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House security chief: Pelosi didn't ask for plane; I did
CNN ^ | 02/09/07

Posted on 02/09/2007 7:50:29 AM PST by presidio9

Speaker Nancy Pelosi did not request a larger plane for personal use to travel cross-country without stopping, Bill Livingood, the House sergeant at arms, said Thursday.

Livingood said the request was his, and he made it for security reasons.

"The fact that Speaker Pelosi lives in California compelled me to request an aircraft that is capable of making non-stop flights for security purposes, unless such an aircraft is unavailable," Livingood, who has been at his post for 11 years, said in a written statement.

"I regret that an issue that is exclusively considered and decided in a security context has evolved into a political issue," the statement said.

Pelosi is striking back against accusations she asked for a plane larger and more expensive than the one used by former House Speaker Dennis Hastert, a claim published last week in The Washington Times.(Watch Pelosi call the GOP charges "a myth" )

The Times article, headlined "Pelosi's Power Trip -- Non-stop Nancy Seeks Flight of Fancy," led the Republican National Committee to send out a research briefing and blast Pelosi on the House floor.

The article said Pelosi asked the Pentagon for "routine access" to a military plane "not only for herself and her staff, but also for relatives and for other members of the California delegation," quoting sources "familiar with the discussions."

"I have never asked for a larger plane," Pelosi said. "This is a myth that they are talking about on the floor."

The White House also stood behind Pelosi.

"As speaker of the House, she is entitled to military transport and ... the proper arrangements are being made between the Sergeant of Arms Office in the House of Representatives and the U.S. Department of Defense," White House spokesman Tony Snow said.

-snip-

(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: nancypelosi; palomino; piglousyairone; queenbugeyes
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1 posted on 02/09/2007 7:50:30 AM PST by presidio9
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To: presidio9

This is too good....


2 posted on 02/09/2007 7:51:29 AM PST by Pondman88
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To: presidio9

A lamb to the sacrifice... anyone want to bet?


3 posted on 02/09/2007 7:51:39 AM PST by xcamel (Press to Test, Release to Detonate)
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To: presidio9

Plenty of things to pick on Nancy about, but IMHO this is a non-story.


4 posted on 02/09/2007 7:52:20 AM PST by dfwgator (The University of Florida - Championship U)
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To: presidio9

Looks like she's found her scapegoat....


5 posted on 02/09/2007 7:53:05 AM PST by KellyAdmirer
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To: Pondman88

From the White House defending her to this-- can someone tell me what is going on?


6 posted on 02/09/2007 7:53:28 AM PST by VictoryGal (Never give up, never surrender!)
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To: presidio9
Easiest way for this to be put to rest would be for Pelosi to announce she doesn't want the plane, and for the Democrats to immediately submit legislation revoking the requirement that the Speaker be provided transportation by the Air Force. Never happen though. Fortunately.
7 posted on 02/09/2007 7:54:21 AM PST by Non-Sequitur
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To: presidio9

8 posted on 02/09/2007 7:54:33 AM PST by ARE SOLE (Agents Ramos and Campean are in prison at this very moment.)
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To: Pondman88

Can we get a "-gate" to tack on to this story already? "Luxery Jet-gate," or "Lincoln Bedroom in the Sky-gate" both work for me. Just what the heck is taking so long?


9 posted on 02/09/2007 7:55:18 AM PST by presidio9 (There is something wonderful about a country that produces a brave and humble man like Wesley Autrey)
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To: presidio9

It is my understanding that the aircraft previously used by Speaker Hastert has a range of 4,000 miles. Problem??


10 posted on 02/09/2007 7:55:39 AM PST by davisfh
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To: dfwgator

That's the only explanation I can come to.

If true, the RNC better get busy going after Pelosi's socialist policies rather than things like this, especially when Anna Nicole and the diaper astronaut dominate the headlines...


11 posted on 02/09/2007 7:56:19 AM PST by VictoryGal (Never give up, never surrender!)
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To: presidio9
If he did request this, why did he wait 3 days to come out and say so. Also, why is Jack Murtha so adamant about this and threatening the Pentagon over this. Sounds like a very cleaver three card monte to take away attention from Madam Speaker.
12 posted on 02/09/2007 7:56:30 AM PST by pghkevin (Have you hugged your kids today? Have you thanked someone in the Military today?)
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To: dfwgator
but IMHO this is a non-story.

It would be, but the Democrats just can't stay out of their own way on this one. Tony Snowe tried to put it to bed yesterday, but Pelosinians keep trying to explain how it all happened, and they just end up making things worse.

13 posted on 02/09/2007 7:57:27 AM PST by presidio9 (There is something wonderful about a country that produces a brave and humble man like Wesley Autrey)
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To: presidio9
Which story number is this? I guess righteous indignation about being questioned on Air Pelosi didn't poll well so this is the current gambit.

The truth can be spoken immediately. It takes a few days to craft a semi-believable lie.

14 posted on 02/09/2007 7:57:36 AM PST by KarlInOhio (Samoans: The (low) wage slaves in the Pelosi-Starkist complex.)
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To: presidio9

Falling on a sword for plastic face!


15 posted on 02/09/2007 7:57:47 AM PST by jmaroneps37 (google the "Verses of the Sword" to understand our Islamist enemies.)
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To: dfwgator

Agreed. Non-story. Livingood wouldn't put his butt on the line in a written statement if he wasn't telling the truth.

There are power dynamics on Capitol Hill, and longtime staffers aren't "sacrificed".


16 posted on 02/09/2007 7:58:22 AM PST by angkor
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To: presidio9
CYA

It only costs about 22,000 dollars an hour.
They can run the printing press a very short time to cover this bill!
17 posted on 02/09/2007 7:58:39 AM PST by HuntsvilleTxVeteran ("Remember the Alamo, Goliad and WACO, It is Time for a new San Jacinto")
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To: xcamel

Yep! If this was true, the Sargeant would have come out days ago to dispell the "MYTH"! And Murtha along with Pelosi wouldn't have threatened the Pentagon with punitive acttions. This was a powerplay that went south, and they are trying to sugarcoat it.


18 posted on 02/09/2007 7:59:29 AM PST by True Republican Patriot (God Bless America and The Republicans)
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To: presidio9
Can we get a "-gate" to tack on to this story already? "Luxery Jet-gate," or "Lincoln Bedroom in the Sky-gate" both work for me. Just what the heck is taking so long?

I'd suggest Travelgate, but that's taken.

19 posted on 02/09/2007 7:59:40 AM PST by Non-Sequitur
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To: presidio9

Pelosi to security cheif: Ask for the plane.


20 posted on 02/09/2007 8:00:48 AM PST by Bones75
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