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White House sides with Pelosi on plane

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published February 9, 2007

WASHINGTON - Democrat Nancy Pelosi got some support Thursday from the White House against a barrage of criticism over how she intends to get back home.

For security reasons, Pelosi, the new House speaker, is entitled to fly to her San Francisco district on military planes.

The House sergeant-at-arms, who helps oversee security for the House, suggested flying nonstop would be the safest way home for Pelosi, next after the vice president in the line of presidential succession.

Pelosi's request to fly on the military equivalent of a Boeing 757, with the latest in travel comforts, rankled some lawmakers, who said it was too expensive, especially considering that former Speaker Dennis Hastert flew in a commuter-sized Air Force jet.

The White House, however, said it's much ado about nothing.

"This is a silly story and I think it's been unfair to the speaker," said presidential spokesman Tony Snow.

Bill Livingood, the House sergeant-at-arms, said in a statement he recommended the Pentagon continue the practice, begun with Hastert, of flying the speaker back home.

After 9/11, the Bush administration agreed to provide Hastert with a military plane for added security.

"The fact that Speaker Pelosi lives in California compelled me to request an aircraft that is capable of making nonstop flights for security purposes, unless such an aircraft is unavailable," Livingood said.

Said Pelosi: "I have never asked for any larger plane. I have said that I am happy to ride commercial if the plane they have doesn't go coast to coast."

[Last modified February 9, 2007, 01:09:42]