On the House floor, Republicans took discussion on an alternative-fuel bill and turned it into a debate on Pelosi's transportation arrangements, by introducing an amendment that included the word "aircraft." That was enough to provide conservatives an opportunity to characterize her as the Leona Helmsley of Capitol Hill.
It was predictable partisan politics until White House Press Secretary Tony Snow, of all people, leaped to Pelosi's defense, calling the hubbub "silly" and "much ado about not a whole lot."
"It is important for the speaker to have this kind of protection and travel," he said.
Democrats on the House floor, hardly believing their ears, seized on Snow's sudden FOP (Friend of Pelosi) status and invoked his words to knock down Republican critics. What went without mention is the belief held by many Democrats that the White House was behind the leak about Pelosi's plane problems.
While the presidential spokesman defended Pelosi's right to military security, the Republican National Committee -- usually a White House echo chamber -- was busy beating her up with blast e-mails about "Nancy's flight of fancy."
One matter was clearly settled.
The Defense Department concluded that Pelosi's husband could accompany her on the plane for "official protocol purposes," but other family members would have to reimburse the U.S. Treasury for the ride. Not invited aboard, wrote an assistant Defense secretary, are "non-U.S. government travelers, other than your immediate family."
By the day's end, one person seen as scrupulously nonpartisan in the Capitol expressed disappointment with the weeklong flap.
House Sergeant at Arms Bill Livingood, who oversees security at the Capitol and has served Hastert as well as Pelosi, said it was he who had recommended that Pelosi fly home nonstop.
"I regret that an issue that is exclusively considered and decided in a security context has evolved into a political issue," he said in a statement, perhaps one of the most restrained issued all day.
faye.fiore@latimes.com
