Does Speaker Pelosi make a legitimate request?

Question

I read the article where Speaker Pelosi is requesting a larger plane than was previously offered to Speaker Hastert. The larger plane would cost tax payers twenty-two thousand dollars an hour to fly. Representatives for Mrs. Pelosi claim that it is merely security concerns due to the smaller plane not being able to make the trip to San Francisco without refueling. It sure seems a liitle odd to me. What do you think?

abcnews.com

Answer 1

Yep, it's true. Watched it this morning on Good Morning America. She said her security is requesting a plane much like Air Force 1.
I don't understand why many of those people up there can't fly commercial. Since security is so tight these days...what do they have to fear? I feel it's a waste of taxpayer's money.

Answer 2

Her staff appaerently requested a C32 (military version of a 757/200)

Republicans on Wednesday assailed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's request for access to an Air Force transport plane as an extravagance, though former Speaker Dennis Hastert flew in a military jet as well.

Republicans are taking issue with the size of the plane Pelosi has requested. Pelosi had asked for access to a C-32 plane, a military version of the Boeing 757-200.

A Defense Department spokesman said Wednesday that the Pentagon informed Pelosi's staff that she would be provided with a plane but that its size would be based on availability.

After the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the Pentagon agreed to provide the House speaker, who is second in the line of presidential succession, with a military plane for added security during trips back home.

Hastert, an Illinois Republican, flew in a small commuter-sized jet. Pelosi and her aides say that because her congressional district is in California, her security would require a larger plane that can fly coast to coast without refueling.

"It's not a question of size, it's a question of distance," Pelosi said Wednesday. "We want an aircraft that can reach California."

Navy Cmdr. Jefrey Gordon, a Pentagon spokesman, said Wednesday that Pelosi would be offered "shuttle service for no more than 10 passengers between Washington and San Francisco only based on aircraft availability."

"This does not guarantee nonstop transport," Gordon said.

Rep. Adam Putnam of Florida, the No. 3 Republican leader, said he supported the tradition of House speakers having access to secure airplanes with secure communications in the post-9/11 era, because of their spot in the presidential line of succession.

Answer 3

FACT CHECK: Washington Times Publishes False Report On Pelosi’s Use Of Military Aircraft

On February 1, the Washington Times published a story titled “Speaker pursues military flights,” which claimed that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) had been “pressing the Bush administration for routine access to military aircraft for domestic flights, such as trips back to her San Francisco district.” Former Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) also used military aircraft to travel to his district. However, the Times reported, Pelosi is “demanding permanent access to a large military jet for herself, her staff, other Members and supporters.”

The story was disseminated widely through right-wing talk radio and blogs, spurring posts like, “First Class Pelosi,” “Air Force Becomes Pelosi Air,” “Nancy Pelosi is Drunk With Power,” “The Imperial Speakership,” “Pelosi: Fly Me Awayyyyy,” “Pelosi wants military airlift,” and “Nancy Pelosi’s Private Military Plane.”

In fact, the central claims of the Washington Times piece are *both false*.

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 [which governed Speaker Hastert’s use of a plane].”

2) A larger plane was requested because Hastert’s plane required refueling to travel cross-country. The Washington Times says a larger plane was requested to accomodate Pelosi, “her staff, other Members and supporters.” That’s not true. In fact, the plane used by Speaker Hastert was too small for Pelosi since it “needs to refuel every 2,000 miles and could not make the nonstop haul to California. ‘The Air Force determined that [Pelosi’s] safety would be best ensured by using a plane that has the fuel capacity to go coast-to-coast,’” a Pelosi spokesperson said.

Answer 4

Do you have a source for this propaganda or did you get this info off your Ouiji Board?

And how much did the smaller plane "cost an hour" to operate? How much taxpayer money went into Hastert's trips for 6 years? Wouldnt it cost MORE in taxpayers funds to send ANOTHER aircraft after her's to refuel it midflight? What exactly are you complaining about here?
Why do conservatives only whine about perks in Congress when THEYRE not getting them? Where is your "fiscal outrage" for the last 6 years of out-of-control Republican spending with no oversight?

What about the $12 Billion dollars in CASH Bush sent over to Iraq, which has disappeared with no receipts or any Republican idea where all that money went? Will Pelosi's airplane cost THAT much?

Like Cheney says, "A billion here a billion there, pretty soon youre talking about real money:"

Answer 5

That bit about the Washington Times pushing bad info doesn't suprise me. They were the ones who invented the story about Barack and used it as a smear against Hillary.

Answer 6

Put her on the bus. She is just an elected official easily replaced. They receive to much special treatment already.

Answer 7

Looks like she wants to fly in Pelosi One. Odd, no -- another classic case of Government waste, absolutely. If our airports are that **** unsecured, she needs to lead Congress in CLOSING OUR BORDERS!

Answer 8

She should fly coach, like the rest of us peasants.