Senate Dems claim enough votes to repeal 'Don't ask' policy

[ruggerson]

I'm glad to see that the Congressional Democrats are fighting back and not letting this slide. And I'm glad that the President sent his team down to the Capitol to strategize on this along with the GLBT attorneys and advocates. My guess is we're going to score a win for the good guys on this - I hope I'm not wrong.

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/130043-senate-dems-claim-enough-votes-to-repeal-qdont-askq-policy

"Senate Democrats are confident they have at least 60 votes for a Defense Department authorization measure that includes a repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.

“I am confident that we have more than 60 votes prepared to take up the defense authorization bill with the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ repeal, if only there is a guarantee of a fair and open amendment process,” Sen. Joe Lieberman (Conn.), an independent who caucuses with Democrats, said at a Thursday morning press conference. “I repeat, there’s more than 60 senators, I’m convinced, who are prepared to vote for this bill including ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

Lieberman acknowledged that Republicans are insisting on a deliberate, protracted debate on the Clinton-era policy, which is tucked into a massive measure that authorizes policy, spending and benefits for the military.

Republicans are expected to insist on the right to offer a long list of amendments and force votes on them. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has threatened a filibuster the policy, which bans openly gay people from serving in the military.

McCain offered no change of position to The Hill on Thursday during an interview.

He maintained that he has problems with the Defense Department study, which he said wasn't a survey, but rather a study about how to implement a policy reversal. And, he said only 28 percent of military personnel responded.

"All I want is a study that assess the impact on battle effectiveness and morale of a repeal," McCain said. "The so-called 'survey' was on how to implement a repeal."

[gateley]

1. Jesus, what IS it with McCain and this issue? He's like the last man standing.

I don't get it.

[bigdarryl]

2. almost all people his age have the same mind set

[gateley]

5. And many people his age start losing their mental faculties, too. He needs to

be removed from office. For his own safety and the safety of the people of Arizona.

[DrToast]

3. He's a horrible human being

I think that's about it.

[Beaverhausen]

4. I wonder how much of it has to do with the fact that his wife and daughter are not on his side

that must really piss him off.

[krawhitham]

9. doth protest too much??

[liberalpragmatist]

13. Barack Obama is president

He HATES Obama, and will righteously oppose ANYTHING if Obama is for it. Never mind if he supported similar policies at various points.

The thing is most Dems mistook McCain back in the Bush years. He's just a dick - he hated George W. Bush because Bush beat him and then out of anger started voting with Democrats a bunch. Later, he gets beaten by Obama, redirects his anger, and starts voting against Obama on everything.

He's just a dick.

[jenmito]

6. McCain is not needed to get to 60, which is good, because he will NEVER be

for the repeal of DADT. He has to reward the RWers who voted for him. He'll keep moving the goalposts. He already has. But if he filibusters, they better MAKE him really filibuster.

[craigmatic]

7. I doubt it but we'll see.

[krawhitham]

8. Maybe the should work on votes for extending unemployment

[quakerboy]

10. Don't claim it.

Do it.

Then move to the next thing. We are on a schedule here.

[jenmito]

11. Rachel is covering this now! n/t

[Clio the Leo]

12. The fact that we've got 3 GOPers willing to support is major...

.... we're to the point where I think folks are starting to see that repeal is inevitable and the only question is on what side of history they're willing to stand.

[Starry Messenger]

14. I am cautiously optimistic.

Fingers crossed. Thank you for the update ruggerson.

[Pirate Smile]

15. I think it will happen - but then I'm one of the few that thought this was exactly where were headed

all along. The survey is supposed to give the Republicans some cover.

Probably the main drama will be about what, if any, Amendments the Republicans, along with some Conservative Democrats, manage to stick onto the Bill.

It reminds me of the Stupak Amendment getting attached to the House HCR Bill because I think the Dems will swallow A LOT to this passed. I hope they stick together and don't let any poison pills get attached.

The Republicans did actually run some of those "Senator/Representative _____ voted to let sex offenders get access to viagra" commercials.