Liz Cheney: 'It's Time' To Repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Liz Cheney, a former State Department official and the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, declared last week that "it's time" to end the military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy on gay troops. It is not the first time she has taken the position, but Cheney reiterated her view at a time when calls to repeal the policy are mounting.

At a speech in Dallas, Cheney took a brief break from her usual unapologetic opposition to many of Obama's national security and military policies to stand behind one of the president's rhetorical causes.

According to the Dallas Morning News report:

Cheney - whose sister, Mary, is openly gay - pointed out that several top military officials support the repeal and that a recent Pentagon report showed such action wouldn't affect the military's readiness or defense capabilities.

In February, Cheney discussed DADT with Talking Points Memo, saying that "it's time for it to end," pointing out at the time that the joint chiefs appeared to be in favor of overturning the policy.

At a hearing on Don't Ask, Don't Tell last week, a number of top military officials testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee and explained their reasons for backing a change of protocol on gays in the military.

A recent study on the potential effects of allowing openly gay servicemembers to serve in the armed forces showed that they could likely be integrated without any serious harm to the military. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and key members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff have since endorsed the findings of that survey.

Comments

[massnana]

08:38 AM on 01/18/2011

I'm thinking that in some wierd way there is some money to be made from repealing DADT, otherwise why would any Cheney support this, I know her sister is a lesbian but that can't be the reason.

[GirlUsingBrain]

07:11 PM on 12/09/2010

Oh my God! This is the second time I've agreed with this woman. Did she have a lobotomy? Did I? Now I am really confused!

[jnw147]

06:49 PM on 12/09/2010

God bless you Liz Cheney!

[John Mainstream]

05:36 PM on 12/09/2010

Have to take our hats off to the Republicans that are leading the fight to end DADT.

[elijah24]

10:41 AM on 12/09/2010

Holy crap! I agree with Liz Cheney about something!
I need a shower.

[copperbrown]

10:28 AM on 12/09/2010

we all , are tired of you "Junk yard dog"

go home

[Yenzer]

10:26 AM on 12/09/2010

Broken clock syndrome.

[mrmikes]

08:26 AM on 12/09/2010

It's kinda scary to find myself in agreement with any Cheney. PS: Will somebody get this woman a new jacket?

[Snozberry]

07:15 AM on 12/09/2010

Even a broken clock is right twice a day. And I must give her father credit for being pro-gay, even if I despise him.

[Yenzer]

10:30 AM on 12/09/2010

It's okay to agree with Dick Cheney on being pro-gay and still despise the crusty old coot.
He may even be against slavery and witch burnings too.

[Ascoli]

07:01 AM on 12/09/2010

Hey Liz .............. it's time to turn your criminal father over to the courts
So he can get his just dessert.
Maybe......since your on the justice bandwagon.

[carljr]

06:59 AM on 12/09/2010

She favors it because because very now and then a Republican remembers that they are the Party of Lincoln and not the Party of Palin.

I'll take 'em any way I get 'um.

No more DADT.

[Turtlenews]

05:29 AM on 12/09/2010

“““Service Members Legal Defense Network has issued an "all hands on deck" alert, asking you to call your Senators and demand their support of the repeal of DADT.

If you live in the following states, call the Capitol switchboar d number below: Maine, Indiana, Massachuse tts, Ohio, Missouri, West Virginia, Arkansas and Illinois.

202-224-31 21

KEY SENATORS WHO NEED TO HEAR FROM REPEAL SUPPORTERS NOW:

--Susan Collins (R-ME)
--Olympia Snowe (R-ME)
--Richard Lugar (R-IN)
--Judd Gregg (R-NH)
--Scott Brown (R-MA)
--George Voinovich (R-OH)
--Kit Bond (R-MO)
--Joe Manchin (D-WV)
--Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
--Mark Kirk (R-IL)
-Jim webb (D-Va)
-Jon Testor ( D-MT)
-Blanch Lincoln ( D-AR)

Sample script: "Hello, my name is ______ and I’m a constituen t from __________ (city, state). I’m calling to tell Senator _______ to stay in Washington and not break for holiday vacation until "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal is passed this year. Fight back against Senators John McCain and Mitch McConnell' s obstructio nism and pass repeal this year. Thank you."”””

[Barbie and Ken forever]

03:27 AM on 12/09/2010

I give her credit for this, but if her sister wasn't gay, she looks like she wouldn't support the repeal at all. More proof that conservatives support things they wouldn't normally support unless it happens to them or someone they know. Like conservatives who support more government intervention with healthcare because they know what it feels like to not have insurance

[Lonely Progressive in AZ]

03:37 AM on 12/09/2010

Oh, don't be so cynical...she clearly wants the repeal of DADT so we have even MORE troops to send into harms way in the name of money and religion...

[Yenzer]

10:32 AM on 12/09/2010

touche'

[adamNsteve]

01:07 AM on 12/09/2010

While I find myself in agreement with Liz Cheney on this one issue, DADT, why does the press cover what this woman says?

Why is she invited on the Sunday MSM shows?

What has she ever done to deserve such media coverage?