11/20/2008 05:16:00 AM

Dana Milbank - Flying From Detroit on Corporate Jets, Auto Executives Ask Washington for Handouts - washingtonpost.com

Dana Milbank - Flying From Detroit on Corporate Jets, Auto Executives Ask Washington for Handouts - washingtonpost.com: "'There's a delicious irony in seeing private luxury jets flying into Washington, D.C., and people coming off of them with tin cups in their hands,' Rep. Gary L. Ackerman (D-N.Y.) advised the pampered executives at a hearing yesterday. 'It's almost like seeing a guy show up at the soup kitchen in high-hat and tuxedo. . . . I mean, couldn't you all have downgraded to first class or jet-pooled or something to get here?'

The Big Three said nothing, which prompted Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) to rub it in. 'I'm going to ask the three executives here to raise their hand if they flew here commercial,' he said. All still at the witness table. 'Second,' he continued, 'I'm going ask you to raise your hand if you're planning to sell your jet . . . and fly back commercial.' More stillness. 'Let the record show no hands went up,' Sherman grandstanded."

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