The Hill predicts "political disaster" for Obama if DADT repeal is abandoned

[Bluebear]

The need to shepherd the defense authorization bill through the Senate in the lame-duck session has left the Democratic leadership with a precarious dilemma.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) may not be able to secure enough votes to pass the bill because of language repealing the ban on gays in the military. Stripping that provision may be the only way to pass the legislation, which authorizes funding and sets policy for the Pentagon.

But abandoning the effort to repeal the “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy would be a political disaster for President Obama, who made a campaign promise to end the ban.

And with a Republican majority in the House and diminished Democratic numbers in the Senate in the incoming Congress, the lame-duck session may be the last chance to repeal “don’t ask” before the 2012 presidential campaign begins in earnest.

If Reid isn’t able to move the repeal through the Senate, Obama will have to explain to his liberal base why he failed to follow through on a central promise from his 2008 campaign.

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/129091-dont-ask-dont-tell-presents-dilemma-for-dems-in-passing-defense-bill

[BrklynLiberal]

1. Guess Reid better get his party together and move that repeal thru the Senate....as he should!!

Isn't that his job?

[karynnj]

21. It is certainly his job to try - but he will need 60 votes for each of two cloture votes

I assume what he needs to do is to make sure people like Collins and Snowe are ok - last time the problem seemed to be party politics - on both sides. I am 100% for the Dream Act, but had Reid agreed NOT to have an amendment for that on the bill, they might have gotten Collins - and that was all they needed then. Now, they need two Republicans because Kirk will be taking Burris' seat.

But, there is no way for Reid to pass it without some Republicans. But - I think there are some who can be pressured - I think Scott Brown might be another.

[MadHound]

2. Hmm, will the Congressional Dems and the administration actually stand up and fight for this?

When their own ass is on the line, will they finally find a spine? Or will they simply fold, as they have time and again.

If I had to place a bet, I would bet on folding.

[donco6]

3. It will be stripped and passed very quickly with little debate.

We have no advocates in Congress who have the spine to take anything on.

[Not Me]

4. 70+ freakin percent of the country supports repeal of DADT

wtf????????????

[Bluebear]

5. "God delivered me from homosexuality!" - Donnie McClurkin onstage at Obama event

That was just the opening act. :(

[TexasObserver]

6. Departing Democrats will show no courage.

Once a congress person is beyond their last election but still in office, the odds that they will do anything other than try to feather their own bed upon leaving office is remote.

[EFerrari]

7. You'd think that Democrats could raise a ruckus over Republicans blocking

this of all bills.

The Republicans could do it in a heartbeat and all we'd hear for a week is that the Democrats hate America and can't keep us safe.

JUST DO IT.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

8. No doubt, the Fierce Advocate will veto the bill if the provision is taken out.

And, there will be a sale on sno-cones in hell.

[LonePirate]

19. The only thing he is a Fierece Advocate for is continued bigotry.

If this repeal is not passed, I will not vote for him in 2012.

[struggle4progress]

9. Congress is a separate branch of government from the Executive. Just saying

since some of our dear friends seem unaware of basic facts like that

[joeybee12]

11. Some of our dear friends also forget that Congress is set up as a reactive branch...

the Executive the pro-active branch, that's why the President needs to at least voice SOMETHING about this...anything....still waiting....

[struggle4progress]

18. Well, there's a novel theory

[no limit]

10. If they had any spine they would let the GOP filibuster this. My guess is they dont have the guts

[EFerrari]

13. Or, they're just not interested. n/t

[no limit]

14. As absurd as that seems I'm starting to think you might be right.

Seems like all of this is starting to be just for show.

First Romney care that gave a nice hand out to the insurance and pharma interests
Then this deficit commission meant to slash medicare and social security
Then caving on the tax cuts
and now they can't even get DADT repealed which the military and the public supports in huge majorities.

This with the largest majorities any political party has had from what I know.

It has to be by design.

[xchrom]

12. Recommend

[foxfeet]

15. K&R nt

[David Zephyr]

16. K&R. We will soon known (46 days) if it's a political calculation Obama is willing to make.

No one in the LBGT community here at the DU has defended this President here more than me. I think you can attest to this.

That said, he has 46 days now to keep his word to the men and women who are risking their lives everyday for this nation who are LGBT. He sold our community on this. I'm counting on him to do so. We will soon find out.

Thanks for posting this article and for being so vigilant these on this. :)

[Jackpine Radical]

17. Oh, the gays aren't part of his base.

Just like the Progressives aren't.

His base consists of the Blue Dogs and Undecideds. He'd do anything to keep their vote.

[PBS Poll-435]

20. Don't Care. Right vs Wrong has always had a political price in this country. nt

[TriMera]

22. k & r. n/t

[Freddie Stubbs]

23. I'm not sure that repealling DADT was a "central promise" of President Obama's 2008 campaign

And it does not appear to be at the top of the list of voters' concerns either, unfortunately.

[stillwaiting]

25. To the gay community it sure was a central promise. nt

[Bluebear]

26. It sure was when he asked for gay money and votes. nt

[Skittles]

27. yes, it very much was

[Starry Messenger]

24. recommend