Air Force: Pelosi Party Planes

“Politicians believe laws and rules (even the U.S. Constitution) apply to the rest of us but not to them. Case in point: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her excessive and boorish demands for military travel. Judicial Watch obtained documents from the Pentagon in 2008 that suggest Pelosi has been treating the Air Force like her own personal airline.” – Tom Fitton, Judicial Watch President

Back in 2008-10, was Nancy Pelosi a grandma groupie for the boozer band Guns N’ Roses? Were they her constant travel companions for 90 documented flights—many domestically from Washington-California—and others abroad? What else explains spending $101,000 in “in flight” services on Air Force jets over those two years? That’s almost $1,000 per week—just in food and drink alone. Naturally, only premium spirits for then-Speaker Pelosi and her unknown entourage! To name just a few brands consumed: Courvoisier cognac, Grey Goose vodka, Jim Beam and Jack Daniels whiskey, Bailey’s Irish Crème, Bombay Sapphire gin and Corona beer. And why shouldn’t this ruling class elitist be catered to when utilizing the Air Force as her own personal travel fleet?

Recall, Ms. Pelosi’s net worth is $100 million. Yet, why should she pay for this “free” government perk once at her beck and call? (A disclaimer: as second in line to the presidency, the House Speaker is technically permitted use of government-chartered jets for private travel.) In any case, why shouldn’t this modern-day Marie Antoinette take advantage of the taxpaying suckers stuck with her “queenly” (read: 2.1 million) bills? Likewise, for the American peasants, but never for “Travelin’ Nan”: inconvenient commercial airline schedules; time-consuming connections and delays; long passenger lines; luggage searches; airport check points, pat-downs and/or security wanding; a coach seat fit for a sardine—and the “bonuses” of stress and hassle with one’s meager packet of peanuts and a soda!

Despite the flak, fast-forward to today. This entitled crone still helms the Democrats as House Minority Leader. Tellingly, Nancy Pelosi’s 2011 Republican successor, John Boehner (R-Ohio)—and the current officeholder Paul Ryan (R-WI)—wisely swore off such an extravagance. At least for domestic trips, that is.

David L. Hunter is an Associate Editor at “Capitol Hill Outsider.” He’s on Twitter and blogs at davidlhunter.blogspot.com. He is published in The Washington Post, The Washington Times, “FrontPage Mag,” and extensively in “Patriot Post,” “Canada Free Press” and “American Thinker.”