Imperial Pelosi

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi continues her unprecendented push for a large military jet to carry her and her political entourage coast to coast---at taxpayer expense. (Hat tip Red State Kids) The Corner, NRO:

The larger plane requested by Speaker Pelosi would include 42 business class seats, a fully-enclosed state room, an entertainment center, a private bed, state-of-the-art communications system and a crew of 16. (CNN, 2/5/07) · In contrast, Speaker Hastert "...used a smaller jet that seats 12 and has five crew members and none of the amenities." (CNN, 2/5/07)

Nothing but the best for the Imperial Pelosi. Washington Times:

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."

"TunaGate" was a reference to Democrats exempting American Samoa from legislation to increase the minimum wage. Star-Kist Tuna, whose parent company Del Monte Corp. is based in Mrs. Pelosi's district, had lobbied against the wage increase.

(Background on that here.) We most recently blogged about Ms. Pelosi and another of her flying friends here. Perhaps she could consider this mode of transport, adopted by Hillary on occasion.