Senate delays vote on ban on gays in military -negotiations are still ongoing

[The Straight Story]

Senate delays vote on ban on gays in military

WASHINGTON — A proposal by Senate Democrats to repeal the military's 17-year-old ban on openly gay troops stalled Wednesday after a key Republican refused to sign on and Democrats feared a critical test vote would fail.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid continued to talk with Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine about how he could win her support, Reid spokesman Jim Manley said. Collins' vote is considered critical to the monthslong effort by Democrats to repeal the 1993 law known as "don't ask, don't tell."

"We're getting close, but negotiations are still ongoing," Manley said.

A provision that would overturn the law — contingent upon certification by the president and the Pentagon that doing so won't hurt military effectiveness — is included in a broader defense policy bill.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40570463

[Drale]

1. Whats to negotiatiate?

its either yes or no, this is one of the few laws that is that simple.

[xchrom]

2. Oy. Recommend. Nt

[Fearless]

3. Manley? Oh the irony.

[Jamastiene]

4. Well, I'm glad they are trying.

I hope they can work it out, but I'm not going to let myself get overly optimistic.