White House backs Pelosi on use of bigger planeBy JIM KUHNHENNThe Associated PressWASHINGTON — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., received some rare help Thursday from the White House against a barrage of Republican criticism over how she intends to get back home.For security reasons, Pelosi is entitled to fly to her San Francisco district on military planes.The House sergeant-at-arms, who helps oversee security for the House, suggested that flying nonstop would be the safest way home for Pelosi.Republicans, led by aggressive junior lawmakers, seized on the most extreme possibility: Pelosi's flying on the military equivalent of a Boeing 757 with the latest in travel comforts. Too expensive, some critics said. Too polluting, others said.Too much ado about nothing, the White House weighed in."This is a silly story, and I think it's been unfair to the speaker," presidential spokesman Tony Snow said.After the Sept. 11 attacks, the Bush administration agreed to provide then-Speaker Dennis Hastert with a military plane for added security during trips back home.House Sergeant-at-Arms Bill Livingood said in a statement he recommended that the Pentagon continue the practice of flying the speaker back home.The Pentagon this week told Pelosi's staff she would be provided with a plane but size would be based on availability and nonstop service not guaranteed."I have never asked for any larger plane," Pelosi said. "I have said that I am happy to ride commercial if the plane they have doesn't go coast to coast."Snow said he called Pelosi to make sure she knew the White House supported her.I don't know about you Guy's? But I got too much Crouch room in the trousers!http://www.usa.gov/http://www.house.gov/pelosi/http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/homeland/index.htmlhttp://www.irs.gov/