Obama's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Repeal To Be Delayed, Report

Washington Times :

President-elect Barack Obama will not move for months, and perhaps not until 2010, to ask Congress to end the military's decades-old ban on open homosexuals in the ranks, two people who have advised the Obama transition team on this issue say.

Repealing the ban was an Obama campaign promise. However, Mr. Obama first wants to confer with the Joint Chiefs of Staff and his new political appointees at the Pentagon to reach a consensus and then present legislation to Congress, the advisers said.

"I think 2009 is about foundation building and reaching consensus," said Aubrey Sarvis, executive director of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network. The group supports military personnel targeted under the ban.

Read the whole story: Washington Times

Comments

[Driver1914]

Before everyone gets up in arms about broken campaign promises how about wait until he's in Office and THEN let's see what happens. This quote isn't from him, any member of his transition team or any cabinet appointees....let him get in Office first

[LittlePurpleUSA]

Uhm ... WT is acting like this is an EXCLUSIVE! But Obama has always stated that he would consult Joint Chiefs of Staff and Military leaders before repealing DADT

http://littlepurpleusa.blogspot.com

[Fein]

The Military's anti-Gay culture is an integral part of it's ideology.

It won't seccumb to a simple legislative decree.

[loggerboots]

Gay whitemale Obama voter. If Obama doesnt dissolve DADT.In the first 6months of his administration,newly energized gay men and women will START MAKING A LOT OF NOISE. Not a good Start to a promise filled administration. WE are not sitting back anymore and being used. ALL HE HAS TO DO IS SIGN IT INTO LAW ON 01-20-09 THE END.

[jacqmac]

You know what? I firmly believe that 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' is going to be repealed. I ALSO believe that Obama is doing the SMART thing. He wants ALL his ducks in a ROW and doesn't want a major public battle over something so really small compared to say---the MATTHEW SHEPHERD ACT or EMPLOYEE FREE CHOICE ACT. I remember when DADT was implemented--ALL the Joint Chiefs were screaming bloody murder, including Colin Powell. Time has tested gay troops. Gays bleed as red as any straight soldier. Signing into law on 1-20-09 is NOT 'all he has to do'. I further recall that it was Clinton's notion that he 'owed' the GLBT community 'something' for helping to elect him in the first place and there was NO real plan involved before making his intentions known. QUIT ACTING LIKE A SPOILED BRAT and give the MAN A CHANCE TO BE PRESIDENT!!

[weatherwaxx]

He can repeal DADT, yes -- but the default is a lot worse; it gives the military authority to "ask" - to investigate any 'suspected' soldier in pretty much any way they want to.

When he was a candidate, Barack Obama said he wanted to get rid of the gay ban by putting it through Congress so that it became law -- much harder to repeal than an executive order. President-Elect Obama taught Constitutional Law -- he knows how to do the thing right so that it stays done.

[NeoStar9]

Exactly. You can't simple go around repealing things left and right. You have to look at what the fallout will be and there could be serveral which in turn can create other problems. At the moment it's like a calm lake, pool, etc. DADT is a rock in the middle. Repealing it is removing the rock however that creates a massive ripple effect. However the rock is so deep that while removing it you not only cause ripples but you are dropping other things that are unseen into the water as well. You have look at all of the angles in regards to this.

Removing DADT does not mean things will be fine a month, year, or perhaps even a decade later. It doesn't get rid of the feelings some people have. It being out in the open could very well be even more dangerous then it is now. At least now there is a bit of anonymity. These are the things you have to account for. What might seem like a good idea or logical on the outside doesn't always play well on the inside and the other way around.

[leftoflennon]

Yeah right. Do your next best.

[NeoStar9]

They can make all the noise they want. Him doing it himself won't fix anything. The next president can come in and simply undo it. It has to be an actual law that goes through the Congress with support. There is no quick fix to this problem if you are serious the addressing the issue.

He can't sign anything into law as there has been no law proposed. Look beyond your nose on this one and look at the big picture here. This is not a simple matter now matter how much you'd like it to be. Nothing ever really is.

[Smurfysax]

Ridiculous!!!

A gay person can shoot a gun just as well as a straight person can. In the same way a black person is no less capable than a white person. Gay people feel pain and bleed red just like the rest of us. I'm not gay and I don't necessarily condone the life style, but give me a break! If I'm being shot at or need to be rescued, I really don't think it will matter to me whether the person is gay or any other issue that's different than me or mines. Just protect me and I you. If men and women can server together, gays should be allowed to server as themselves. Now DON"T ruin it by causing controversy when you do get certain privileges!!!

We Americans need to leave the trivial stuff alone and focus on the broader picture. What you do in your bedroom is your business, just don't bring it to my house and don't teach my children that it's okay when I tell them it's not. We're good as long as we have bounders.

[suejester]

I would just like to point out, it's not a lifestyle.. it's a life

[weatherwaxx]

So you'd let a gay man save your life, but you wouldn't let your kids know he was an okay human being? That's mighty white of you. And yes, that is sarcasm.

[FlamingLibrul]

You're forgetting about all the service men and women who have lost their military careers for being Gay. That's the real issue here. Remember how a shortage of military Arab interpreters came to light, and then several of these same interpreters were discharged under DADT? I don't even know what to say about your last statement. Gays are good enough to shoot straight and possibly save your life, but you wouldn't have any over for dinner... nice.

[Daniboy]

Barack can always make this a 2012 promise!

[Daniboy]

An Executive Order takes five minutes with a swipe of a pen. The time excuse is a very poor excuse. You better come up with something better!

[Dave01]

All he can do with EO is repeal it. At that point the military is free to ask and kick out. How's that?

Give him time to do the damn thing the RIGHT way! So it sticks!

[Daniboy]

I thought this was a no brainer for all Libs-the don't ask don't tell policy does not work. Barack better act quick! Is Barack saying that Bush might be right?

[rollingdivision]

Guess the idea is break all the campaign promises early, give his supporters plenty of time to forgot, make-up and set his supporters up for the 2012 campaign promises. Words, just words!?!?

[jacqmac]

Have YOU applied for a job in the Obama administration or offered your suggestions on the Change.gov website or are you just sitting at home typing and fuming because you may not get all you wanted for Christmas this year? If you have so little faith in this, one of the SMARTEST Presidents we've elected lately, I doubt that you actually supported him in the first place.

[rollingdivision]

The progressive candidate make all the promises and is now backing down on them even before taking office. Personally, I am pleased that he is doing what he promised the progressives (liberals) because those policies would be very bad for the country. I would wait on judging his wisdom and abilities yet and caution that the world is full of smart unsuccessful people.

[KarlaElisa]

I would like to suggest a ' So What, Who Cares? ' policy to replace DADT.

Anyone willing to serve that physically can, should be allowed.

[LWilkinson315]

In all fairness there are more important things that need to be put first like the economy

[TommyObama]

In all fairness, when one has a staff of hundreds, how long does issuing an EO take? Yes, consult with the Joint Chiefs, but 2010?!

[Daniboy]

Let's blame Bush for Obama not changing this excutive order-the Bush bashing goes on! Barack has alot of promises to keep-now it's time to pay the piper!

[weatherwaxx]

Oh, we can blame Bush for his own crimes and stupidity. Obama isn't even in office yet. Bush is still blaming Clinton for everything that happened in the last 8 years!

[DJ23]

Daniboy
"Let's blame Bush for Obama not changing this excutive order-the Bush bashing goes on! Barack has alot of promises to keep-now it's time to pay the piper!"

I get these sense that you will disapprove of whatever Obama does. That's without reading any of your past comments. The tone of your post leaves no ambiguity about your leanings. Call it a hunch.

I'll now go and check your past comment to confirm.

[DJ23]

I was right! Remember this quote Daniboy?

Daniboy See Profile I'm a Fan of Daniboy I'm a fan of this user permalink

We are one America-people like Ayers, Wright, and Resko are great Americans. Middle America better get use to them if Obama wins. Ayers should be Sec of Education.

Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 06:33 PM on 10/23/2008

[Daniboy]

This can be done with a simple executive order-Obam is breaking a promise-gays should be very unhappy!

[CEKChuck]

I believe Obama said that he would make the repeal in consultation with his commanders, so he has not yet broken his promise. I think he should be cut some slack; he's trying to approach this in a way that doesn't duplicate Clinton's ham handed attempts.

[Daniboy]

He's had two years or more to think about this-no excuses please. Promises are easy.

[naviline]

I agree. He wants to ensure that it will be done in a way that will garner full support for the gay community and reduce the chances of discrimination, repeal or backlash.

[jmk65]

what consultation does he need? how many countries already have an open g/l policy with no issues. you think the joint chiefs will want this?

the president must lead by example and use an executive order to dissolve it asap!

[jacqmac]

QUIT TELLING ME HOW I SHOULD FEEL AND ACT! GET A LIFE!!

[harriscrl3]

You know I wish people would realize that the country is in very bad shape and that everything can't be done at once thats why they give Presidents 4 years. I expect the economy is going to consume a lot of Obama's time unless some other unforseen problem erupt. Its just sad that Bush left a economy on the verge of collapse as part of his legacy apparently two unresolved wars was not enough.

Carol

[rollingdivision]

He is now unable to sign an executive order?

[OS2Guy]

Total bullpucky harriscrl3. Obama stood out there on that campaign trail and lied to gay people repeatedly, promising to end the discrimination so prevalent in the armed services for that last 100 years. And then he promptly breaks that promise. All it takes is one executive order and you know it. His Bible just won't let him do it. You voted for him and you got him.

[Smurfysax]

Simmer down OS2Guy,

The man hasn't even take office yet and y'all, yeah I said y'all, are already pointing out broken promises. Seems like any opportunity to confront and criticize is good.

News flash people:

BARRACK OBAMA WILL NOT BE ABLE TO FULFILL EVERY PROMISE ON DAY ONE OR OR DAY 365. Give the man an opportunity to screw up before you say he's screwed up!!

For Crying out loud!!!!!!!!