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."
Why, golly! How is our Squeaker of the House going to haul her Royal Hindass around the country? Why, I think a Royal Carriage carried by slaves might do for her.
What an a##hole! Typical liberal hypocrasy!
Isn't a C-20 a Gulfstream III? If it is, it most certainly CAN fly coast to coast--especially with long runways like Andrews AFB and San Fran Intl!!! The statement that a GIII cannot fly coast to coast is ridiculous.
Such a class act. Just like the Clintons.
Hate to say it, folks, but she has a point. If a Speaker was from Hawaii, she would be entitled to secure transport and a C-20 probably won't do it.
OTOH, she's not from Hawaii, and a fuel stop is not a horrible price to pay to not be flying commercial.
Good for the Pentagon. The refueling issue is silly. Don't these planes refuel at military bases (the safest places in the US)?
It has a nice ring to it! They couldn't say screw you you diva Beeatch!
Anybody notice her boy Murtha pressure for the plane? I guess that shows how much respect the Pentagon has for Murtha.
GOOD!
I hope they don't? But I'm afraid that this is just the end of round one!I hardly think that Pelosi will drop the issue and simply say, "OK"!!!!!!
Ain't that a hoot; the very war she's trashing she now uses as an excuse to get a 757! Yeah, you read that right; that's what she wanted.
And she wanted to take the press and her friends with her.
And if she's worried about security, she can land at a military base.
Like her mobbed-up Baltimore Democrat pals.
As are Fort Riley, Fort Sill, and Fort Hood.
Maybe if the commute is too hard for Nancy, she should quit her job.
Let her land and refuel at a military base.
Did you know she demanded a 757? Bigger than Air Force one!
I think they will cave on the refueling issue but not on the entorage issue.
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