Lack of Presidential pressure concerning DADT repeal vote worries Servicemembers United

[Bluebear]

Alex Nicholson, executive director of Servicemembers United, said the prospects for passing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal are “reduced significantly” if Reid doesn’t schedule a vote on the fiscal year 2011 defense authorization before lawmakers break for the election.


...A lack of pressure from the White House is also seen as a concern for those seeking a Senate vote on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” this September.

Nicholson said it’s unclear whether the White House will push to have a vote on the defense authorization bill when the Senate returns from August recess.

“If the president were pressuring Sen. Reid to move the defense bill in September, it would likely get done,” Nicholson said. “But the White House does not always want bills coming up on the same timeline that we do.”

Nicholson said Obama could eliminate the uncertainty over a vote on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” by “publicly call for Sen. Reid to bring up the defense authorization bill in September.”

Shin Inouye, a White House spokesperson, said in response to an inquiry on whether the president would push for a vote on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in September that the president remains committed to the issue.

http://www.washingtonblade.com/2010/09/02/%E2%80%98gambling-with-lives-and-livelihoods%E2%80%99/

[Newsjock]

1. K&R

It's time for some of that much-promised fierce advocacy!

[Swamp Rat]

2. k&r

[mitchtv]

3. K&R

they're not the only one worried

[tnlefty]

4. Fierce advocate, remains committed to the issue...

Uh, umm, hemhawing, dancing around the issue.....

[Starry Messenger]

5. k & r

[amborin]

6. K&R

[ThomCat]

7. Yup, there's that fierce advocate, advocating for us or something...

:eyes:

[Bluebear]

9. Yes indeed.

[Zhade]

8. No way THIS administration is courageous enough to hold a vote before November.

Or, indeed, at all. given its track record on failing to follow through on equality. But then, the president holds a bigoted position on marriage equality, so it's not much of a shock.