A new statement from the House Sergeant at Arms on the Pelosi-plane nonsense

[jefferson_dem]

For Immediate Release
February 8, 2007

As the Sergeant at Arms, I have the responsibility to ensure the security of the members of the House of Representatives, to include the Speaker of the House. The Speaker requires additional precautions due to her responsibilities as the leader of the House and her Constitutional position as second in the line of succession to the presidency.

In a post 9/11 threat environment, it is reasonable and prudent to provide military aircraft to the Speaker for official travel between Washington and her district. The practice began with Speaker Hastert and I have recommended that it continue with Speaker Pelosi. The fact that Speaker Pelosi lives in California compelled me to request an aircraft that is capable of making non-stop flights for security purposes, unless such an aircraft is unavailable. This will ensure communications capabilities and also enhance security. I made the recommendation to use military aircraft based upon the need to provide necessary levels of security for ranking national leaders, such as the Speaker. I regret that an issue that is exclusively considered and decided in a security context has evolved into a political issue.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/

[rfranklin]

1. don't let the facts get in the way!

Faux Snooze needs something to fill their broadcast.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

5. What concerns me...

is that Pelosi will trash this plane just like the Clintons did to Air Force One.

:sarcasm:

[Joe Chi Minh]

24. and the computers...

[Rebellious Republican]

2. K&R!

:kick:

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

3. That's A Great Statement. That Should Shut 'Em Up!!!!!

.....but it won't.

[TacticalPeek]

4. K & R

:kick:

[MoonRiver]

6. The more those maniacal RepubLICS scream,

the faster they go down. I think they have just lost significant numbers of voters with that House stunt today.

[dogday]

7. Now if it just makes the news

yeah sure it will.....

[rodeodance]

8. lets all send to Fox news NOW!

[Poiuyt]

13. Yes. Fox will no doubt stop the ANS coverage to apologize for any misleading

statements that they may have made about Speaker Pelosi

:)

[ktlyon]

17. I know it is cold outside, but did hell freeze over?

:bounce:

[exlrrp]

20. Expect a lot more of this BS

This kind of story will become real poular now as the media scurries away from republican wrongdoing. you didn't think the media was going to change just because the repubs were voted out, did you?
this constant nitpicking, exhibiting every real or imagined fauxpas, will continue, the Republicans options are limited.
They couldn't lead so now they mislead

[rodeodance]

9. K and R.

[Alamom]

10. Send it to Lou Dobbs, too. His lead off statement was Pelosi is defending

herself for asking for a big plane.

[MoonRiver]

11. Lou has consistently been IGNORING the facts around this non-issue.

:mad:

[cui bono]

12. apparently the WH actually came out in support of Pelosi

said it was a silly story.

[Robson]

14. I may get hammered for this but.....that's the way it is

I posted a thread last Sunday and part of this when the airplane issue was first rearing its head.

Open Letter To Nancy Pelosi....

We depend on you to make more of a difference not more of the same. OK I don't know all the circumstances here. I do know that the media (CSPAN & CNN) is beginning to make an issue over your request for regular military transportation between DC and California for you and your family. Perception becomes reality, and perception of elitism is not good even by the Speaker.

One thing that all elected representatives must understand is that you work for us, and need to experience the same problems that we all experience. Commercial air transportation is a big pain in the butt for most of us and you need to experience it to understand just how we are treated as cattle. You need to have contact with real people on these planes who can make face to face comments. Worst of all for American democracy is isolation of its lawmakers. Those willing to run for office must understand that there will be heavy demands. For those who can't take the heat of the commute, then get out of the fire.

I hope that you reconsider this request for military transportation as it will only undermine and deflect from Democratic intiatives. With all due respect I fully understand and empathize with your request. Now you need to understand how millions of American road warriors who deal with this problem weekly view it.

ADDED TODAY: I empathize with her, I understand the security issue, but I fully understand how this issue has enormous legs and the legs aren't good for the Democratic Party. On one hand we say that Congress should not be elitists and we support environmental issues and conservation. On the other hand we say the Speaker should have a dedicated 757 at her pleasure. Sorry.....does not compute for many Americans.

[maine_raptor]

18. Not hammering, but I have to disagree.

First:

Is she not due all the respect and privileges that the office of Speaker of the House entails?

Second:

She is not asking for a "a dedicated 757 at her pleasure". That is pure claptrap.

Third:

Have a Nice Day!

[moondust]

22. You made an ass of yourself.

Like everybody else who swallows the Republican Kool-Aid, you didn't know the facts when you wrote that. I trust you'll write an apology to her now promising that next time you will get the facts straight before you foolishly act on Republican lies and propaganda.

[babylonsister]

15. FWIW, NBC covered the debunking of the Pelosi plane affair tonight,

mentioning this statement.

[dweller]

16. late nite local news (CBS) stated

the WH was supporting the policy of her using the plane.

not much more to the story than that, the way it was worded was that they were aware of it, or approved it, or perhaps, imo, wanted to be on the up side of the story to distance themselves from any fallout.

dp

[sofa king]

19. Maybe this is a good time to ask about John Ashcroft's switch to private planes....

...Two months before the attacks of September 11.

[rodeodance]

21. NBC eve. news had this story.

[LibDemAlways]

23. Freepers wouldn't be happy unless she was reduced to

hitching a ride at a truckstop along the interstate. For the lowest of repuke lowlife the facts mean nothing.