Pelosi Jet Request Sparks Debate

Does Size Matter When It Comes To Speaker's Military Jet? Republicans Say Yes

(CBS/AP)  Ever since 9/11, a small military jet has been made available to transport the Speaker of the House for security reasons, CBS News correspondent Sharyl Attkisson reports. The Speaker is second in the line of succession to the presidency.

Before the 2006 elections, the speaker was Republican Dennis Hastert of Illinois. Now it's California Democrat Nancy Pelosi, and she may be getting some more leg room. Pelosi reportedly is asking for a much bigger jet — a government version of the Boeing 757 that can make the trip between Washington and her San Francisco home without stopping to refuel.

The speaker's critics have dubbed it "Pelosi One." Military officials are said to be grumbling about it, and she finds herself on the defensive. Today, she insisted that size doesn't really matter.

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

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.

But an aircraft like that can also comfortably seat 50 — and Republican leader Roy Blunt of Missouri is among those questioning how all those extra seats might get filled.

"If you can say to your supporters 'Do you want to fly with me from San Francisco this week, spend the week in New York and fly back with me,' that's an incredible perk. It's an incredible fundraising tool," Blunt said.

Pelosi's office told CBS News she'll follow all the appropriate guidelines. The problem is there aren't any yet. Because of the flap, the Defense Department are said to be quickly writing the rules for the speaker's plane — with regulations on everything from size to who can go along for the ride.

[jan14bill]

If the perks for Speaker of the House has a free trip to their home, at the cost of taxpayers. Then the aircraft that is assigned shouldn't change. Reguardless of the number of stops.
If in the future the next Speaker of the House lives in NC or PA or close by to DC, and needs to visit their home. Does that huge aircraft traveling non-stop to CA become the assigned aircraft because of a past policy change?

[ksabicer]

Pelosi needs to get real, there are much smaller jets that will go the distance, she will have to go with fewer straphangers and potential campaign contributors, wah!! She cab find the definition of ethics somewhere between election and ex-speaker in her dictionary. Absolute power corrupts the liberals absolutely!

[arthurcl1]

Oh Please! Emperor Bush lives in Texas and flys Air Force One to his Crawford Ranch so he can sleep as he spends Trillions on Iraq! Stop focusing on Nancy! The Republicans are just trying to sidestep away from Bushes Spotlight!

[pakaal]

Pelosi didn't request it, the procurer for the House did, Hastert's jet couldn't make it to California without refueling, larger jets are available for use and only specific jets are "militarized" for House speaker, by federal law. If there's a problem with her going by the book on this, I don't know what it could be.

[nsri1982]

What a joke. I consider myself a right-wing democrat and I still beleive she is incapable of this position. She is too high on being a women speaker and refuses to let her ego go and focus on the position.

[frankly6]

She should have known she'd get flack for this.

[Syndicate]

This request is extremely practical even if I don't like her. The question about friends and family was also apropriate. After all why should they fly seperatley and increase carbon emissions. Being Second in line for the presidancy requires certain precautions. Yes smaller planes could go the distance. But could they carry all the special communication gear the president uses? The speaker should have the same gear. You never know when some one will take out the pres and vice pres. Its just better to be safe than sorry. And for all you conservatives out there The Fox version has the quote from Pelosi saying how much President Bush stressed to her the need for security.

[one_american]

I didn't take Nancy long to try to abuse the system for her personal benefit.

Culture of Corruption? That's Fancy Pants Nancy!

I suppose it doesn't matter to liberals that she would be using a $22,000-per-trip taxi just to fly her across the country...ALONE.

Where is the outrage, liberals?

Fat-cat got your tongue???

[krenz4]

oH, SURE, the Democrats critisize the wastrel spending habits of fat cat republicans, but just as soon as they are in charge, they are dipping their beaks, and finding all sorts of "Necessities" no matter how expensive! LOL

[melcarnahan]

The American taxpayer pays for the clown to go to Crawford to clear some brush. Pelosi needs an aircraft that can reach California. Biden takes the train. It is important that she has a plane that Republicans can't pull another Paul Wellstone on her in case Weedwhacker has a bizarre gardening accident.

[tuckerndfw]

American Airlines has non-stop service from Dulles and National.

They will be more than happy to cart her back and forth so long as she ponies up the few thousand it will take to ride in first class where she seems to think she belongs.

This *** has gotten totally out of hand. Politicans should be riding buses if they are using tax dollars to pay their way.

[lasvegas53]

This is in response to CBSCRASH07 post regarding Nancy Pelosi. I don't think you would post the comment I want to leave regarding this but I do feel she has let the power of becoming Speaker of the House go to her head. I do not want my tax dollars spent flying her and her delegation, family or friends from coast to coast. As for CBSCRASH07 you need to learn how to spell before posting online. You misspelled apropriate, seperatley, and presidancy. They are spelled appropriate, separately and presidency. Also, some one is actually spelled someone.

[jeffstersf]

Lieberman18 is tragic. Truely pathetic. Sad. So is the real Lieberman. Coincidence? I don't THINK so.

[jw218389]

Nancy wants to give herself a big jet.

Bush wants to give Halliburton 30 Billion dollars.

I can solve both problems:

For Nancy: You need a Gulfstream G-IV it can fly from San Fran to DC no problem. You don't need a frickin 757!!

Bush: You need to be impeached.

[nyckate]

lasvegas53 -- don't you know that she's second in line for the presidency?? With a Bush White House starting to show strain of all the incoming investigations and libby on trial and on and on and on -- if Bush were to be impeached and Cheney indicted -- we'll all be saying "Madam President Pelosi" -- shesh - that's enough to drive the bushies way way over the edge of sanity!!

[nyckate]

jh6379 - gee - you mean the Bush White House might actually leak MORE information?? What a shocker - NOT!!!

[jeffstersf]

Brilliant jw218389! I think I love you! Ever thought of running for office? ;)

[alphaa10-2009]

"Because of the flap, the Defense Department are said to be quickly writing the rules for the speaker's plane %u2014 with regulations on everything from size to who can go along for the ride."
----

Strange. Only a few months ago, there was no need for DOD to write rules for jet travel options-- that is, when a different party had congressional majority.

Now that Dems need such conveyance, DOD is suddenly concerned about perks and overspending?

[tiddsanbeer]

I knew it wouldn't be long before the greed and arrogance of the hypo-hypocrit PISSLOSI would float to the surface and emerge under the leftwing media radar.

Check foxnews.com, for ALL the info....22 THOUSAND DOLLARS an hour to run THIS private missle and not a word about it in this story....come on CBS.....you should check fox for the truth, AND educate the blue balled left following you have here.....

[tiddsanbeer]

She has already inquired as to the "how does it work" to have family and friends ride on the jet....READ THE FOXNEWS STORY...YOU FAR LEFT FREAKS....GO AHEAD..DEFEND HER ACTIONS!!!! SHE IS NO BETTER THAN THE SH*T SHE REPLACED..IN FACT WORSE!!CAN'T YOU ADMIT IT FOR ONCE....I see all you lefties already blaming Bush for this F'n piece of garbage speaker...sos........

[jdweymouth]

alphaa10: That's right. The president is more valuable than the speaker of the house. If Pelosi died, it wouldn't matter: the house would just elect a new speaker. If Bush died: there would be a major administration change. The president of the United States has his fingertips on the button that will unleash 12,000 nuclear weapons-so, yes, the president gets more privileges than the lowly speaker of the house. That's why his life is worth more than yours or mine. If you or I died, who would notice? If Bush died: the entire world would be watching. Get over it, Bush is a better president than most democratic president were, or could ever hope to be. I just don't understand you people; you hate George Bush for no normal reason, yet you call him the psychopath. Or, maybe it%u2019s because he%u2019s a professing Christian. Yes%u2026 You people are just psychotic enough.

[bm6005]

jdweymouth; Naw, if Bush died there would be cause for a major party and I don't mean political!!!! I suppose that you're claiming to be a christian yourself.....not! Perfect example of why I left organized hypocrisy, I mean religion.

[bm6005]

I'm a Christian, I hate everyone else, especially democrats.Have you people ever seriously read what Jesus said. Remember Jesus was a liberal democrat, hah, hah, hah......

[fairandbal]

This is NOT news CBS!!! Why aren't you reporting on real news such as how much Cheney is profiting on the Iraq War? That's the news that really needs to be reported, and not burried!

[bushfan3]

There is no way that I am paying taxes so she can get a bigger plane. I get around this country pretty well on four wheels, I am pretty sure she could also.

[hillaryin08]

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is reportedly asking for a much bigger jet than the one allocated to her predecessor. Should she get one?

I thought there was a global warming crises? Wont a bigger jet leav a huge carbon footprint? Why not give her a kite made out of hemp to get around with?

fairandbal, This news is actually bigger than the Iraq war!

[n320aw]

I am a republican and christian. Yea . . . its possible!

Pelosi should get whats available and be satisfied. When I see the likes of some TV evangelists flying around in their private jets it sickens me. Kenneth Copelnd, Jerry Falwell, Paul Crouch (TBN), and others . . . I have to think who is paying for those multi-million dollar planes. Of course, its the people who send money to [their] ministries!

[frankly6]

She's third in line for the Presidency. If something terrible should happen to the President and V.P. then she would step in as the acting President. Therefore her security is a matter of national security. Every time her plane has to set down and refuel it makes for a less secure situation. Hastert's home district was much closer to Washington so he didn't need a larger plane to make the trip without refueling.

[n320aw]

The aircraft available to her is a military verson of the Gulfstream IV. That is the Rolls-Royce of corporate jets and has a non-stop range of more than 5,000 miles! Wonderful plane. Pelosi and her buddies need to check the distance from DCA to SFO!!

[ozarkhobo]

Roy Blunt's remarks are that of a typical Missouri puke.Blunt is a big user of mooching rides on corporate jets. Blunt ranks only behind Trent Lott. Lott has 123 trips on corporate jets valued at $166,908; Blunt has 91 trips valued at $125,187. Records are at the Federal Election Commission.

[bellal-2009]

She's third in line for the Presidency. If something terrible should happen to the President and V.P. then she would step in as the acting President. Posted by frankly6 at 12:46 AM : Feb 08, 2007

OMG. That's frightening.

[firststate]

ABC's Jake Tapper and CNN's Lou Dobbs have gone all over the map with this one and the right wing has taken it and run with it.

She's not asking for a big plane, seating capacity is not the issue. An aircraft that can consistently, safely fly between DC and San Francisco. The plane that took Hastert to Illinois does not meet that requirement without a stop to refuel, especially west bound. The government has lots of aircraft from the Gulfstream 450 and up, based in the DC area with sufficient range. The G-450 seats 8 passengers. The G-350's range would render it marginal. Any combination of weather, the jet stream, and ground or air traffic delays could require it to stop and refuel.

None of these critics had a problem with Hastert sending "his" plane to pick up Shimkus of the page board at Scott AFB to return to Aurora to be joined by Hastert for the flight back to DC to deal with the Foley scandal. She's not asking for a commercial sized aircraft despite splendiferous reporting to the contrary.

If someone at DOD says that they don't have enough jets with a G450's range or greater for the speaker to be able to use one of them, that someone is telling a noteworthy whopper, even for GWB's DOD.

[savvy51]

So, we live in a country that is trying to support a war and trying to support an army of very brave men and women overseas serving a country they believe in. How on earth do we justify to them the cost of flying one statesperson across the country at a cost of $300,000.00 per trip.
The total cost per year would be better spent on those brave people trying to maintain our democracy than on total over the top luxury flight.
I appreciate the importance of her position but $300,000.00 per flight......come on.

[firststate]

bellaL
After W and his evil sidekick, dickey, almost anybody would be an improvement. I also believe that she would simply be sworn in as President to serve the rest of this term. Since she would have served less than half the term, she could run twice more. On that cheery note, good night.


N320AW
The G-350's maximum range is 3,800 nm. She's not requesting a specific aircraft, she's requesting a specific range. Apparently the Air Force is smart enough to consider taxi time, including possible ground delays, weather, head winds especially the jet stream westbound, possible ATC reroutes, and holds prior to landing. They wisely consider the range to SFO marginal, throwing an extra hour minimum into any kind of reasonable scheduling. The G-450 and up will consistently provide the range seating the same 8 passengers as the G-350.

[j_flood]

Ah Potomac fever some catch early, others catch it late, and a very few never catch it.

I'm sure there's a Gulfstream available in the Special Air Mission fleet that would make the distance and not cost so much.

[MonsterSound]

"Pelosi reportedly is asking for a much bigger jet". What "reportedly" is CBS talking about. Who reported this distormation. Get the story right CBS.
- from ThinkProgress
%u201DIt was House Sergeant at Arms Wilson Livingood who initiated inquiries into the aircraft. %u201CI advised Speaker Pelosi that the US Air Force had made an airplane available to Speaker Hastert%u201D following 9/11, Livingood wrote, and %u201CI offered to call the U.S. Air Force and Department of Defense to seek clarification of the guidelines."

Pelosi%u2019s office says %u201Cit is up to the Air Force to decide what type and size of plane will be required,%u201D and that %u201Cshe has never asked for a plane or space on a plane to accommodate %u2019supporters.%u2019%u201D

Pelosi%u2019s office has already said she %u201Cwill not use the plane for political travel.%u201D

[rray52]

Maybe during those twice weekly cross-country flights in her private 757 she can think of ways to cut CO2 output and conserve energy

[Ed0719]

The foaming-at-the-mouth types like Limbaugh, Hannity, O'Reilly, and the rest of the Faux News crowd have never cared much for facts if those facts inconvenience their ability to skewer someone. The FACT that Pelosi never asked for a particular plane, just one that could make the trip without stopping for refueling, completely escapes the Faux News aficionados. The FACT that it is the MILITARY who says they currently do not have an aircraft in service that could make the trip as asked should silence these know-nothings who think they have all the answers.

Yes, to all you Faux News junkies, never let little things like facts get in your way. Drink some more of the kool-aid, you'll be foaming again real soon.

[adian1-2009]

It seems that before issuing judgment, the military experts should make a full disclosure of what they have available and about the capabilities of one or another plane. If a samaller plate would do it, then Pelosi should go for the smaller. Given the appalling level of corruption that embelishes Republicans from the House or Senate, I am skeptical of this guy. But if he is honestly scrutinizing where our tax dollars go, then he is right. Getting one size of lipstick or another is not important. But getting one or another jet, besides the message that it conveys regarding spending public funds, is important. As long as Pelosi matches her words with her actions, it will be ok. She is on the defensive, which makes me skeptical about her also. So, let us wait for the information the military owes to the public. If what Ms. Pelosi wants is to feed her ego, then she better does it with her own purse, not with public funds.

[skyk-2009]

Guess I don't understand why she can't use/have the same plane or type of plane as previous speakers. Why not? Geez, I don't think she's the only speaker who has a large family.

Guess you just haven't been paying attention. The SMALL plane, while good to travel to Illinois, does NOT reach to California. LOL What get's me is the fascist concern with an upgrade of the speakers plane but no complaints when 300 TON of AMERICAN DOLLARS were flown to Iraq and passed out to whoever wanted it. You people are truly UNBELIEVABLE!!

[dallison7]

Guess you just haven't been paying attention. The SMALL plane, while good to travel to Illinois, does NOT reach to California. LOL What get's me is the fascist concern with an upgrade of the speakers plane but no complaints when 300 TON of AMERICAN DOLLARS were flown to Iraq and passed out to whoever wanted it. You people are truly UNBELIEVABLE!!
Posted by skyk

Very good post, skyk. This is just another example of the republican sh*t slinging machine in action. We've seen it a thousand times before, it is their only method of self-validation because their policies are so damaging to our country.

[skyk-2009]

Maybe during those twice weekly cross-country flights in her private 757 she can think of ways to cut CO2 output and conserve energy
Posted by rray52 at 05:36 AM : Feb 08, 2007
+ report this comment

Sparky, She and the Democrats have ALREADY paid America back for putting them in power, the rest is gravy. Do you think, even for a minute, that Sir Lies-A-Lot would be telling us anything OTHER THAN we are winning in Iraq, if NOT for Ms. Pelosi? Do you think even for a minute that the wages of the lowest paid amoung us would be going up, regardless of how much WE THE PEOPLE wanted it, if not for Ms. Pelosi? All the investigations into all the corruption of the Bush White House, although just starting, would NOT be possible without this woman. Maybe it's time for you in the hood and sheet crowd to sit down and shut up don't you think?

[jmagarotz]

Idea;
Give her the 757 with her name on it in BIG letters. In bigger letters, under her name print,
BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE DNC, BOUGHT BY YOUR TAXES!

LOL,LOL,LOL,LOL

[exusmcsgt]

A 757-300 costs between $82 million and $89.5 million according to Boeing's Web site, and that does not include any governmental upgrades (office build outs, communications capablities, etc.)

By all means, let's blow $100 million bucks just so Nancy won't have to gas up like the rest of us.

Pelosi's request smacks of "four legs good, two legs better" from Orwell's Animal Farm......

[rharrin1]

How did she commute before the dems became the majority? Apparently it was good enough or she would have resigned her position.

Wasn't part of the election about saving money?

[exusmcsgt]

I think she just wants to get used to riding in a plane the size of Air Force One. Since that will be her permanent transport once Bush and Cheney are impeached.
Posted by tru_america1 at 07:49 AM : Feb 08, 2007

Actually, Air Force one is a Boeing 747, not a 757, which is a much larger aircraft.

[gunownerdan]

When will America wake up?
The democrats and the republicans are DESTROYING OUR NATION!

[gunownerdan]

Oligarchy?
Aristocracy?
Plutocracy?
Take your pick!

[rray52]

Wow man, like feel the negative vibes

[olebd]

We need to stop giving all these politicians a free ride and bring them more in line with the real workforce. How many real American jobs include free transportation? I remember my dad having a company car....but that perk was many years ago just like traditional pensions.