Dems Worry 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Repeal May Be Lost In Senate Gridlock

Politico:

Congressional liberals were heartened when Barack Obama pledged to repeal "don't ask, don't tell," but their initial elation has given way to concerns the repeal will stall in the penalty box of presidential promises: the U.S. Senate.

Obama's historic commitment -- featured prominently in his State of the Union speech last month -- helped soothe his frayed relationship with the politically powerful gay and lesbian community.

Read the whole story: Politico

Comments

[BVictor1]

11:10 AM on 02/12/2010

That's because dems are too scared and week to actually fight to get something done. Sometimes it actually make me embarrased to be one.

[GoldStarMom]

01:39 AM on 02/12/2010

The vast majority of American citizens support the repeal of DADT. The head of the JCOS supports it as well. Once the military works out a plan to implement the change, what member of Congress would be stupid enough to vote against the expressed wishes of those who hve the power to vote them into, or out of office?

[oafishcad]

10:09 PM on 02/11/2010

Puhleez. The Democratic Party will be happy as clams if gay people would disappear from the face of the earth, just as the GOP would. Those pesky, all men are created equal, do unto others as you would have others do unto you ideas are so cumbersome and politically poisonous. God forbid politicians would grow a pair and stand up for the Constitution or the golden rule ( I know religion, blah, blah, blah). It took the courts, and Kennedy's assasination to drag black equality into the spotlight. They won't mind one bit if every promised bill to gays disappered into the Never, Never land of the GOP saying Never to everything and anything.

[ldcbl]

06:43 PM on 02/11/2010

obama should be able to change the rule by executive order. he is the commander and chief of the armed forces. he as such should be able to trump any congressional law- but idonot purport to be a constitutional expert-

[Ron1951]

04:17 PM on 02/11/2010

If senators like John (I can change my mind whenever it will benefit my election)McCain would bend over and look up into the area where the sun doesn't shine, the bill will be found. Sorry John, Colin Powell exposed you for what you really are.

[Left Banker]

01:51 PM on 02/11/2010

Why is the repeal a problem? Just attach it to a defense appropriations bill and dare the Republicans to filibuster it.

[Bystander]

04:38 PM on 02/11/2010

Where were the Democrats when they had super majorities to pass anything they wanted? Just shows how low this issue is on the list of Democrat priorities...and justifiably so.

[StevenWells]

06:34 PM on 02/11/2010

Reality check: the "super majority" - something they never really had - was a creation of the media.

Repubs - 40
Dems - 58 (including DINO's such as Nelson, Baucus, etc.)
Ind - 2

Until Mass.

[Elderlady]

01:02 PM on 02/11/2010

The "gridlock" exists solely in the mind of a spineless Majority Leader.

Without the imposition of some discipline in the Democratic caucus..... there's no incentive not to be the next Ben Nelson.... on any and all legislation.

The Democrats are as much to blame for this as anybody.

[hallowellboy]

12:39 PM on 02/11/2010

Obama and the Democratic Congress are still lying about their concern of blatant discrimination against Gay American servicepeople. They had ample time to overturn this horrific discriminatory act but did not. Now they whine their hands are tied because the Republicans wont help. Well Mr. President and Democratic Congresspeople, you will feel the fire when you run for re-election. You are no better than your alleged opposition party. Ask not for whom the bell tolls......

[Budokan]

12:24 PM on 02/11/2010

Reid will fold like wet cardboard. He always does.

[sunshine14]

12:24 PM on 02/11/2010

No other nations today has this problem at all, over this issue..UK asked , done, they voted yes in days, over with. And there was only one soldier who left. UK had the same people like, republicans, out their instilling the same fear mongering, came also in UK, will put soldiers in danger in war time etc, you name it, same thing republicans are doing now.. instilling fear mongering etc. All went great over done with. What is this really about with republicans? religion their belief? In other nations even with abortion never like this here ever. All believe it is ones personal choice in faith, personal choices, for all know each will be accountable for their own choices..Do not agree, etc but their free will give by the creator, they will answer to him not us in the end.

[naschkatze]

12:19 PM on 02/11/2010

The convenient excuse for all their failures. Gridlock with a super majority? You want to see gridlock wait until next November. If they don't get anything done now, it will never get done.

[kforce]

12:19 PM on 02/11/2010

Why wouldn't it get lost in "gridlock?" Everything else, from the ridiculous to the sublime, is locked in the ludicrous, offensive struggle between these two utterly ineffective (albeit for different reasons) parties.

[larmarch5]

12:02 PM on 02/11/2010

We need every Dem to put up a Sillibuster Chart showing the number of holds, filibuster threats, and failures at cloture for the past 50 years (by year not by congress session number) along with what it costs the taxpayer each day the Congress is in session: salary, staffers salary, commisary, utilities, security, tech support, communications. Call it the GOP Sillibuster of 2010.

[jerryatthebeach]

12:00 PM on 02/11/2010

My only fear would be abuse to those openly serving, as long as they conduct themselves to military code, but it could still happen anyway. It probably would be better to study this during peace time, not in the middle of 2 wars.

[sunshine14]

12:31 PM on 02/11/2010

No problem in UK happened period. Abuse by who? To who?

[brahdog]

12:46 PM on 02/11/2010

the middle of 2 wars with no end in sight? meanwhile losing more and more qualified service members to this bigotted policy.

[towny]

11:59 AM on 02/11/2010

The Dems are like herding cats.Gees they really PISS ME OFF! They have so much in-fighting it's crazy!
The RETUGS do fall in line like good soldiers when they want something. They stick to the MEMO!

[Left Banker]

01:56 PM on 02/11/2010

Yes, the Republicans goose-step to a different drummer but are you saying we should become more like them? I admit those Nazi uniforms are really snappy but I draw the line at invading Poland.

[GoldStarMom]

01:44 AM on 02/12/2010

Fanned for the great mental image!