DADT Repeal To Get High-Profile Endorsement From Obama In SOTU

[Jennicut]

By: David Dayen Tuesday January 26, 2010 8:57 am

President Obama will reportedly discuss repealing the military’s Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy in tomorrow night’s State of the Union Address. This was apparently the reason why Carl Levin postponed a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the policy, scheduled for this week.

Levin was told to hold off on announcing the hearing until after the president’s address Wednesday, according to a Senate aide. Levin was also told that Obama will address the issue of “Don’t ask, don’t tell” in his speech on Wednesday, but Levin does not know what’s in the speech, the aide added. Levin also mentioned this in a huddle with reporters on Monday.

A source familiar with some details of the initial draft of the State of the Union said it would address the repeal of the controversial law. Obama has made it his campaign promise to repeal the Clinton-era law. Obama has come under increasing pressure from gay-rights advocates to move on the repeal.

As John Aravosis notes, a passing mention of DADT will not be quite enough here – Obama needs to lay out a strategy for passage, followed up by concrete steps beyond that. But Levin’s postponement in anticipation of a high-profile mention does appear to be good news for gay rights advocates, who have been unhappy with the pace of change under the Obama Administration.
http://news.firedoglake.com/2010/01/26/dadt-repeal-to-get-high-profile-endorsement-from-obama-in-sotu/

If he really (finally!) pushes for this I and many others here would be extremely happy. But I shall wait and see. Remains one of my biggest disappointments with Obama so far.

[johnnie]

1. Good

I hope he does this. I can understand maybe it taking a bit of time to work out any policies concerning this. From what I've seen though, the younger people today are a lot more accepting than when I was younger and even when Clinton passed this.

[Jennicut]

2. I was 18 when Clinton was forced to compromise on it.

I would say Gen-X and the generations behind me are a lot more tolerant...though I would say there is increased tolerance across the board.

[jenmito]

3. I hope he does lay out a concrete plan to repeal DADT. It's past time!

[Peacetrain]

4. K&R!!!! Sounds good to me!! long past time

[jenmito]

7. Thanks for rec'ing my post!

;) :hi:

[Teaser]

5. well this is good.

but also, finish HCR.

[jesus_of_suburbia]

6. Excellent!

[Clio the Leo]

8. Tomorrow night is going to be interesting. NT

[Jennicut]

9. Update: Gibbs says it was discussed, but he is not saying what is in the speech.

Many drafts are done before the final draft and some things can change. I hope they do keep it in.
http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/01/26/Gibbs_DADT_Considered_for_SOTU/

[cherokeeprogressive]

10. Okay, I'm going to start holding my breath riiiiiight.... wait not yet let me take another larger

one. Okay, I'm going to start holding my breath riiiight... NOW wait let me get a drink of water first. Okay, now I'm ready. Holding my breath riiiiiight... NOW no I'm not in a comfortable enough chair... let me move to that one over there. NOW, I'm ready. Holding my breath riiiiight... NOW dammit I gotta go pee. Be right back. Ahhhh, that's better. Let's try this again. Holding my breath riiiiight... RING damn it's the phone. Wrong number. Holding my breath riiiiight... what's that on the window? Is that a speck? Let me clean that in case I have company... Okay. NOW, WITH NO MORE INTERRUPTIONS, I'm going to start holding my breath riiiiiight (yawn) damn I'm getting tired. Are you getting tired?

[jenmito]

11. Yes, I'm getting tired...

of people making negative comments about something positive Obama's going to say and do. :eyes:

[cherokeeprogressive]

14. So if it gets a "high profile" endorsement tomorrow night, expect a personal apology from me.

If not, I won't hold my breath until it DOES get moved to the top of the list.

GLBT rights are HUMAN rights.

[jenmito]

15. OK. I will expect it.

And of COURSE GLBT rights are human rights. :shrug:

[cherokeeprogressive]

18. You have my word.

[Jennicut]

17. I hope it happens because it is more important then just Obama and

progressives. It is important for human rights, so you are correct on that.

[TheKentuckian]

12. AKA here's your bone now give us your wallets

[jenmito]

13. AKA he can't do ANYTHING to please some people.

[Jennicut]

16. No, they are permanently angry.

And hate him. I prefer to watch and see what happens. This, combined with the Volcker rule, would make me very happy indeed. It depends on Congress of course and I have very little faith in them at times.

[whistler162]

22. On this and other subjects some believe he can

change a law with one swipe of a pen!

[ProgressOnTheMove]

19. I think this is where it went wrong in MA, if we can at least make an attempt to repeal it...

that would get progressives re energized. If he does this he at least gets te ball rolling, and that can grow to other things exponentially.

[donco6]

20. I'll be watching. n/t

[whistler162]

21. Great now where is Congress!