The Advocate: Where did we get where we are on DADT? (White House had "no interest" in 2010 repeal)

[Bluebear]

Now we know what we get when we try to drag people across the finish line. The White House and the Pentagon apparently had no interest in repealing “don’t ask, don’t tell” this year even as Congressman Patrick Murphy and senators Carl Levin and Joseph Lieberman soldiered on with the mission....

So how did we get where we are? The White House and Gates seemingly didn’t want a vote this year. Activists wouldn’t let up. Murphy, Levin, and Lieberman put in a heroic effort to salvage repeal. And in my estimation, when Levin was one vote away in the Senate committee, White House officials realized the repeal train was leaving without them and not hopping aboard was a no-win situation. If it passed, they would get no credit; if it failed by one vote, activists would castigate them for withholding support.

This compromise could still fail, and make no mistake, the deal was brokered by the White House, which then treated it as the redheaded stepchild it never wanted in the first place. But the outcome — win or lose — now has the administration's fingerprints on it, even though its refrain since Monday morning has been that Congress was forcing its hand.

Sadly, the best-case scenario — passage — will do nothing to stop the discharges in the near term. It is a critical step that removes the first roadblock to changing the policy at some indefinite point in the future. Passing the measure would not immediately repeal the law — instead the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy will continue until the DOD study is completed and Gates, Mullen, and Obama certify that repeal can proceed.

No matter what happens during the votes Thursday and Friday, the White House will deserve credit only after the law is repealed and replaced with a nondiscrimination policy. And if Congress votes to cede authority over the policy to the administration, President Obama will be uniquely empowered to issue an executive order that guarantees all Americans the opportunity to serve their country with integrity and honor.

http://www.advocate.com/printArticle.aspx?id=114445

[Touchdown]

1. Yep. There's that fierce advocate again.

:eyes:

At least gay people will now be a part of the imperial services of big corporations disguised as a defense force.

[xchrom]

2. Red headed step child indeed. Nt

[Dinger]

3. .

[FreeState]

4. K&R

My prediction is if its passed it will not be implemented before the 2012. DADT repealed and ENDA passed and signed into law are my requirements to vote for Obama period.

[msongs]

5. profiles in cowardice (w/apologies to the JFK book) nt

[Name removed]

6. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Touchdown]

7. K&R. My, how quickly you die.

I feel so.... supported!

[Thrill]

8. More likely, trying to hide the many Democrats

who don't want to repeal it.

[Touchdown]

9. Who are they?

Let's post a list.:shrug:

[Tailormyst]

11. Bigots or cowards, one or the other, including the president

And not ONE will get my support in the future.

[Tailormyst]

10. Dear Obama White house: I have no interest in helping YOU in 2012

[EFerrari]

12. Could someone please tell me if the Get Equal people

were only a momentary mobilization? They were great.

/ack

[FreeState]

13. They are still active - just announced they hired full time staff today!

Here is their website: http://getequal.org/

[EFerrari]

14. Thank you!

That's really great news. :hi:

[Bluebear]

18. You conjured them up :)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8423782

[Bluebear]

15. Sweet!

[laughingliberal]

16. K & R nt

[EFerrari]

17. .

[Bluebear]

19. .