Am I the only one who is disappointed in the Pelossi/private plane request?

[Frustratedlady]

I realize she needs "wheels" but I don't think she needs a flying circus.

I'm just curious to hear from others on their feelings.

[flpoljunkie]

1. It's standard for the Congressional leadership to have planes. I have no problem with her request.

[Frustratedlady]

3. Have you heard what all she wanted?

Her plane won't be much different than Cheney's. I think she wanted seating for 42, 16 crew members, stateroom...I can't remember everything they listed off, but I thought it was excessive and would bring diminishing returns.

[sandnsea]

22. She lives clear across the country

And maybe she plans on working on board since she will be in the air more than Hastert was.

The only one I've heard complain is Tucker Carlson and he wants her to fly coach. Funny nobody ever mentioned Hastert was flying around at our expense, not one squeaky peep.

[beaconess]

24. She needs the larger plane because the smaller plane that Hastert used to fly to Illinois

cannot fly to California without stopping to refuel, thereby substantially increasing the costs.

She didn't ask for a larger plane for her own aggrandizement or ego. It just simple logistics and economy.

[orpupilofnature57]

2. She disappointed me early on when she said " Impeachments not on the..

Table " it's not a bartering chip ,it's a last resort against tyranny.

[JanusAscending]

4. Actually,

I think I'll wait, and get both sides of the story, not just the biased version, before I make a judgment. I don't think we've heard all the details yet. Did I hear that Hastert had exactly what Nancy was asking for originally???

[Leilani]

5. I think it's hypocritical

This procedure went into effect after 9/11.

From what I understand, Hastert used a Lear Jet, yet a Lear cannot make it to Cal without refueling. Therefore, Pelosi has requested an Air Force Jet which costs $15,000 an hour.

Just goes to show neither party is really "of the people."

[fuzzyball]

19. Is there a dime's worth of difference between the democratic party

and the republican party? Well, may be a nickel's worth.

[Just-plain-Kathy]

6. I was disappointed at first, but I could understand where she's coming from.

Could you imagine the kind of plane ride Pelosi would have? I for one would like to bend her ear for the length of the trip.

[AtomicKitten]

7. I don't have a problem with it

because:
(1) she's coming all the way from California and it's practical.
(2) she's third in line for the throne ergo the perks.

More interestingly is the stink the MSM is willing to make about it on behalf of the hypocritical GOP.

[DURHAM D]

8. Yes - perfectly appropriate. n/t

[emulatorloo]

9. This is probably another one of those EXAGGERATED MEDIA STORIES

that they seem to run about Democrats but not republicans. In a day or so, we will hear something different.

[gratuitous]

10. You bet I'm disappointed

Especially when Bush and Cheney and all the cabinet officials take public transportation and always shop for the lowest fares whenever they take a trip (them being public servants and all, careful stewards of the public weal with which they've been entrusted).

Who's making a stink about this? Caveat lector.

[trayfoot]

11. I,too, am deisappointed........

Yes, she needs transportation, but not as luxurious as she has requested. It makes the Dems appear as callous and corrupt as the republicans.

[snowbear]

15. SoOOooo Tray...

Trayfoot with the locked up tight profile..

Speaker Pelosi requested an aircraft with a certain capacity and one that could fly non-stop coast-to-coast.

You do know that it's the U.S. Military that came up with the suggestion of the aircraft you're seeing reported on the news, right?

The U.S. Military selected the bird that they're reporting on!

And it's highly likely (according to one honest reporter on CNN).. that all the "extras" in that particular 42-seater weren't requested by Speaker Pelosi, but are standard equipment for the aircraft that they -- the U.S. Military --- suggested.

No one has seen the official government request form indicating that she wanted a video screen, etc....

I think it's nuts that some like you--- or the person who created this thread (and who didn't spell Speaker Pelosi's name correctly) are whining, crying foul and are looking at Speaker Pelosi as if she were Tom Delay.

Why not wait until the media has the full scoop first? Even the media admit that they haven't spoken with the Speaker or anyone in her staff yet.

Geez --- why not bitch about Bush and the billion+ dollars he's spending every month on his bogus war!!

[rzemanfl]

12. Unfortunately, there are not many small planes that can fly

across the country non-stop. Cheney should give up his ambulance and medical crew (notwithstanding how handy it is when he shoots someone) or the Repukes and their media lackeys should STFU.

[Leilani]

13. This is all a moot point

The Air Force has agreed to her request.

[leftofthedial]

14. our rulers are not like you and me

they deserve special treatment and perks

[blondeatlast]

16. No, there are quite a few un-fully informed types who share your view. nt

[Allyoop]

17. Speaker Pelosi

Isn't she 3rd in line of chain of command if something happens to the Pres and the Vice? Maybe Speakers of the House always get special treatment - security, etc.? I don't know - just speculating. Anyone have the answer or know where to look for security detail for Speaker?

[MiniMe]

18. Yes, the speaker gets a security detail

And yes, she should be able to fly non-stop cross country. Stops would be a security risk, although I suppose they would stop at a military base.

One story that I saw said that her office asked for some clarifications. I think the issue is that her plane is bigger than Hastert's plane was, at least that is the stink that is being made.

edited to add:

I find it difficult to believe that anything of Nancy's is bigger than Hastert's. {{ducking}}

[DemBones DemBones]

20. I don't know, I think Nancy's IQ is bigger than Hastert's.

:evilgrin:

[MiniMe]

21. You got me there DemBones

:rofl:

[DainBramaged]

23. IT WAS PURE BULLSHIT, MORE REICH WING LIES

http://www.rawstory.com/news/2007/Defense_Department_agrees_to_furnish_House_0205.html



http://thinkprogress.org/2007/02/05/pelosi-military-aircraft
1) The House Sergeant at Arms, not Pelosi, initiated inquiries into the use of military aircraft. House Sergeant at Arms Wilson Livingood, who has served in his position since 1995, released a statement today clarifying the facts. He writes, “In December 2006, I advised Speaker Pelosi that the US Air Force had made an airplane available to Speaker Hastert for security and communications purposes following September 11, 2001.” Additionally, Livingood writes, “I offered to call the U.S. Air Force and Department of Defense to seek clarification of the guidelines .”

[Frustratedlady]

26. Thank you for your reply. I was hoping it was not as the report stated...

and your link provided me with the information I needed.

[Hekate]

25. I don't believe much that I read/hear in the MSM about Dem leaders until verified

Apparently this is yet another falsified story -- a steaming pile of BS with a nugget of truth at the bottom.

The nugget is that the Speaker of the House, third in line to the President of the US, gets an airplane to travel home. Denny Hastert got this service. Is Nancy Pelosi supposed to fly coach on Sky West? Supposed to hire a small aircraft -- like Paul Wellstone and a few others we know of?

C'mon DUers, how come so many of us lately are getting our undies in a knot over so many of our Democratic leaders -- without checking all the facts first? I mean -- the Moonie Times is a reliable source?

Hekate

[Hippo_Tron]

27. So do you support taking away Air Force One from the President?

That thing costs a fortune to maintain and honestly what does he need all of that for?

The Speaker of the House is a high profile enough figure these days that a private plane is necessary. Furthermore it's a long distance from DC to California so I don't see why she wouldn't do business on the plane. I'll fully admit that the Speaker's time isn't as valuable as the POTUS's time but that doesn't mean that she doesn't have plenty of people that want to meet with her in person.

[anitar1]

28. This has already been shot down by Josh Marshall.

Lou Dobbs was doing a smear job yesterday. And all of the RW evangelicals. She has to take a military transport because she is the 3rd in line for the presidency. Larger plane needed for travel to calif, so they don't have to stop and refuel.

[Vinca]

29. I was wondering how many threats she's probably received

from the wingnuts. Considering they wanted to "frag" her on her visit to Iraq, I'm sure she requires an inordinate amount of security. Lou Dobbs is parroting the right wing smear machine.