| Submit your comments on this article |
| Home Front: Politix |
| Pelosi Made Repeated Requests for Military Aircraft, Documents Show |
| 2009-03-10 |
| Representatives for Judicial Watch, which obtained e-mails and other documents showing the requests, say House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has treated the Air Force as her "personal airline." House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has repeatedly requested military aircraft to shuttle her and her colleagues and family around the country, according to a new report from a conservative watchdog group. Representatives for Judicial Watch, which obtained e-mails and other documents from a Freedom of Information request, said the correspondence shows Pelosi has abused the system in place to accommodate congressional leaders and treated the Air Force as her "personal airline." The e-mails showed repeated attempts by Pelosi aides to request aircraft, sometimes aggressively, and by Department of Defense officials to accommodate them. "I think that's above and beyond what other members of Congress are doing and what is expected of our elected officials," said Jenny Small, a researcher with the group. The group reported that Pelosi was notorious for making special demands for high-end aircraft, lodging last-minute cancellations, and racking up additional expenses for the military. In one e-mail, aide Kay King complained to the military that they had not made available any aircraft the House speaker wanted for Memorial Day recess. "It is my understanding there are NO G5s available for the House during the Memorial Day recess. This is totally unacceptable ... The Speaker will want to know where the planes are," King wrote. In another, when told a certain type of aircraft would not be available, King wrote: "This is not good news, and we will have some very disappointed folks, as well as a very upset Speaker." Pelosi's office has not yet responded to requests for comment. |
| Posted by:Beavis |
| #7 I'll be interested in the details of her requests to fly 'her colleagues and family' around the country. Where, when, and how often were their flights..... |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2009-03-10 22:27 |
| #6 The support started after 9/11. Given that Pelosi et al think there really isn't a war or threat anymore, the rationale for the support is moot. Let's remember the next time Nancy is whining about Executive 'privilege' to bring up her Legislative 'privilege' acts as well when discussing encroachment across governmental branch lines. |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2009-03-10 21:45 |
| #5 Sarge, IIUC most of those requests were under Bush. Not that she's cut back on them, just that it started long before Obama. |
| Posted by: lotp 2009-03-10 20:42 |
| #4 First off the speaker should be entitled to the same access for someone of her stature (3rd in line). This sounds more and more like a a power play on her part to demand equality with the President. Love to see how thie sheep-fight ends. My money is on Pelosi. |
| Posted by: Cyber Sarge 2009-03-10 20:33 |
| #3 Oh. Fox News. Too bad Muddle America™ will never see this. |
| Posted by: Bobby 2009-03-10 18:03 |
| #2 Next time just attach her to the hardpoint of an F-16 in transit to the Left Coast |
| Posted by: Cheaderhead 2009-03-10 17:04 |
| #1 Pelosi's office has not yet responded to requests for comment. When the phone don't ring, you'll know it's her... |
| Posted by: tu3031 2009-03-10 16:53 |