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."
ROTFLOL!
A decision like this was probably made by President Bush and DOD Secretary Gates since it concerned Pelosi, so I'm glad to hear that the president hasn't completely knuckled under to the witch.
Whew! Hadn't seen you around for a while and I was afraid you were sick.
Not a bad strategy really, it's gotten pretty squirrelly around here lately. Guess people are still upset at the 2006 loss and still have no clue why we lost.
Oh well, I should lurk only myself but I just can't make myself do it. Good thing is nobody pays any attention to my stuff so no harm, no foul.
Bark on Dog.
I don't think Pelosi likes the prospect of being surrounded with military guys. Pelosi wanted an airplane from the Air Force One fleet.
ABC is blatantly lying.
They are reporting these untruths in order to cover for her so she can get her "Pelosi One" C-32 that she covets.
The C-20 (military version of the Gulfstream IV) has one of the most amazing ranges of any aircraft in the world.
In fact, the G-IV can fly from the US to points overseas with a greater range than most airliners. With a max range of more than 6,500 statute miles, nonstop transoceanic flights are routine.
For Pelosi's office to say this aircraft is unsuitable because it cannot fly from Washington DC to San Francisco and must refuel in Kansas or somewhere (and that is a security risk!!!) is a blatant LIE.
Now they are caught up in this web of deceit.
Someone should ping Drudge, Hannity, or Rush about this. Pelosi is throwing a fit because what she really wanted was exclusive use of the 89th Airlift Wing's C-32, a luxury version of the B-767 that is meant for overseas delegations of multiple DVs and government executives - not just one woman and her immediately family to use as their own private jet.
She wanted "Pelosi One" because she is power mad. This is more of her megalomania excess.
"When I am Speaker, I'll take any suite I want!"
Her office and the MSM are lying about the capabilities of the C-20. Moreover, she learned from her master (Hillary) to cite "Security Reasons" as a catch all for covering up her need for luxury and special perks. She just does not like the C-20 because it is not as lavish.
What a pompous a$$!
BS, yeah. She aint refueling at Circle K! LOL
The number 3 person in the chain of command should have security and probably should have an ability to travel commensurate with real needs.
If the C-20 was sufficient for Hastert, then perhaps some kind of upgrade would be sufficient for the new speaker given the greater distance. I don't think it should be an AirForce 3, 747, but it should be secure, fast, and reasonably equipped.
This would hold for all speakers in the future.
I don't think this should be a partisan issue. It should be a practical one.
keeper bump
What Pelosi is doing, has already been described in a Ben Stein article from weeks ago, where he described how the Democrats, unable to impeach Bush, have decided to simply marginalize him by conducting their own National and Foreign Policy agendas.
Pelosi and the Dems want their own Air Force One, with their own press corps in tow, hoping all over the globe, meeting with Foreign leaders, making their own deals and treaties, and generally speaking for the nation, as if the President didnt exist.
Air Force One is a very powerful symbol of American authority, and the Dems know they wont get their hands on one of the big -47s, so the 757 is their next best hope. The refueling and security issues are just a ruse, something they can use to get a willing media to back them.
But make no mistake, as you will see this agenda soon in many other arenas, the Dems are not waiting until 2008 to get rid of Bush, they want the country to forget he is in charge.
I repeat, the Dems tried to do this on their own dime last month when they jetted off to Iraq. They realized that the press was not going to hang with them on uncomfortable C-130s and choppers, and there was nowhere in flight for Pelosi to put her face on.
Very happy to know that the DoD said "No,...bitch." to Madam Speaker, but dont expect the issue to die soon.
On another note:
IMHO, the 2006 elections have caused many in this forum to go off the deep end. It has never been so negative, so nasty and bitter here. There is an air of uninformed hyperbole taking over, similar to what you can see on any Democrat forum. Facts are facts, but unlike me and others, those proven wrong rarely return to correct their errors and/or apologize. It is for this reason that I and others rarely bother to post anymore and I generally remain logged off unless I see a thread like this that I really want to respond to.
I hope I dont appear elitist when I say, that this place is going downhill fast, and will lose influence rapidly if something is not done about the silly posters who have nothing to offer but negativity and nonsense.
This proud forum, home to Registered, Mia T, Buckhead and others is quickly devolving into a mirror of DU, minus the cursing. Now that that is off my chest, SEE YA!
Walk, bitch!
Good to see a post from one of the wise people.
Please keep trying, we need all the help here we can get.
I think you are absolutely right.
I'm sorry....do we have a misunderstanding here? Could you clarify why you would leave this nasty comment?
I thought my copy & paste was funny.
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