Patrick Murphy Defends Obama, Vows DADT Repeal

Last week, we noted that Pennsylvania Representative and Iraq War veteran Patrick Murphy had assumed the role of chief sponsor for the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, which is the bill that would repeal the longstanding "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" rule forbidding gays and lesbians from serving openly in the military. At the time, Murphy told his constituents, "I have been speaking out against for many years against "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" -- first as an ROTC cadet, then as a professor at West Point, and later as a candidate and a congressman. To now take the lead on such an important piece of legislation is an honor and a privilege beyond words." Yesterday, in a live comment chat on AMERICAblog, Murphy answered questions, and spoke on the matter in greater detail.

Murphy came ready to outline his approach to getting the MREA passed:

I'm a very aggressive person and we have a multi-tiered plan of attack on this. First, I'm meeting one-on-one with all my colleagues in Congress (especially conservative Democrats and reps in tough districts) on both sides of the aisle. Secondly, we're doing the Voices of Honor Tour going around to hit strategic congressional districts where we can most effect change. If you have an idea for additional places we should visit email me at letthemserve.com. Obviously, I'm working closely with the White House and have been having discussions with the Department of Defense.

It's hard to nail down a firm timeline at the moment, but it's something I want to happen as soon as possible. The key is making sure we have the votes -- 218 -- to pass it. We're getting closer every day. Today we're at 162 and we're not going to quit until we get it done.

Asked why President Barack Obama hadn't done more with his executive authority to repeal the law (for example such as using his stop-loss powers), Murphy defended the president's approach:

I think that this is a really tough issue and there have been a lot of calls for the President to do this. I know I mentioned it before, but the President -- to his credit -- seems not to want to ignore standing law that was passed by the Congress.

We had a saying at West Point "Take the harder right over the easier wrong." The President doesn't want to clearly contradict US law, even though I feel that this law is fundamentally wrong and discriminatory. It shows why Congress needs to change it. We've gotten 16 congressmen and women in the first week to come on board, but we're not stopping until we get the job done. In fact, we just got an additional cosponsor today -- so we're up to 162.

Frankly, as much as I admire the fight in Murphy's belly, I think that when it comes to the elocution of first-order principles for elected officials, Murphy hits this on squarely on the head:

A lot of folks are asking me if this is in the best interests of my political future, especially considering I only won my first election by 0.6%. But too often in Washington people worry about keeping their own seats safe as compared to doing the right thing and bringing about the change our country needs. So in this matter specifically, national security and equality trump political expediency.

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Comments

[tdpubs]

I see that the worry worts are still fretting. Back in 08, everyone was so concerned that Senator Obama was blowing his chances to win the primary, then he was blowing his chances to win the presidency.

He has said over and over and over that one person cannot make effective change in this country against the entrenched special interests without popular support. We all need to organize and fight for it with him.

This is like high noon when the townspeople all hid behind their doors while the sheriff faced down the bad guys coming in on the noon train. Let's organize and tell our neighbors about what is good for this country. Let's hang together so we don't get hanged alone. Rep. Murphy out there fighting for civil rights, let's get out there and fight with him. Call congress.

[lennix]

damn somebody with some sense thanks Mr, Murphy

[AAKAlan]

God bless him.

Don't worry about your re-election, I and many others, will help provide whatever funding you need.

Keep up the good work - doing the right, instead of the expedient.

[PlaceboStudman]

I gotta say, the more I hear this man talk, the more I like him.The fact that he is a veteran will give him a lot of credit in the eyes of his neighbors in congress, that the president doesn't have, sadly. And I happen to be one (of the few) who agree with him, that this is not the president's fight to fight, this is congress's fight to fight, and more importantly, OUR fight to fight on the grass roots level. Can you imagine the backlash it would cause politically if Obama did suspend the discharges by presidential dictate? Any gains we have made in health care and energy and his other priorities, which are just as important BUT NOT MORE IMPORTANT, would be obliterated by Republicans and Blue Dogs.

That being said, this is a recent update, as the number has grown to 162, and the last I heard, the number was 121. So, obviously Mr Murphy must be doing something right. I like the fact that he's going "door to door" so to speak, and talking to his esteemed colleagues individually and it sounds like in person.

Kudos Mr Murphy...Keep on fighting!

[PitBull6]

I agree; it is US code which prevents homosexuals from serving openly, not military (and by extension, presidential) policy. In fact, DA/DT took a loop hole in the law and extended it.

[LynnW49]

I never thought I would hear these words again from an elected official: But too often in Washington people worry about keeping their own seats safe as compared to doing the right thing and bringing about the change our country needs. So in this matter specifically, national security and equality trump political expediency."
Bravo, Patrick. Now to get the President and Congress to step up to your level.

[policyhack]

Bravo Representative Murphy! The U.S. military provides some of the best leadership training available. Surely, it can manage the potential impact to its culture if gay soldiers serve openly. We have the finest military in the world. In the long run, that military will be even stronger if it includes the bravery and talent of all our citizens, including gay men and women who have already proven their ability and desire to serve our country.

http://axisofreason.com/2009/07/09/time-to-repeal-don’t-ask-don’t-tell/

[karl51]

You know, most of us have at one time or another had preconceived notions about some group or another and when we've actually met a person or persons in that group our prejudice melted away. I'll bet that having gay people serve in the military has already changed quite a few minds of personnel who had a phobia of gay people when they actually got to meet them. Not having gay people permitted to serve in the military is just bowing to people with those prejudices.

[BobSF94117]

162 stalwart Congresscritters willing to put it on the line and agree with 75% of the American public.

How "brave".

Brings tears to my eyes.

[MarinafromMaine]

I think it's important for the Obama administration and Democrats to portray this as primarily an issue of national security, and to get vocal support from leaders in the military.

Even Republicans and conservative Democrats who object to gay rights can tell their conservative constituents that they voted for the bill because we can't afford to lose competent interpreters, soldiers, medics, etc. in Iraq and Afghanistan, and that military brass are in agreement.

President Obama can then accuse those in opposition as preferring to compromise our national security and oppose the military will, all just to grandstand a conservative agenda.

[Ourrias]

I disagree. It is certainly NOT to Obama's credit that he won't ignore a law that Congress has passed.

What if Abe Lincoln had just gone along with the federal laws that allowed the southern states to continue to institutionalize slavery?

And, with all respect to Rep. Murphy ... he's not gay, and cannot therefore ever know firsthand the devastating effect of being drummed out of a major social institution (i.e., the military) for the mere fact of being who you are.

I am personally disgusted at Obama's lack of backbone on DADT. An executive order ending it tomorrow will in no way detract from, or scuttle efforts in Congress to deal with this legislatively.

[jcwtts1]

He did. Abe Lincoln said, "I will have the union with slavery or I will have the union without slavery but I will have the union." there was political will and a political process. The south seceded from the union because it was losing votes in the congress about slavery law.

J

[AJBF]

I agree. Obama wants to repel DADT, but at no political cost to him. He is a politician. So much for the honeymoon.

[Manx]

"The president...seems not to want to ignore standing law that was passed by Congress..."

Why is Obama so selective about the laws he wants to adhere to? He has completely ignored domestic and international laws against war crimes and torture by sweeping the scandal under the carpet - all for political expediency.

[jcwtts1]

no he hasn't.

[FearlessFreep]

So when will Dick Cheney be subpeonaed?

[CigarGod]

Yes he has.

[alieninvader]

Whining about Obama doesn't help. Calling and writing your Senators and Reps does.

[FearlessFreep]

"Whining about Obama doesn't help." And defending Obama CERTAINLY doesn't help!

[jubei]

Right and defending Obama doesn't help,whether you like him or not,whether you like his policies or not our President is biracial and you're gonna have to live with it for 8 yrs and if you don't like it take your ass to another country!!

[whomod]

John Avirosis must be having a meltdown right now.

[jcwtts1]

I will state this again, as clearly as I can. Rep Murphy is in a dog fight in Bucks County. There was always a chance he was going to lose the seat anyway but this damages him, how badly I don't know. But the solution is to fund him, over fund him. He needs money and he needs it now. This week, next week. He needs millions of dollars before 2010 so that people who want to run against him are given a moment of pause. Seriously, you have a guy willing to do the right thing and you have to, I mean you simply have to save him. If he doesn't have three times what his opponent has, he is going to lose. Bucks County is like Chester County it has places close to the city and rural communities. It is about fifty fifty and this is going to hurt him the rural part of Bucks. Seriously. If you have any money to spare in this crazy economy, give it to him. Now rather than later. Early money raises the dough. If he raised a million dollars in this quarter he would raise two million more just because he had the million. If he goes down the next person to champion this cause will be in 2017. Harsh but true. small donations. As many small donations as humanly possible. I'm not sure what would be more intimidating, millions of people giving 1 dollar or 10,000 giving a 100.

[unity08]

Great point. I will definitely keep Murphy in mind when I can spare a few bucks.

[denicci1977]

I'll happily donate to Rep. Murphy campaign. He is absolutely right !

[tdpubs]

Great point. That is one reason why we all have to stay on point and keep watch on all these pols. If we can identify the ones who are making a difference and cover them financially, maybe more pols will get it in their heads that they work for us not the corporations. I'm willing to support Rep. Murphy on this alone.

[mick7191]

Keep an eye on this guy. He has "It".