White House asks Levin to hold off on hearing to repeal ‘Don't ask, don't tell’

[kpete]

White House asks Levin to hold off on hearing to repeal ‘Don't ask, don't tell’
By Roxana Tiron - 01/25/10 06:55 PM ET

The White House has asked the top Senate Democrat on military affairs to postpone announcing a hearing that would explore repealing the controversial law that bans openly gay people from serving in the military.

Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.), the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, was expected to have Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen testify before his committee on recent calls to end the “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.

The hearing was expected at the end of January. Sources tell The Hill that even though it has not been announced publicly, the target date was Jan. 28, one day after the State of the Union address. But that would have required public notice ahead of the hearing.

Now the target date is expected to be Feb. 11, a source said.

more:
http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/77941-levin-asked-to-hold-off-on-dont-ask-dont-tell-hearing

[GodlessBiker]

1. Now, we can't even talk about repealing DADT. Pathetic.

[brooklynite]

6. Read the next paragraph...

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

Is it worth getting this worked up by a two week delay, as opposed to pre-empting something President Obama is going to talk about?

[GodlessBiker]

7. Based upon past history? Yes, it's worth getting worked up.

We will see what Wednesday brings.

[joeybee12]

8. "Levin was also told"

It's not like it's an unimpeachable source that is confirming Obama indeed is going to address DADT in the SOTU.

[TheWraith]

11. +1. This is basic message work stuff. nt

[dkf]

2. Ok where are the cheerleaders now?

When do we get to be disgusted?

[Bobbieo]

3. Are 'controversial law' the key words here?

[Toasterlad]

4. Fierce Advocate! Fierce Advocate!

[xchrom]

5. +1

[jgraz]

9. It might distract from the across-the-board spending freeze

:argh:

[flyarm]

10. wow..more of that Hope and Change!! WHIPEE..ohhh..nevermind..eom

[Jamastiene]

12. Why am I not surprised by ANYTHING any more?

We'll never see the repeal. It's just my gut feeling.