http://www.thehill.com/news/101503/reconstruction.aspx
On returning from a trip to Iraq and Afghanistan, a group of Senate Republicans said yesterday that the Bush administration deserves a lot more credit for successful reconstruction efforts in those war-torn nations. Meanwhile, several Senate Democrats complained that they were denied access to a plane for a inspection tour of their own. �For whatever reason, Sens. [Chris] Dodd [D-Conn.] and others who requested the opportunity to travel were prohibited from doing so, and I think that requires a better explanation that the one I�ve been given so far,� Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) said. �We have no understanding. We were told that an [Air Force] airplane was not available,� adding that Britain offered them the use of an airplane. �If Britain can offer United States senators an airplane, you would think the United States government could do so as well.� Daschle added: �We have to assume that what [Republican senators] saw is accurate.� Democrats had planned a trip to Jordan with day trips to Basra, Baghdad and Israel. Dodd said he was �telling anyone who would listen� of his displeasure that Democrats were denied a plane for their trip. �The trip would have given us a great perspective,� Sen. Jon Corzine (D-N.J.) said. �It�s unfortunate that it didn�t happen. I hope it wasn�t a matter of politics.� He said the Pentagon told him there no planes were available to ferry the group from Jordan to Iraq. The Air Force maintains a special wing at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland to facilitate presidential travel aboard one of two Boeing 747 jets that are designated as Air Force One whenever George Bush is aboard. Other planes in the same fleet are made available to senior administration officials and members of Congress through the office of Andrew Card, the White House chief of staff. _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
