Pelosi's Push for Plane Prompts Partisan Pettiness

This article in the Washington Times is just hilarious. It's about Speaker Pelosi's efforts to obtain an Air Force jet to shuttle herself, staff, and family wherever Madam Speaker wants to go. Some highlights:

Meanwhile, Republican Conference Chairman Adam Putnam of Florida said Mrs. Pelosi's request represents "an arrogance of office that just defies common sense" and called it "a major deviation from the previous speaker."

Minority Whip Roy Blunt of Missouri called it a "flying Lincoln Bedroom," and Rep. Patrick T. McHenry, North Carolina Republican, labeled the speaker's plane "Pelosi One."

"This is a bullet point to a larger value -- Pelosi's abuse of power continues," Mr. McHenry said yesterday. "It began when the speaker denied minority rights to Republicans, continued with her 'TunaGate' scandal, and now she's exploiting America's armed forces and taxpayers for her own personal convenience."

A "flying Lincoln Bedroom." Now THAT is funny.

More...

The source said the Pentagon will likely give in to Mrs. Pelosi's requests for a large plane and travel entourage, given her and Mr. Murtha's power over defense spending.

Mr. Raimo argues that Mrs. Pelosi needs a military aircraft, as opposed to commercial flights, for security reasons.

The defense source, who asked not to be named, termed her request "carte blanche," saying she wanted a plane that could carry an entourage just like President Bush, who flies on Air Force One, and Vice President Dick Cheney, who also always flies on military planes.

Just like the President and Vice President. Who does she think she is? Do they have to butter her head to get her through the front door at the Capitol?

Looks like she will get her way, but it appears that there may be some subtle blackmail involved, given Pelosi's and Murtha's "power over defense spending."

Mrs. Pelosi wants a larger aircraft that can fly to her home district of San Francisco nonstop.

Non-stop? Heaven forbid having to set down in "Flyover Country" to refuel.

I don't begrudge her having use of a military plane, especially since her predecessor had one. But it appears that she is getting just a might greedy with the "scope of services" she is expecting the Air Force to fulfill.

And where are the global warming folk on this one? A huge airplane to fly a handful of people cross country on a regular basis? I feel it getting warmer outside already.