A question: Why aren't House Republicans promising to reinstate DADT (or ban Gays completely)?

[brooklynite]

They were all opposed to DADT repeal, their base hates it, and it's going to be just as unsuccessful an effort as repealing HCR.

[JoePhilly]

1. Good catch.

[stevenleser]

2. I'm sure it is on their todo list. n/t

[kctim]

3. Because it is not a make or break issue

like a government mandate is.

[Gman]

4. It shows up as rather low in the focus groups

or else they would be clamoring to do it. I really don't think most of them are serious about repealing HCR but they know they'll get a tough primary opponent if they don't go through the motions.

[Still Sensible]

5. Because there is no outcome under which they could

declare victory. The public was in favor of DADT repeal before the vote and the only thing they could do would be to get another up/down vote that they would lose.

On the other hand, if they can just get some "bipartisanship" to roll back ANY of the endless list of provisions in the health legislation, regardless of how little, they can--and will--claim a tremendous victory.

Simple politics.

[slackmaster]

6. Because they're perfectly OK with gay people getting shot at

:shrug:

[gratuitous]

7. I think it's a pretty good question

During the run-up to the repeal, there was all kinds of "sky is falling" whining from the usual quarters. As soon as the deed was done, however, the Republicans seemed to give a collective "meh" shrug. I also noticed a lot of sour grapes comments "This was never a big issue," "Don't ask, don't tell, don't care" trying to minimize the repeal, but none of that comported with the previous shrillness and vitriol while the issue was still in doubt.

If it wasn't that big a deal, and if you didn't really care, Republican friends and countrymen, why didn't it get repealed sooner? Why did so many people have their careers ended, casting away their perspective and experience and arguably weakening our defense? What was the big stink about for all those years?

The truth is, keeping the ban mattered a lot to certain folks. They just can't bring themselves to admit how badly they lost this battle. And they'll lose the same sex marriage battle, too.

[walldude]

8. Part of the deal?

Was that not the bone thrown to us so we would shut the fuck up about that embarrassment of a tax bill?