Pelosi wants military aircraft to escort relatives and California delegates

JaJae · 02-02-2007, 07:30 PM

Speaker pursues military flights*-*Nation/Politics*-*The Washington Times, America's Newspaper

The office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is pressing the Bush administration for routine access to military aircraft for domestic flights, such as trips back to her San Francisco district, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
The sources, who include those in Congress and in the administration, said the Democrat is seeking regular military flights not only for herself and her staff, but also for relatives and for other members of the California delegation.
[b]“They are pressing the point of her succession and that the [Department of Defense] needs to play ball with the speaker’s needs,” one source said. The request originally went to the Pentagon, which then asked the White House to weigh in.

It's not unusual for the speaker to have military shuttles. But for California delegates and her relatives? That seems a bit overboard, especially for someone who wants to pull out of Iraq and end military waste.

I also don't like the tone saying the DoD needs to "play ball" with her "needs." If anything this isn't a need, it's a privilege.

R-Type · 02-02-2007, 10:53 PM

Seems overkill.. In fact, i'd rather it most politicians use the same forms of transport citizens do whenever possible. It would be a powerful, psychological way of keeping their feet on the ground and heads on their shoulders..
Anyway, it shouldn't be either a 'need' or a 'privilege' but a matter of policy. If it's needed, fine, make it so. If not, then don't waste the money.

JaJae · 02-02-2007, 11:00 PM

I have no problem shuttling Pelosi around. She has a lot of reason to be in DC and in California and quite often running commercial flights could be damaging to her and therefore not in the best interests of our nation. However, her family and friends need to fly United. And demanding the DoD to play ball seems a bit overkill.

R-Type · 02-02-2007, 11:11 PM

Originally Posted by JaJae

I have no problem shuttling Pelosi around. She has a lot of reason to be in DC and in California and quite often running commercial flights could be damaging to her and therefore not in the best interests of our nation. However, her family and friends need to fly United. And demanding the DoD to play ball seems a bit overkill.

agreed.

motivez · 02-03-2007, 01:01 AM

What's the history on former speakers relatives, delegates, etc using the aircraft?

I'd have to know that before passing judgment.

6SpeedTA95 · 02-03-2007, 01:15 AM

I'd like to know what the history is. I agree with motz we need to see what past speakers have done.

Although either way I think its overkill.

motivez · 02-03-2007, 01:19 AM

Well, she still has to represent her district. If she needs access to other delegates to work on getting local stuff done while being Speaker, I don't see a huge deal as long as it's not abused.

Family members though? Uh... maybe if she's on the plane with them.