Olbermann: Obama Stonewalling On "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (VIDEO)

Keith Olbermann brought on author and noted gay rights activist Dan Savage to discuss whether President Obama is stonewalling on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT).

Savage makes the important point that, just as Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has suspended enforcement of the 'widower's penalty,' which forces the deportation of someone who has been married to a U.S. citizen for less than two years, Obama has the executive authority to end the military discharges of gay and lesbian service members that are the result of DADT while Congress debates repealing the policy.

Considering that we're in the middle of two wars, there is a compelling national security imperative to do this. Savage sarcastically wondered if Napolitano has executive authorities that Obama lacks.

Watch the interview below.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Comments

[Artemis34]

From The Onion

Gays Too Precious To Risk In Combat

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aotlEpmAFVQ&NR=1

[GayGrandpa]

If not now when...lives are being destroyed everyday!

[superstition]

Obama deputy campaign manager abandons DOMA & DADT as priorities
http://www.americablog.com/2009/07/obama-deputy-campaign-manager-abandons.html

"After two weeks of the Obama White House reeling over the gay backlash caused by the anti-gay DOMA brief, which compared gay marriage to incest and pedophilia, we now have...

First, that the burden for doing anything pro-gay in the remaining three and a half years of the Obama administration is now shifted to Congress. Obama has no role whatsoever, and no power to influence anything, even though he's still the leader of the free world.

Second, the three big gay rights priorities that Congress should be focusing on do not even include what have organically become the community's top two priorities: repealing DOMA and Don't Ask Don't Tell. They're not even mentioned in the Obama deputy's essay."

[rharris513]

Olbermann was not on last night. Anyone know if it was a punitive measure for saying the G-dam word about Obama on Tuesday?

[superstition]

Rachel Maddow has also been off the air lately.

[sqwerl]

liberals are the easiest people to manipulate. election after election, you continue to believe the rhetoric, and obama is the rhetoric master. He is a centrist. Just look at his scotus pick. read her decisions, she is center right.

[lovetheworld]

Olbermann stepped over the line by saying Obama was "goddamn wrong" about what he was doing regarding DADT. I used to be the biggest Olbermann fan, but he lost me when he said that.

[rharris513]

I feel Olbermann was RIGHT ON! DADT is a disgrace. Obama himself said DADT "weakens National Security." As the Commander in Chief, if the President sees a threat to National Security, has the authority to quell it, and does not use his authority, then he is "God Dam ned Wrong!"
Thank you Keith!

[canadiansoccermom]

I find it frustrating that the media, including Huffpo misrepresents the truth. It is very disturbing that not only is the GOP trying to take Obama down but the more liberal commentators are doing their damage as well. I wish journalism was true to its art and not used as a game.

This is my concern:

He is like Hitler. He is a socialist and a communist. He is actually a Muslim so he is with "them" and not "us". He thinks he is the "One" or Democrats think he is the "One". He is the d*v*l himself (this one is an underlying theme not spoken about in the mainsteam). He is in the news too much. He wants everyone to like him. He's an apologist. He drove Sanford to cheat on his wife (Limbaugh). He's "stonewalling".

All these GOP talking points sound ridiculous to reasonable, critical thinking people. Hitler's method was that if you say something often enough people will believe it. This sounds impossible. However, a conversation with my father (who loves Obama) concerns me. He said, "He's in the news too much, he wants everyone to like him". My concern is that while many people are reading critically now, many others are still falling for the divisive fear mongering, Reps and Dems as well.

[canada64]

It is very disturbing. The most disturbing of all is that none call out these liberal commentators. Most thinking people don't take right wingers seriously. However, when liberals/left wingers join in with the Obama bashing meme, this has the potential to do great damage to the democratic party. But the thing to remember is that these very loud toxic voices are not representative of the majority of americans. Not yet anyway.
America, just as the world is watching Iran it is also watching you and how you are treating and misrepresenting your president who is beloved by the world. The entire world can see the great job he is doing. Whether you believe it or not that is the truth. Most people in the rest of the world can think for themselves.
Don't blow this chance you've been given to set your country straight. This president is trying to bring your country into the 21st century. I think it's difficult for you to see this because you've been so insulated and not exposed to much outside your country. Your country is decades behind other developed nations, if you don't catch up now you never will.

[superstition]

He said that sexual orientation has no relevance regarding eligibility for military service. That means the firings should have ended on day one.

Decades of stonewalling, and still more from the Obama administration.

"The 1957 Crittenden report found that gay men posed no great national security risk in terms of susceptibility to extortion.



The 1988 PERSEREC/S­arbin-Karo­ls report concluded that homosexuality was as unrelated to military job performance, as was right- or left-handedness.



The 1989 PERSEREC/McDaniel study found that in terms of background characteristics prior to entering military service, gay men were "as good or better than the average heterosexual" in terms of suitability for positions of trust -- that is, gay men did not appear to be a national security risk.

"

"The 1993 RAND report was not the first time the research was ordered by politically accountable members of the executive branch rather than by politically insulated members of the military services. And the report was made public almost immediately, while the Crittenden report was buried for 32 years. The PERSEREC/S­arbin-Karo­ls report was tied up by the Pentagon for almost a year. The second PERSEREC report (McDaniel) was never submitted to DOD."

http://books.google.com/books?id=Go9XsJ47GswC

[denicci1977]

Definition of a Rabid Left Wing Loon : "I'm going to support Palin because Obama is not moving fast enough to my preference" blah blah blah blah....As if that is going to make it all better. You think you're mad now, just wait....

[goodnightandgoodluck]

I know no liberal progressives (especially gay ones) who are contemplating voting for Miss Alaska. What on Earth are you talking about? Just wait for the next election cycle. We're not guaranteed a Democratic majority forever, especially if these DINOs keep voting against the progressive agenda. Democrats need to learn from President Bush. Even if you don't agree with his policies you can recognize his ability to take advantage of a majority to push his agenda through. I don't think it's too much to ask for this President and this Congress to take advantage of this opportunity to advance the gay rights and the progressive agenda.

[denicci1977]

You missed the bus....Nevermind.

[rharris513]

I NEVER heard any democrat threatening to support Palin (or any other rabid right winger). However, by NOT voting at all, the Democratic Party will learn the hard way that it must follow through on its promises made and not neglect a bloc of voters who helped get them elected because of political expediency.

[LLWillis]

From the beginning, my read on Obama's position on DADT and DOMA is that the offending legislation has to be repealed for there to be a lasting change. If he takes executive action, it takes the heat off legislators to step up and do what needs to be done. And I agree with that. A half solution just means the problem comes back as soon as the Republicans next get a shot at it.

As for the generational thing (and I have no basis for this) I hear him saying that he has a generational problem in Congress getting the repeal(s) passed (see my point above), not necessarily in the military. To do this, and do it right will take time.

Personally, given all the other important things that are going on, I wish that the legislators would step in and draft and sponsor legislation (on DADT and DOMA) and work to develop the coalition to get them passed, so the President doesn't have to take the lead. The public is behind it. For practical purposes, it probably makes sense to do one at a time, and my sense is that DADT is easier to sell, so do it first.

[manlambda]

Sorry this is short sighted. Senators have to answer to their constituents back home. It is much easier to go back to your state and say I supported it because the president was really pushing it. A popular president tempers the backlash they could face. That's why it is important for the president to take the lead.

[We-Are-The-Ones]

If Senators cannot stand up and do their jobs, they do not need to have their jobs. Not only Senators are up for election in 2010. They are simply used to having an excuse to not do anything hard.

It is a new day and all hands need to be on desk in order to save the myriad of problems this country faces.

Cowardly senators need to find some courage or go home. No hiding behind the President.

[Belthazar]

The President cannot give cover to all Democratic Senators. Let us not forget that McCain won approximately 22 States, at least 10-States by more than 10 percentage points. And not so surprising, those D-Senators have been very quiet or against repealing DOMA/DADT.

The LGBT community has to strike at the heart of what those Senators care about most: SURVIVAL, whether blue, red, or purple state. They have to threaten to withhold support, funding, or run a primary candidate during the next election(s) - build a strong coalition and not alienate supporters. The focus, as difficult as it will be, should be to bring/keep the 60 with a D behind there named together.

And YES the POTUS has to use the bully pulpit. However, you simply cannot exert pressure on the Prez and not address the extremely political nature of Congress.

[We-Are-The-Ones]

Excellent.

Congress needs to do its job. We have excellent leadership in the House and there is no reason why the current bill to repeal DADT has been stalled there.

The leadership in the Senate? Not so powerful there. May need to replace Reid in the 2010 election. He is generally ineffective.

[goodnightandgoodluck]

"A right delayed is a right denied." - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

[sturzl]

Will and WATO,

I agree that keeping a level is a good thing for our community to do now that President Obama has addressed our issues. I will remain cautiously optimistic that he will continue to fight for us. I have to ask if you think that much of the positive stuff happening this week would have occured if many of us hadn't made noise and expressed our anger? I find it hard to believe that staying quiet on this stuff would have done much good. Your thoughts?

[We-Are-The-Ones]

I think ALL of the positive stuff that happened this week would have happened regardless the anger.

The Stonewall event was mentioned back in April/May during one of the press briefings/gaggles. Someone specifically asked Bill Burton whether the Prez would be commemorating Stonewall and he said "yes." But again, the press did not report this and acted like it was put together at the last minute.

Same with the DOD and Pentagon trying to figure out how to repeal DADT. The President and Press Secretary have both talked about this numerous times, regarding how to repeal DADT. Gates has talked about it, including how restrictive it is. Admiral Mullens talked about it. This has been on numerous Sunday TV show and such.

So, I am not advocating staying quiet. To the contrary. I say broaden the focus beyond Obama. We have several bits of legislation that we could affect. We need to include Congress.

[W i l l]

Being firm, and reminding President Obama things said during his campaign is one thing. Flipping out, spitting bile, and otherwise coming unhinged...is another. Especially when it's based upon utter nonsense from people whos legalesse (John Aravosis) had them thinking they knew what they were doing when they picked that DOMA battle.

That was a huge blunder. Which resulted in many straights wondering what gays were doing perpetrating the very double standard they s'posedly oppose. Ala, deciding for others whos worthy to lawfully wed.

Meanwhile, the Obama administration was already making headway with the DoD regarding DADT. As well, they were already pushing to provide those limited benefits to federal employees. Please don't think those benefit granted happened overnight as was portrayed by Maddow and Olbermann. Its a slow process to fend off the old guard and their myopic views. Very slow.

For some four weeks now, the angry side of the GLBTcom has flat out been in the wrong. Which, not suprisingly, has done much to fuel the contrived justifications of the homophobe crowd.

[W i l l]

There's a great big common interest out there in the nation's headlines.

Rally around Francine Busby!

[We-Are-The-Ones]

Is this the woman running for office in Cali and had a fundraiser at two lesbians house, which was then raided by some nutso police officer?

[manlambda]

WATO so he is my question? Is the president the leader of the Democratic Party or not? If he is he should be showing real leadership by pressuring Congress which he now has a filibuster majority to move on DADT and DOMA. Which begs to question? Is he not showing any leadership here or is he and the Democrats are ignoring him. Either way is not good. A real leader shows leadership by actions not words.

[We-Are-The-Ones]

Leadership is shown in many ways. See http://psychology.about.com/od/leadership/a/leadstyles.htm

Is the Prez the leader of the democratic party? In some ways yes; in others no. The leader of the DNC is Tim Kaine. The Prez style of leadership appears to be to involve all interested parties and to allow people to do their work, without him dictating.

Further, the President does not dictate to the Congress. By the Constitution, there is a separation of powers. So, he needs to work with Congress and has done so.

Harry Reid stated that the Senate does not work "for" the President, but "with" the President. The President has to work with the leadership in the House (Nancy Pelosi) and in the Senate (Harry Reid). They work together, but only Congress passes legislation.

On DADT, they are working not only together, but with the Pentagon given that we have two wars. On DOMA, the Prez has asked Congress to repeal DOMA. In the usual process, as I understand it someone needs to sponsor a bill, there are co-sponsors, discussions, vote, send to the Senate/House, discuss, vote, and then reconciliation. This hasn't started, YET.

You and I feel may be comfortable with different styles of leadership. I am comfortable with everyone doing their jobs. I am comfortable with "us" as a powerful, participating force. I say lobby EVERYONE.

I am interested in pro-LGBT legislation passing, regardless of who leads.

[manlambda]

I'm sorry but you are wrong here. The president needs to show leadership. He has a filibuster majority. He should be using the bu//y pulpit to get the legislation passed. What he is showing is he is not the fierce advocate he claims. A fierce advocate fights for something instead of waiting for others. Again proof that he has not shown true leadership. A leader does not wait for others.

[aftershock]

"Harry Reid stated that the Senate does not work "for" the President, but "with" the President. "

He also asked the President to lead on the DADT issue.

[manlambda]

So from your link the president would be a laissez faire which is the least effective. By your own words he needs Congress to send him a bill. So instead of engaging and getting someone to sponsor them he is waiting on them.

[canadiansoccermom]

The President's style of leadership is valued in the Human System's Approach which states that people are happiest if they feel they had a say in changes or ideas. It is his way of bringing everyone on board.

[We-Are-The-Ones]

The President's town hall on Health care is on now. CSPAN or CNN, and I am sure other places.

[Louisknyc]

I have health insurance. Health Care is NOT a big issue to me.
I've decided to act just like the heteros on here who have all their basic civil rights and who ask us to be patient.
As I have health care, I don't intend to spend much time worrying about whether folks get insured.
Sound selfish? you bet. Think about it everyone.

[We-Are-The-Ones]

The President promises to reform health care this YEAR. While people are hurting now, he is working on it. The Congress is working on it. People are calling it, writing and e-mailing.

Similarly, he is working on repealing DADT. It may happen this YEAR. WE need to work on it. There is a bill in the House to repeal DADT we can help unstall. It has been in the House since March.

[canadiansoccermom]

I was raised in the most liberal minded city in Canada. I side with rights of all humans to be able to love whom they want. No one should be able to decide if you are to be married or not. However, the negativity is too much for me. I can just imagine how you are turning off those to whom you are trying to express your frustration.

[Disuberence]

I don't think anyone will understand your post that doesn't spend an unusual amount of time lurking on these boards. Like me!