Posted on 02/07/2007 5:42:02 PM PST by Hadean
A source close to the controversy over the request made by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., for use of a military plane that can fly to and from her home district in San Francisco, Calif., without having to stop to refuel, tells ABC News that the Pentagon has rebuffed Pelosi's request.
The source says that Pentagon officials and the Bush administration have instead offered Pelosi use of the same plane made available to former Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Illinois: a C-20, which seats about 12 passengers and five crew members.
A C-20 can make the 700-mile flight to Hastert's Aurora, Ill., district easily but would generally have to stop to refuel to complete the 2,800-mile trip from Washington D.C. to the San Francisco Bay Area, depending on the headwinds.
Pelosi has expressed concern about having to stop and refuel, primarily for security reasons, her office says. Since 9/11, the Speaker of the House — second in line behind the Vice President in the line of presidential succession — has been able to use a military plane for travel, for security reasons.
In response to the Pentagon offer, Pelosi spokesman Brendan Daly tells ABC News, "We appreciate the Defense Department's continuing concern for the Speaker's security. We are reviewing their letter."
The Speaker of the House is by US Constitution next to the presidency after the VP.
It is an elected position by the most numerous, representative body in the Congress.
What you're really asking is why we lost the Speaker's seat. Personally, I think we ran a crappy campaign from start to finish; we never could figure out how to deal with the opposition media.
Wow, she sure has a lot of nerve. But I guess that's how one gets to where she is as a leftist.
What security issues? I thought the entire terrorist thing was just made up by BushCo and Haliburton?
Flip on the House, they are debate THIS right now.
$$15 MILLION a year for her to use the 757 BTW.
http://www.kewps.com/img/cryptk.jpg
Well stated. I don't understand President Bush supporting her. That makes no sense - only makes him look bad.
I don't understand Bush being nice with Pelosi either. Like trying to be nice to a rattlesnake and you will get bit every time!
Also claims that Rep. Murtha is threatening to cut funding for the Pentagon unless Pelosi gets her new plane. (LGF)
Irony: How many defense spending initiatives has Peloosy voted against that have denied the military equipment and now she wants them to give her a 162 seat plane on demand.
Can you believe this people? Hope he tries cutting funding to the Air Force who has to fly that nitwit around because the firestorm that would create would be monstrous. Cannot believe how large of plane she demanded so she can have a bedroom, press can fly with her, etc. Also 15 crew members. That is unheard of of and so glad the DoD said no way!
Where does it say this for the President? Is he screwing Delta out of their airfare?
If it can't fly cross country she should get a new plane. That said, she doesn't need one capable of carrying dozens of people.
Pelosi, 2 aides, and a small security force is sufficient...she certainly doesn't need a capacity of more than 12-13 people.
This is just my hunch, but I'm betting she wanted one with international capability.
The Gulfstream can surely go cross-country according to the specs.
My only point is that it should be sufficient to take the #3 person in our Gov't out of harm's way or into whatever location necessary for the continuance of our government.
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She says she needs a bigger plane for her entourage. How about a C-17 or C-130? If it's good enough for the troops it's good enough for Nancy!
Hey, you may think global warming is a big joke, but I know better. It's up to 7 F today, here in Ohio. It was only 5 F yesterday. That's 2 degrees in one day. At this rate, imagine how hot it will be in August!
Dear Speaker Pelosi: United Airlines flies nonstop from Dulles to San Francisco. Enjoy.
A Challenger would do the job. What plane did Hastert fly?
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