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A number of viewers have asked why last night's investigative story on the use of corporate jets by members of Congress featured 6 Republicans and only one Democrat.
Our story was driven strictly by the numbers. We looked at an equal number of high-ranking Democrats and Republicans now in Congress and counted the number of flights taken on corporate jets over the last 5 years. What we found is that, among current members, the top fliers were mostly Republicans. The top three we mentioned had almost 100 flights or more. Sen. Harry Reid, the top Democrat in our survey, had 37 flights. Here are the numbers:
(1) Sen. Trent Lott = 114 flights
(2) Rep. Roy Blunt = 104 flights
(3) Rep. Oxley = 94 flights
(4) Rep. Tom DeLay = 65 flights
(5) Sen. George Allen = 39 flights
(6) Sen. Harry Reid = 37 flights
(7) Sen. Bill Frist = 34 flights
We derived these figures by checking filings by individual Senate/House members and leadership PAC records. We culled these records from the Federal Election Commission. However, because members of Congress are allowed to report so few details, the FEC records are vague and it is difficult to decipher whether flights are on corporate jets (at reduced rates) or on regular charter flights. To ensure accuracy, we provided each individual congressional office with our list of flights to make sure that they were precise.
Why are more Republicans using private jets? One reason may be that they have controlled Congress for 12 years. If Democrats had controlled Congress, I suspect we would see much higher numbers for many key Democrats than we found this time. Also, some Democrats who heavily used corporate jets--such as Sen. John Edwards--are no longer in Congress.
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TONIGHT ON NBC NIGHTLY NEWS
SO WHOSE GONNA DO A THING ABOUT IT.WHEN THAY GET VOTED IN TO OFFICE THAY ARE SET FOR LIFE LIVEING OFF TAX DOLLER'S. MOST BECOMEING MILLIONAR'S THAY COULD ALL BUY A NEW JET.BUT WHY SOULD THAY RIGHT? THERE'S A NAME FOR THAT.
DENNIS FRIENDSHIP WI (Sent May 12, 2006 9:36:56 PM)
We here in Oregon are being told that our not-so-beloved Senator Gordon Smith is rife with "swag in his holds" into the pockets of lobbyists and that he is resisting a congressional investigation of senators who purloin eggregious "gifts" compliments of the corporate faction. With this elucidation of "corporate gestering" it is understandable why Senator Smith doesn't want to look further into the morass of "honoraria" bestowed on a not-so-neutral government. Would you want to know what gift horses your feeding bags have been attached to or who benefits from the feed bag that these "perky" senators feed from? Quite surprised that our noted Senator Smith isn't on your list.
(Sent May 11, 2006 4:00:19 PM)
Lisa, great job. Thanks for the clarification. Coming from NBC this report is somewhat of a surprise considering more and more NBC has sounded like the town crier for this administration. How much time did Rice get yesterday starting with the Today show.
No rebuttals. Why not?
Dianna, MoValley, IA (Sent May 11, 2006 1:24:52 PM)
Readers should know by now, when MSNBC puts out a story like this one, it HAD to have all the facts straight. Otherwise the editor would never have let it hit the net. They have pressure from more then one side at a time.
Too bad we can't see the ones that don't make it; Now that would be news.
G. Behrend (Sent May 11, 2006 3:18:28 AM)
Uh-oh, you guys are pushing the envelope..... a story about corrupt Republicans…
As Matthew notes, it's nice to see NBC interact with viewers.
To me, however, it highlights the main-stream-media's fear and capitulation to the Right Wing.
Just look at how Lisa Myers goes running for the hills screaming that she is not a liberal and has no liberal bias (which she shouldn't).
Don't get me wrong, please keep bringing these abuses of power to light and holding leaders accountable - but please do not be scared to let the facts take you where they lead (regardless of who the facts make look bad).
Thank you for this report.
Dave B., Baltimore (Sent May 10, 2006 8:55:27 PM)
Its nice to see a response to the right wing complaints. It shows NBC is listening. I hope NBC will continue the practice with left wing complaints.
Matthew Cowan Mechanicsburg (Sent May 10, 2006 5:59:22 PM)
Thank you for the clarification. We really appreciate it!
Lawrence, Dalton, GA (Sent May 10, 2006 3:38:50 PM)
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