[The_Media_never_lie]

But evidently that is what Pelosi wants!

Is this what she said? If so, how could she have such a tin political ear? Newt with the book deal is a political genius in comparison.

[showme_the_Glory]

Better ramp up production of 757's. Looks like we're gonna need a bigger boat!

[Vn_survivor_67-68]

"Dennis Hastert had access to a Pentagon Gulfstream III"

I don't see why a couple of extra fuel tanks couldn't be mounted to extend the range of Hasterts old plane. The military does this all the time on just about any aircraft they use.

Pelosi is just full of herself.....I suppose that if she gets a big plane she'll want to call it Air Force III, and have it painted to resemble AF-I and AF-II, the Prez and Veeps planes.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

The story is really a bit pathetic, and it just won't go away! Nancy Pelosi wants the Pentagon to fly her back and forth between Washington and San Francisco. Fine, that' s fair. Republican Speaker Dennis Hastert had access to a Pentagon Gulfstream III to fly him back and forth to Illinois. Good enough for him, good enough for her.

Sorry, this isn't an issue of fairness between Democrat and Republican. There is no good reason for taxpayers to foot the bill for private, catered flights for any members of Congress. These people should fly on the same commercial flights the rest of us use at their own expense - never mind the lame rationales about the House Speaker's position in the line of succession if anything happens to the president. Members of Congress are elected representatives of the people, not US aristocracy.

And if I'd known Hastert was flying home on private jets on my dime, I'd have raised the same objection then.

[bmwcyle]

I hope Nancy keeps defending herself. She is doing a terrible job.

[flada]

A short list for taxpayer funded 757 recipients:

Nancy Pelosi, Ted Stevens, Condi Rice, Henry Paulson, Robert Gates, Alberto Gonzales, Dirk Kempthorne, Mike Johanns, Carlos Gutierrez, Elaine Chao, Mike Leavitt, Alphonso Jackson, Mary Peters, Samuel Bodman, Margaret Spellings, Jim Nicholson, and Michael Chertoff.

Did I miss anyone?

[Dallas59]

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

It only costs about 22,000 dollars an hour.
They can run the printing press a very short time to cover this bill!

[RexBeach]

I have taken flights from Dulles to San Fran many times. It's a cakewalk.

Pelosi Galore could get to Dulles in a wink because of her security detail.

[6SJ7]

Something, I think, about being able to fly non-stop to San Francisco. Well, the G-III is fully capable of that mission ... if, that is, the airplane isn't loaded down with an entourage.

From http://www.airliners.net/info/stats.main?id=237

"G-III - Max cruising speed 928km/h (500kt), economical cruising speed 818km/h (442kt). Initial rate of climb 3800ft/min. Max operating ceiling 45,000ft. Range with eight passengers and reserves 7600km (4100nm)."

Sounds good enough. 4,100 nautical miles = 4,718.19574 miles.

[mrmargaritaville]

What I was really hoping for was for her to do the politically espedient thing and "accept" the GIII with refueling stops. And then when the jet lands to refuel it suddenly develop "mechanical" problems-requiring some service and attention-about 6 hours worth-every freakin' trip. I'm sure that the speaker wouldn't mind rubbing elbows with our military 10 or 12 hours every weekend-while the "muffler bearings" or "disgronafactor" got repaired.

[Paleo Conservative]

If you want on or off my aerospace ping list, please contact me by Freep mail.

[WesternPacific]

The sad part is that people who are elected to Live in Washington DC do not understand why We The People should question their request or demand. They're clueless.

[Atlas Sneezed]

Let it be clear that there is no evidence that when Nancy talks about "commercial", she does NOT mean COACH!

[6SJ7]

Speaker's Pelosi's plane being fueled at the Port of San Francisco.

"Madame Speaker, do you really need to bring all those pairs of shoes?"

[GretchenM]

How could a super-political like Nancy Pelosi let this kafuffle over how she gets back and forth to her home district get so out of control?

I know this one! I know!!

Greed obscures judgment.

[ElPatriota]

Hey I need a classy bed set in my plane... Anything wrong with that?

---

[True Republican Patriot]

The Gulfstream 3 has the range to go Non-stop with full passenger load of 12 people. The Air Force has 4 or 5 C-37 s
at Andrews (they are G-5.and the newer G-550) which have a full load range of 6500 nautical miles!!! Neal is correct, thids was not about Security, and it is SICK! and to threaten Our Military is outrageous!

[USMCWife6869]

Honestly, I couldn't have been less interested in this whole story if Murtha hadn't started spouting off. Now I'm ticked. I don't care how she gets from here to there (although I stand by my earlier assertion that she simply doesn't want to have to stop at military bases to refuel because of her clear disdain), but for Murtha, a Marine, to put other Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines in danger, simply so he can suck up just fries my hide.

[Corin Stormhands]