Congress is first-rate. The planes are staffed with stewards who serve meals and tend an open bar. Communications suites allow members to conduct business while traveling.

[auzerais]

So Pelosi wants carte blanche gold star service for herself and all her "friends" on AirForce jets. No Way!!! I say the DOD should limit her aircraft access to a fleet of C-130s and WWII era C-47 "Dakotas" (ie DC-3s).

[Keith in Iowa]

Ms. Pelosi should take the shoe leather express.

[Issaquahking]

Was hard enough to catch a "Mac Flight" in an earlier time!

[JRios1968]

How about "NO!"

[keepitreal]

Sad that our fine Air Force personnel must serve those who seek to undermine them at every turn.

Too bad they don't fly the C-141 any more - let her sit in a cargo net in the back!

[Doctor Raoul]

As long as it's a one-way redeployment of Pelosi and her liberal friends to California, I have no problem with this...

[OldSmaj]

...the [Department of Defense] needs to play ball with the speaker's needs,"

Why?

The arrogance of this botox-bitch is simply astounding.

[keepitreal]

the [Department of Defense] needs to play ball with the speaker's needs,"

The speaker "needs" Air Force One this weekend to return to her vineyard for a fund-raiser - better play ball or else!

[auzerais]

Brit Hume just had a piece about this on his show Special Report. However, instead of showing a pic of the Gulfstream or MD-90s, etc that Pelosi would probably be using, he had a pic of a C-5A which I doubt Pelosi would ever use for her gold star service flights.

[rocksblues]

but also for relatives and for other members of the California delegation.

This is one of the ways they stay rich. Do you know who I am. I should receive everything for free.

[Michael.SF.]

The Republicans in the House should demand a vote on a non binding resolution asking for the banning of the use of Military planes for non essential use by members of Congress.

[Alissa]

They are pressing the point of her succession and that the [Department of Defense] needs to play ball with the speaker's needs," one source said.

What a crock. Sounds like blackmail to me. These planes are expensive and cost the taxpayers a small fortune. They should be limited to the Speaker. No special flights for family and CA delegations unless the Speaker is accompanying them. Dems haven't even been in control a month and my blood is boiling.

[unixfox]

Make her use a parachute to land.

[Owen]

There needs to be an explicit profile of what Hastert got. She gets the same. Nothing more or less.

[trumandogz]

No member of Congress should ever use a military aircraft for personal use and those who have over the last 20 years should have to pay full freight.

[unixfox]

Sounds like blackmail to me.

Sounds like the typical feminist to me.

[SmithL]

I dunno. I once flew from Guam to Pearl on a SAC tanker. If she and her friends, family members, and comrades would like to ride space-available on those, I'm OK with that.

[Doomonyou]

Why doesn't the skank just insist on using Air Force One?

[Howlin]

From what I heard, she's telling the Pentagon she has to have the plane because of her place in the LINE OF SUCCESSION.

[citizencon]

Next she'll demand a regular supply of boy toys...