Pelosi Blames Sexism, Rummy for Plane-Gate

NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Nancy Pelosi has decided to play the gender card. For good measure, she's thrown in a soupcon of Rumsfeld-phobia. MSNBC just aired a clip of Pelosi making the following remarks on the issue of her demand to the Pentagon for a large plane:

"I don't even know the numbers of the planes. So this is something that is really very strange. That the Department of Defense, the Pentagon, which I have been a constant critic of the war in Iraq, and where I understand Mr. Rumsfeld still has a desk, even though he's no longer the Secretary, has decided that they would go public about a conversation on an issue that applied to the previous Speaker. Now, as a woman, as a woman Speaker of the House, I don't want any less opportunity than male speakers have had when they have served here."

View the video of one angry Pelosi here.In to discuss the matter with host Norah O'Donnell were Kelly Dingell, Dem strategist, and Cheri Jacobus, GOP strategist. Cheri actually offered some very sound advice to the Speaker:

"The biggest mistake that Nancy Pelosi can play right now is to try to play a victim. This business that this is happening to her because she's a woman is ridiculous. She's asked for a larger plane, she's asked for something more than what the previous Speaker had. It's ridiculous and naive of her to think that people aren't going to look at this and want to know why. She's talking about this ethical Congress, they're supposed to be big environmentalists. I think it's ridiculous for her to make this about her being a woman, and a huge mistake on her part."

Dingell and O'Donnell emphasized that Pelosi was seeking a plane that could fly her home to California non-stop. But as many readers have pointed out, that in no way justifies the need for the 162-seat behemoth Pelosi has been seeking. There are any number of executive-sized jets with more than enough range to go California dreamin' -- non-stop.

When Dingell suggested there was good reason to suspect that someone "leaked" the story, Jacobus had a telling rebuttal: "I have a problem with the term 'leaked.' It shouldn't be a secret. Is it something [Pelosi] thought should have been kept secret?"

Precisely.

My good-faith two cents of advice to the Speaker: check the screencap. When MSNBC brands the flap "Air Pelosi," you've lost the argument. Cut your losses and move on.

Contact Mark at mark@gunhill.net

[Bahbah]

Just listen to this woman...she acts like a middle schooler...he's picking on me because I criticized him...it's because I'm a girl...she's so childish.

[Judith Anne]

Is this part of that "first 100 hours" thingie?

[andy58-in-nh]

[keepitreal]

"I GAVE BIRTH. I deserve a bigger plane than any male Speaker, who has never given birth".

[RegulatorCountry]

Why am I not surprised? These folks think they're making some profound, psychological impact upon the nation, when in fact they're just being petty.

[SolidWood]

Unbelievable... well not at all.The childish "blame Bush, Iraq and Rumsfeld" worked all the time for the Dems.
I just wish Snow would STFU instead of supporting Pelosi.

[Nathan Zachary]

" Maybe Pelosi can get a smaller jet with inflight refueling capability so that she doesn't have to land and refuel."

It would be so cool if a Republican stood up, walked across the floor and handed her a non-stop greyhound ticket, and telling her they don't stop for fuel.

[alloysteel]

Is this supposed to be satire?

[wastedyears]

If she gets one configured for mid-air refueling, she'd probably declare herself more important than the F-15 pilot who is running on fumes, flying escort for her.

[Bon mots]

Broomstick One

C-32

General Characteristics
Primary Function: High-priority personnel transport
Builder: Boeing Company
Power Plant: Two Pratt and Whitney 2040 engines
Thrust: 41,700 pounds static thrust each engine
Length: 155 feet, 3 inches (47.32 meters)
Height: 44 feet, 6 inches (11.02 meters)
Wingspan: 124 feet, 8 inches (37.99 meters)
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 255,000 pounds (115,668 kilograms)
Range: 5,500 nautical miles unrefueled range
Ceiling: 42,000 feet (12,727 meters)
Speed: 530 miles per hour (Mach 0.8)
Load: 45 passengers
Unit Cost: Unavailable
Crew: 16 (varies with mission)
Date Deployed: June 19, 1998
Inventory: Active force, 4; ANG: 0; Reserve: 0

[HarleyLady27]

It's Rummy's fault????? How does she figure that?

There is NO Airforce 3; never has been and never will be....I don't care what the 'Queen Bee' thinks....she is the leader of the Congress....end of subject...

[RegulatorCountry]

"Wonder if Leno will have Nancy jokes?"

Oh you betcha ... airplanes are quite phallic and SanFranNan wants a bigger one that lasts longer, lol.

[evad]

ahhh...Witchcraft!

[Madeleine Ward]

A couple of things:

Does anybody else find it funny that Pelosi and others are all of a sudden concerned about a 'leak?'

And if Nancy thinks her being a woman is affecting the Pentagon's decisions, well, maybe it's because she's ACTING LIKE ONE AND MAKING A BIG DEAL OUT.

Look, she's as prissy as the prissiest. And she's acting like a QUEEN, and a beauty queen at that, rather than a leader.

[keepitreal]

the Pentagon, which I have been a constant critic of the war in Iraq, and where I understand Mr. Rumsfeld still has a desk

------

hmmm $500 desk and chair vs. hundreds of thousands to fly you and 100 of your closest friends home...

[wastedyears]

I like it!

[RegulatorCountry]

If she was confident in her appeal to the people, she'd fly commercial for more exposure.

[lilylangtree]

Puce Pelosi wants to play that male-oriented game "Whose penis is the largest?" but she's finding she's missing hers.

[TexasCajun]

She's mad someone leaker her plane convesation to the press.

...blames Rummy, what's his office space too.

[Nathan Zachary]

"Wonder if Leno will have Nancy jokes?"

Doubt it. It's been non-stop Bush bashing for a long time now, just like every other so called "comedian".