Webb Leaning Against DADT Compromise

Carl Levin will spend Tuesday afternoon whipping up support from his Senate Armed Services Committee colleagues for compromise legislation to repeal the military's Don't Ask Don't Tell policy, the Michigan Democrat told reporters after a meeting with his colleagues.

Levin, the committee chairman, said he wasn't sure if he had the votes. "It's not safe to say the votes are there. I'm hopeful," he said. "I've got a long afternoon ahead of me."

With 16 Democrats on the committee, Levin and the measure's cosponsor, Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), can only lose one defector if the 12 Republicans stay united in opposition. Committee member Jim Webb (D-Va.) told reporters Tuesday he was leaning against it. "If you look at what the White House said and you look at what Secretary Gates said, they both said they would prefer to go through the process that Admiral Mullen and Secretary Gates announced in February. I don't see any reason to preempt that process," he said after Tuesday's caucus meeting. Asked if that meant he was voting no, he declined to say.

Levin said that he has not spoken to Webb, but that Gates's comments will give it a boost -- rather than hold back the effort -- because the Defense Secretary said that while it would not be the policy he prefers, he does support it.

"I thought it was very supportive, because he said he supports it. A lot of people around here don't prefer outcomes, but they support the outcome. That's what counts," said Levin. "I can't tell you how many times I've voted for something I didn't prefer."

Advocates of repeal are also targeting Sens. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) and Ben Nelson (D-Neb.). Nebraska's Nelson said that he would issue a statement announcing his position shortly, though his spokesman said it wouldn't be available until Wednesday. Levin said Nelson of Nebraska has not informed him of his decision.

Nelson of Florida, meanwhile, told reporters that he will back the compromise.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) won't be going along with it, he said, arguing that it makes no sense to "go on and repeal something contingent on studying whether we should." The Defense Department study will be finished on December 1. The compromise would repeal the policy immediately but not implement the repeal until after the study is released.

Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.), another target of repeal advocates, also told reporters he'll oppose the compromise.

Comments

[BoyInBOYCOTT]

12:57 AM on 06/17/2010

Webb there were MANY progressives who helped fund Blue Dog Democrats, of those Progressives a sizable percentage are LGBT....myself included. VA, MO, MT and other states I had no vested interest in, still I donated. You attempt to stop the repeal of DADT which 70% of the Nation approves...isn't just bad for Democrats politically....it will have the funds for any of your future campaign dry up and die.
the gAyTM.....is closed

[edweird]

10:56 AM on 05/30/2010

Jim Webb's vote really surprised me. I thought he was better than that.

[johnsoncon]

02:25 AM on 05/29/2010

Webb is an American hero...he's been in the military.......all the idiot haters here have not.

GET A CLUE:

Obama promised he'd end the wars, he's escalated them instead.

Who cares about girls and gays on submarines? It's a bad idea, anyone with common sense can understand this. We should worry about ending the wars, not putting homosexuals on subs.

What a joke the USA is today.

[Jeff Cunningham]

07:58 PM on 05/27/2010

Senator Webb, as one of your constituents, I made it perfectly clear to you my views regarding the DADT repeal, and it was my hope that as a former service member -- and representing a state with a large military presence -- that you would be sympathetic to the cause and vote accordingly. I will remember your vote today when you're up for re-election, and I will let my vote speak for itself.

[ponderingmuch]

01:06 AM on 05/27/2010

Jim Webb. Tailhook. That is all I remember about him. Not a fan.

[springsm]

12:36 AM on 05/27/2010

The republicans will block this until there is not world left. Lindsay Graham is a republican..you would also think he would back this, but maybe not. I think our angry marine, Webb, should get off his soapbox and support this. It is not rushing into anything..but we know that there won't be a chance to pass anything in December. This study is a bogus idea anyway...fraught with homophobia from some of the old barts that are either retired or on there way. My gosh. Come on Dems..be brave...step out and show that you can really be MEN. Brave, courageous..and fight for equal opportunities and rights. come on now.

[LeftLeanWing]

02:51 PM on 05/26/2010

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) won't be going along with it, he said, arguing that it makes no sense to "go on and repeal something contingent on studying whether we should."

--------

It's not contingent on a report that says IF we should do it..... It's contingent on a report that instructs HOW we are going to do it. Miss Thang !

[AnotherTry]

07:38 AM on 05/27/2010

Read the compromise, it is completely IF.

[ajat]

02:40 PM on 05/26/2010

Those who vote against DADT will someday regret their foolishness and hang their heads in shame for such discriminatory behavior. Let the Pentagon study all it wants, it will eventually pass and the world will go on as it does today. Nobody is going to jump ship because of the passage, nor should they. After all, they are obliged to obey the laws and orders of their Commander in Chief. It's simply this- it's the right thing to do-repeal it now. It should have been repealed many years ago.

[Clevelandinwi]

09:52 AM on 05/26/2010

Come on, Senator Webb, time to grow up! This is not a place to play a joeyLIEberman and try to get attention - just do the right thing!

[RadicalCaveman]

02:00 AM on 05/26/2010

Let's see, a move to end overt discrimination by the government that 78% of the public supports...let me guess, it's going to be almost impossible to pass it? Welcome to America--right again.

[lindarae]

11:58 PM on 05/25/2010

DADT was silly in 1993 and is long overdue to be repealed. Never really understood why such a long review period was needed. Enough compromise, enough already. Now the GOP says they will vote no on the entire Pentagon spending bill if this amendment is attached. I say, let them and call for a roll vote. While we dither about this, we continue to lose some of the best and brightest in our military.

[springsm]

12:44 AM on 05/27/2010

In 1993, attitudes were alot different, growing up had to happen, Clinton really tried to do something that was right...unfortunately it wasn't used the way it could have/should have been. And since there are so many serving that are g/l you have to know that this did work. Now this country has PROGRESSED into really knowing what homosexuality is and most people understand that people are born that way and so they too, deserve to the be the people they are in all of their wholeness. Granted there are those who dont', but the majority do. The young people understand that they are not going to "catch being a gay/lesbian person" if they are not wired that way. (aimed at those who think that way) The old barts think it will take away their machoism....and are scared to death of their feminine side..and we all have a bit of both...it is the orientation that is different. So these bozos should shake the jitters and be supporting the removal of DADT. I apologize for the length of this, I can't get over the fear that some of these jokers carry around with them...not really understanding what the g/l have had to face and live with for lifetimes.

[Skyler Mays]

11:33 PM on 05/25/2010

Technically we can lose 2 now. Susan Collins sais she would suppor repealing DADT. Let's not cower away from this though because we need all the votes we can get.

[Tanyars5]

07:53 PM on 05/25/2010

This is great PBO is making congress vote on this law.

[wonketteRAWKS]

09:23 PM on 05/25/2010

Actually, he's not.

[drwas]

11:15 AM on 05/26/2010

Barack Obummer has done everything he possibly could to prevent congress from moving on this. Read a little more on the subject.

[shivabeach]

07:22 PM on 05/25/2010

Hey rep's. The most recent polls say 89% of the people say its ok to drop DADT.

Please continue to object as we can never have enough ammunition against you.

[ByersL]

06:06 PM on 05/25/2010

Webb, you are in thin ice in VA. Don't think we can't replace you.

[ajat]

02:43 PM on 05/26/2010

I voted for Webb. Not next time. No way!

[springsm]

12:45 AM on 05/27/2010

He has been somewhat of a disappointment but I think he is angry still from his duty in VN. But VA is a restless state too, so who knows.