White House Opposes DADT Deal

[ProSense]

White House Opposes DADT Deal

By Kerry Eleveld

A top White House official issued a statement Monday evening saying the administration does not approve of any attempt to remove “don’t ask, don’t tell” repeal from the Defense funding bill to which it is currently attached.

“The White House opposes any effort to strip 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' from the National Defense Authorization Act,” said Dan Pfeiffer, White House Communications Director.

<...>

A spokesperson for Sen. Levin said Monday afternoon that he has been discussing with Sen. McCain the path forward on the National Defense Authorization Act, but she did not confirm whether the two were considering a version of the legislation that dropped the repeal provision.

“Senator Levin has been discussing with the Defense Department when the report relating to the ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy – due to the Secretary of Defense on December 1 – will be made available to Congress and the public, and he has also been discussing with Senator McCain how to proceed,” said Tara Andringa, spokesperson for Sen. Levin.

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[Unvanguard]

1. That's nice to hear.

So when Robert Gibbs said it wasn't a priority, what did he mean?

[JamesA1102]

2. Now where are all the people here who have been blasting the President

for compromising. Why aren't they here reccing this post?

[mitchtv]

13. because talk is cheap

and the Admin has very little credibility on this subject. WTF happened to Biden's "deal"?I, like many are waiting for something more than talk.(I'll believe it when it happens) there's your rec

[SunsetDreams]

15. I like action too,

How do you explain the phenomenon that some people in this country and on some sites believe what some blogger, analyst, media or pundit says might happen, or they "know" will happen?

[mitchtv]

16. easy

Talk is cheap

[JamesA1102]

33. Yes Talk is cheap

Tell that to Arianna, Jane, Cenk, Markos, Ed and Howard.

[rhett o rick]

36. I am glad to rec this OP, but think your gloating is premature. I will save my celebrating until

DADT has be eliminated.

[Scurrilous]

3. Thanks.

K & R :thumbsup:

[jenmito]

4. Thank you! K&R. n/t

[David__77]

5. "Oppose" or oppose?

Does that mean there will be a veto if it is removed, or is this a declaratory missive? We shall see...

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[bigwillq]

6. That's good.

Let's hope that discriminatory practice can end once and for all.

[jenmito]

8. Rachel Maddow will talk about this shortly! n/t

[jenmito]

9. Kick-Rachel's covering it now. n/t

[Proud Liberal Dem]

10. If only Obama would speak out against any DADT deal!!!!!

Oh, wait a minute...................:eyes:

What about the Log Cabin Republicans? Have they issued a position statement yet?

[mitchtv]

14. the LCR have actually done something toward repeal

other than talk, that is

[ProSense]

17. Are you

suggesting that they shouldn't do more in the face of a real opportunity to repeal DADT for good?

Three Republican Senators is all it will take and it's a done deal.

[mitchtv]

18. no that sounds great

collins.snow, and the dufus from MA would be good, what would be better is drop the appeal, and talk to some democrats who are hesitant like Lincoln and of course , "Bidens deal"

[Proud Liberal Dem]

24. You mean, LCR held a vote on it in Congress?

a vote, I might add, was pushed by Democrats (with the support of President Obama) and obstructed by Republicans. Had the LCR put just a little pressure on sore loser McSame to allow for an up-or-down vote on the legislation, DADT might be history by now.

[no limit]

31. I don't think anyone was asking him to speak out, people were asking him for action

now if he says he will veto the bill without that provision then that is action and I applaud him for that. It could mean a huge change in how this administration will deal with congress, which would be great.

But if he doesn't back it up with a veto threat his words mean absolutely nothing. So lets see what happens. My money is on the DADT provisions getting stripped and the president letting it happen. I hope I'm proven wrong.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

35. I hope so too

However, both President Obama and his top military leadership are publicly calling for DADT to be repealed, so it doesn't sound like they are backing away from supporting its repeal at all.

Now, if somebody (i.e. Log Cabin Republicans) had a little chat with John McCain and the rest of the Republican obstructionists on this issue......................

[ProudDad]

11. Good...

Even the blind squirrel occasionally finds an acorn...

Although if I were you I'd reserve final judgment until he signs the bill...

[applegrove]

12. I hate to play little sally who here but Why McCain. Why not leave the repeal in there. We need

all the soldiers and translators we can get to fight your wars? Is it because if someone knowingly admist to being GLBT and fights a war all the soldiers in his unit will love
him, as brotherhoods do, and they might then not vote "gay hate" anymore?

[Pirate Smile]

19. Meghan McCain needs to aim her efforts at her Dad instead of criticizing the man who kicked his ass.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

25. Good idea

I mean, she SAYS that she supports gay rights. Here's an excellent opportunity for her to demonstrate how much of a different kind of Republican she claims to be.

What about all those other Republicans coming out in favor of expanded gay rights? Once again, a perfect opportunity for them to speak out for equality that they claim to support.

[karynnj]

34. If it means anything, McCain is the ranking member of the committee

It is completely normal that Levin and he would discuss this. The question is whether the Republicans waiting for the report can be moved to allow the discussion to go forward - they would get another chance to filibuster to close the debate. I think we need two - if Webb will again vote to let it go forward - because Kirk will replace Burris. You would think that Scott Brown might be motivated given MA's all democratic wins and Collins said in her Senate speech that she was for that - just wanted chances for other amendments.

[nofurylike]

20. K&R! thank you for posting this, ProSense!! nt

[Mikeystyle]

21. If the GOP won't support gays in military, maybe they'll support them in the airport washroom????

Faced with the eventual repeal of the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy on gays in the military, a group of current and former Republican lawmakers introduced their own proposal on Wednesday whereby gays would be allowed to serve in the military as long as they provide graphic details about their encounters. They call it “Don’t Ask, DO Tell.”

“I want to hear all their sordid tales,” said former Sen. Larry Craig. “I mean, where are they getting together? Are there any positions I’m not aware of? It’s time for gays to come out of the men’s rooms and give some pointers to those of us living in denial. When I think of all those buff military guys doing what comes unnaturally I just uh…. excuse me….. I gotta find a restroom.”

(continued…)

http://www.thechicagodope.com/2010/10/27/republicans-call-for-%e2%80%98don%e2%80%99t-ask-do-tell%e2%80%99/

[Smashcut]

22. Will he veto a bill that doesn't contain the repeal provision?

[polichick]

27. Good question - a line in the sand is called for. nt

[no limit]

30. This. Saying you oppose something doesn't mean anything if you won't back it up with action

[tavalon]

23. Why?

[SidDithers]

26. K&R...nt

Sid

[VMI Dem]

28. ...

:rofl:

[disillusioned73]

29. Kick...

and now let's hold them accountable to this standard.

[SunsetDreams]

32. kick