Raw Story
Monday, February 5, 2007

Comment: Is there a reason Pelosi is so reticent to travel commerically or is this just another form of elitist snobbery. John Ashcroft stopped flying commercial less than two months before 9/11, citing an FBI "threat assessment," an assessment the unfortunate people on Flights 77, 175, 93 and 11 never received.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's (D-CA) request for a "big" US Air Force plane has been approved by the Department of Defense, according to a Capitol Hill newspaper.

"The Defense Department has agreed to furnish House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) with a jet big enough to fly nonstop coast-to-coast, despite complaints from some Republicans that the request was causing friction at the Pentagon," Rachel Van Dongen reports for Roll Call.

Last week, in the Washington Times, Rowan Scarborough quoted a "knowledgeable source" who characterized the request as "carte blanche for an aircraft any time."

"Drew Hammill, a spokesman for the Speaker, said Friday that Pelosi had asked the Pentagon for 'clarification' on rules governing her use of military planes," the Roll Call article continues. "After Sept. 11, 2001, the Speaker was granted access to military transport for additional security, given the person in that job is third in the line of succession to the presidency."

Excerpts from article:

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On Friday, Pelosi’s office waded into the growing public relations battle over how the Speaker travels and with whom. The Washington Times reported last week that Pelosi was demanding permanent access to a large military jet for herself, her staff, other Members and supporters.

A Bush administration official and a senior Hill Republican said that Pelosi’s requests were causing serious friction in the Pentagon, which views them as a strain on a system that is charged with providing military transport for Cabinet officials and top generals and commanders. A permanent large plane for Pelosi, the Hill Republican said, would mean less availability for other high-ranking officials.

“The Department of Defense offered Speaker Pelosi the same aircraft” as the one used by Hastert, said one senior Republican who has spoken extensively with Defense Department officials about Pelosi’s requests. “She found it was not big enough for staff, supporters and other Members.”

But Hammill denied any substantial controversy with the Pentagon brass. “Were not talking about major negotiations here. We’re talking about a few phone calls seeking clarification.”