Speaker Nancy Pelosi was on "On the Record" and discussed the airplane controversy:

[CatWoman]

Pelosi: "This is about transportation. It's not about a plane. Myself, I wish I didn't have to have so much security, because I like my freedom of mobility, but being, second in line of succession, and since 9/11, Mr. Hastert had that transportation provided. ... It's their call as to what security is needed for the speaker of the House, and they requested that. Where the misrepresentations and mischaracterizations came from, I don't know, perhaps the Defense Department, because I've been one of their critics. But I'll say this, I know it didn't come from the president of the United States. Because he has been, if anything, very definite in saying to me, you need to have the security you have."

FNC's Van Susteren: "It's about the size of the plane. I think that's what the dispute was."

Pelosi: "It was the distance."

Van Susteren: "You're from California, we can't do anything about that. ... And Speaker Hastert was Illinois, the mid-part of the country."

Pelosi: "That's right."

Asked if she asked for a particular sized plane, Pelosi: "No."

More Pelosi: "They told me the first day that I was supposed to go that I couldn't make it across the country. And I said well, that's fine, I'm going commercial. ... I'm not asking to go on that plane. If you need to take me there for security purposes, you're going to have to get a plane that goes across the country, because I'm going home to my family. ... I'm happy to go commercial. But they want me to go on this plane, so the issue was distance, not size. And again, it's not about having a plane. It's about having transportation. These planes are used for other purposes in between trips, which are, you know, take place once or twice a week, going or coming. So, it isn't about that. But there are probably those in the Department of Defense who are not happy with my criticism of Secretary Rumsfeld, the war in Iraq, other waste, fraud and abuse in the Defense Department and I guess this is their way of making their voices heard. But it has nothing to do, as I say, with the president of the United States. He has encouraged my having the security I need" (FNC, 2/7).


http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2007/02/hotline_after_d_156.html

[Debi]

1. 'I'm happy to go commercial'

How many republicans will say that???

[bdamomma]

5. she should stick to her guns and just say it goes with the terrority.

matter closed. and lets move on. or like she said Rummy still has a desk at the Defense Dept.

[jsamuel]

2. Thank you for more information.

[CatWoman]

6. I report

You decide

:hi:

[BOSSHOG]

3. Republicans and "conservatives" and their fake outrage

Live entertainment. And they support our troops as they blather on about more dying in car wrecks so its no big deal when a helicopter goes down killing many of our kids in Iraq.

Fiscally responsible republicans given a surplus seven years ago and pissed it away because, as reagan proved, deficits don't matter.

My hate is rational. Please lurkers chime in and straighten me out, you worthless, constitution hating motherfuckers.

[SeattleGirl]

4. These Republicans are all graduates of the Donald Rumsfeld

Drama Queen School.

[CatWoman]

7. I want an explanation

as to why that moronic fuck is still on the Pentagon payroll, and has office space there :grr:

[The Count]

8. DK: "Do you agree with the White House statement that this is a silly issue"?

Kuchinich asked this on the floor from a wingnut who has been harping about pelosi wasting our money and causing global warming. he had to say "yes". It was a great moment in television!

[DURHAM D]

9. In an interview with Pelosi that I heard on the Ed Schultz show

she commented that this is the Pentagon acting like dicks (not her word)because she has been critical of them and the Iraq war. Also, she said that she understands that Rumsfeld still has a desk in the Pentagon. (I wish they would have hearings on this matter because Gates is just a front)

She went on to say that just because she is a female she does not want anything less than prior Speakers were provided.

Actually - she sounds a little angry. I for one him glad she is calling this out. I think she declined to speak about this earlier this week because she thought it would die down and she did not want to call out the Pentagon. The rightwing noise machine kept it going allowing her no choice but to call out the sexism in the Pentagon. Earlier I read a story that Murtha had called it sexism on the part of the Pentagon.

[Rose Siding]

10. We've lost enough dems in plane crashes

Doubling take offs and landings creates more risk. Her office was even quoted in the ABC piece as having agreed to a smaller plane as long as it could fly non-stop. -at the end, of course, after all the Republican-serving spin had been hashed out.

At least we know Rove is earning his keep this week. Her numbers are too high: Get Pelosi, Karl!

[The Count]

12. Couple this with Sy Hirsch story about BFEE fearing the House will cut their

happy war in Iran - it all makes sense. I saw a debate in the house ( no doubt a result of that robust campaign with 200 lawmakers) and O remember the "Kill France" campaign - also from the White House.

[madrchsod]

11. here is what she will probably get

meets all the requirements that she needs. all military aircraft is available to the military personal if there is a seat available...

http://www.gulfstream.com/g450/
Gulfstream : G450

[in_cog_ni_to]

13. I just hope she doesn't give in to the feigned outrage.

Heaven only knows what the BFEE would do to her.:scared: She needs security and secret service. I hope she realizes her life is in more danger than Hastert's was.:(

[Felinity]

14. I love her new move

She said she'd just fly commercial, more or less forcing the DOD to backpedal and insist she allow them to provide secure transportation. If she flew commercial and there was any problem at all, the DOD would be at fault; actually derelict in their duty to protect the Speaker.

Popcorn, anyone?:popcorn: :popcorn:

[Parche]

15. ITS ABOUT SIZE

Thats what they all say!!

I could fly her on my flight simulator 737-800!!!!






OH MEOW