W.H: 'Don't ask' repeal still on table

[Tx4obama]

Source: Politico

The White House called a meeting Friday afternoon to assure gay rights advocates that there’s no deal for President Barack Obama to sidetrack the effort to dismantle the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, even though time is quickly winding down in the lame-duck Congress, sources familiar with the session said.

About a dozen gay rights activists were summoned to the session, which lasted just over an hour and occurred in one of the federally-owned buildings facing Lafayette Park across from the White House, according to a participant.

“They fought back against all of the rumors that a deal has been cut,” said an attendee, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, due to the highly sensitive nature of the meeting. “They said, ‘The best evidence (against a deal) is that we would never have sent (Defense Secretary Robert) Gates and (Joint Chiefs Chairman Mike) Mullen out there if we weren’t serious about getting this done.’”

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1210/45947.html

[DFab420]

1. But but but

All of the opinionators and infotainers have told us Obama cut a back-room deal.

Even though they have no proof, and even though they call it wrong so often, they MUST be right about this one!!

[Skittles]

2. they don't want the votes of gay folk "off the table"

Dems will always toss the "WE'RE STILL WORKING ON IT!" bone

[tomm2thumbs]

3. An interesting look at 'Flip Flop McCain'

http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/flipflops

All you need to know about McCain and his 'taking a stand' - again and again (only to un-take a stand when convenient).

and I don't even think the DADT has been added to that list yet...

[Tx4obama]

4. Probable 'yes' votes

Republicans:
Olympia Snowe - Maine
Susan Collins - Maine
Scott Brown - Massachusetts
Dick Lugar - Indiana
George Voinovich - Ohio
John Ensign - Nevada
Lisa Murkowski - Alaska

Democrats that have gone from a no/maybe to a probable 'yes': Jim Webb (VA), Blanche Lincoln (AR)

Looks to me like we have enough votes :)


*Edited to add Collins.

[GOPNotForMe]

6. Don't forget Collins, Snowe's congenitally joined twin. NT

[Tx4obama]

8. Thanks I forgot to type her in. I added her to the list above. n/t

[shanti2]

9. I spoke to Mark Warner's staff today

and he is a yes for repeal of DADT.

[Tx4obama]

10. Thanks for the good news!

I can't add Warner to the list above because my editing time has expired ;(

p.s.

Kirk (Illinois) 'might' be a 'yes' too.
http://www.metroweekly.com/poliglot/2010/11/kirk-takes-office-dadt-repeal.html

[AlinPA]

15. "Lucy Collins" won't vote for cloture. None of the others can be trusted either. They are playing

a game to embarrass the President. Remember their goal to make him a one term president. The teabaggers are watching (except Voinovich)these people.

[Iggo]

5. For reals this time.

We're not kidding, guys.

Come on!

:eyes:

[GOPNotForMe]

7. Remember how many times the media reported that health care reform was dead?

Remember how cravenly they seemed to enjoy issuing that prognostication?

[boppers]

11. Remember how many times they screamed about "back room deals"?

I'm seeing some patterns evolving here....

:eyes:

[gtar100]

12. What did they say - Carrot still on stick? Didn't quite catch that.

Please clarify, Mr. White House, why you've been dragging your ass on this issue.

[Tx4obama]

13. Pentagon: No 'don't ask, don't tell' discharges in several weeks - since a rule change on October 21

Washington (CNN) -- The controversial "don't ask, don't tell" policy banning gay men and lesbians from openly serving in the military remains the law of the land, except perhaps at the Department of Defense.

No service members have been discharged under the 1993 policy for at least 40 days. Last year, the Defense Department discharged an average of eight troops a week due to "don't ask, don't tell."

In spite of numerous requests, the Pentagon has been unable to say exactly when the last "don't ask, don't tell" discharge occurred. Defense Department spokesperson Cynthia Smith said Tuesday none had occurred since at least October 21.

On that day, Defense Secretary Robert Gates changed the rules to limit "don't ask, don't tell" discharge decisions to senior civilian leaders instead of the uniformed chiefs of the four branches of the service, all of whom have expressed opposition to repealing the policy.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/11/30/dadt.discharges/index.html?hpt=Sbin

[aquart]

14. Like the public option?

Am I being too cynical?

[AlinPA]

16. McConnell said it was dead (today), didn't he? The senate won't have the votes next year.

Repeal of DADT is dead for a long time.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/05/mitch-mcconnell-dadt-repeal-tax-cuts_n_792193.html

[Tx4obama]

17. Republicans think if they say something enough times it'll become true. DADT repeal is NOT dead n/t