Asking and Telling Sam Nunn

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was a compromise forced on Bill Clinton's presidency by a recalcitrant, (then) anti-gay Sam Nunn who stopped Clinton's plans to end discrimination against homosexual men and women serving in the U.S. military.

In fact, while Senator Nunn was still in the Senate, he fired two staff members when it came to light that these individuals were gay.

Now, Senator Nunn is recommending a "review" of the policy he helped fashion fifteen years ago, but he is not indicating whether his own views have changed.

I'm a fan of Sam Nunn's important work in trying to rid the world of nuclear weapons and other WMD related materials. I hear from many friends that he is an outstanding Board Chairman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies and also Co-Chairman of the Nuclear Threat Initiative.

So despite my sincere respect for many of the good things Sam Nunn has done, I also think it is important for those whispering about the possibility of putting Nunn in the VP slot on the Obama ticket -- or in Obama's cabinet -- to realize that this blog and many others will not stand for someone who still harbors long standing, institutionalized discriminatory views against gay men and women, particularly in the arena of national security when we should be applauding any who want to serve this country.

It's time for us to be asking Sam Nunn what his views on gays in the military now are -- and he should tell us.

Let's move to "Ask and Tell."

-- Steve Clemons publishes the popular political blog, The Washington Note

Comments

[JohnUmana]

The general election is going to be a challenge. McCain and Obama are locked in a dead heat with Obama holding a 2 point lead with 10 percent undecided. The Republican progaganda machine that Scott McClellan talks about is forging ahead. Sam Nunn would be ideal for the VP spot, particularly as McCain’s stated strategy is to target Clinton voters. It is distressing that a quarter or more of Mrs. Clinton's supporters say they will back McCain over Obama. No doubt that stems from the Clinton negative campaigning, which is as unprecedented as it was reprehensible. Democrats need time to heal. But there isn’t much time. McCain has seized the opportunity: "There's a lot of Senator Clinton supporters who would support me because of their belief that Senator Obama does not have the experience or the knowledge or the judgment to address this nation's national security challenges." While there is disquietude over Nunn’s views, his views on discrimination in the military are different than they were 15 years ago. Obama as the next president would establish strong policies against discrimination. I’ve always admired Sam Nunn. He is currently co-chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nuclear Threat Initiative, an organization working to reduce the global threats from nuclear, bio and chem weapons. He’s a good man, tough as nails, and sure as hell knows his stuff when it comes to foreign policy, nuclear proliferation and the military. He’s the man I’d pick.

[jstephenclark]

So are you an antigay bigot, or do you just not give a damn about gay issues or people?

[KeysDan]

The country should be grateful that you are not picking the vice president. No doubt other Senators in 1993 were reluctant to permit gay men and women to serve openly in the military, as proposed by President Clinton through executive order, but Nunn, a "fellow democrat" used his position to undermine the newly inaugurated Democratic president. The carnival atmosphere of his committee's hearings struck every homophobic chord and even created doubts for some where none may have existed before. Nunn's committee toured submarines with media cameras in tow, pointing out the "close quarters" for sleeping arrangements. Claims were made that the only reason gay men wanted to serve was to oogle fit men. It was pay-back time for Nunn since Clinton denied him his ambition of being Secretary of State in the Clinton administration. Clinton ruled him out, owing to his homophobic record, including the firing of key staff members in his senate office upon revelation of their being gay. Nunn has been out of public office for over ten years. He did enough damage while a public official; It is nice to know that he is doing so well in the area of nuclear proliferation. He should stick to it.

[jstephenclark]

And where's your evidence that Sam Nunn's views on the military ban or gay people more generally -- like the two he fired -- are any different today? I see no evidence whatsoever.

Moreover, any non-discrimination policy established by President Obama can be instantly undone should some tragedy cause us to be saddled with President Nunn.

I'm afraid you'll have to do a better job of shilling for that bigot.

[Doofus]

Ok, Sam Nunn for VP was a bad idea, apparently.

What about Bob Graham from FL? What's wrong with him?

[joeinvt]

Sam Nunn? Why stop there? Draft Zell Miller?

[TheIndependenceParty]

Owning up to one's past, and having to account for one's absence from any significant public life in the most troubling period in American History, ... there are the rubs for Sam.

Nope, ... checked on both and found him lacking. We do not bring flip-flops home washed up upon the beach and claim them as treasures. In the same way, we should only assume that Sam Nunn is the perfect VP candidate if Congress declares that the dead may all vote by proxy.

Sorry Sam. See ya!

[antaeus]

Let's hope this piece comes as a heads-up to the young or just plain ignorant who have been tossing Nunn's name out as a possible VP.

[pottery]

Jim Webb has been mentioned as a possible VP nominee. Are you going to hand the presidency to McCain if he's the VP?

[robinhood2]

Considering all the saber rattling by both Obama and McCain with regard to Iran earlier this week at the AIPAC meeting, the US military will be more desperate than ever to recruit qualified young men and women in the next few years. Even if DADT is abolished, don't expect a sudden rush of 18 year old gays and lesbians to sign up for military service. There is still the matter of the (Federal) Defense of Marriage Act and a host of other Federal regulations that discriminate against gays and lesbians.

[SDnavyPROUD]

Well among the many things Obama has pledged, one is to listen to and involve many perspectives into his campaign and hopefully White House administration. He is NOT a politician that will compromise his core values, in the name of accomplishing something. He has the ability convince other individuals that maybe their positions could be updated for a 21st century population . So he's on record saying that DADT days are numbered, and he's said the public above any other entity is resposible for holding the adminstration accountable.

[PoliticalAnimal]

Sam Nunn also weakened Clinton's entire presidency by drawing him into that battle before he was barely into office, thus making him vulnerable to the other southern "moralists" like Newt Gingrich that then savaged him for eight years.

By doing so, Nunn contributed to the weakening of the American President and American national security by actions that proved to be reckless and irresponsible, driven by an irrational hatred of gay men.

Sam Nunn should apologize to all Democrats and he then may be entitled to a voice in the discussion. But otherwise, shun Nunn!

[jstephenclark]

We already know Sam Nunn's views, and the man is a raving bigot.

Nunn's statement is a pathetic call for nothing more than the Pentagon brass to issue a revised gay-bashing report for Nunn to trumpet as a justification for continuing the policy.

Even if Nunn were to have some deathbed conversion, it deserve ZERO weight. If he came out against "don't ask, don't tell" several years ago, fine. But he didn't. Any statement he grunts out in order to get a VP nomination is meaningless.

The man's record is one of pure bigotry, and I see no evidence whatsoever that the bigot has changed his spots. He's utterly unacceptable for any position that would put him remotely in line for the presidency.

[useyourbrain]

Nunn inflicted a fatal blow to Bill Clinton's start as President for forcing the subject front and center as soon as WJC took office. Nunn needed to be bitch slapped for trying to put Clinton in his place. What he did was make him look weak, which hurt him in the Senate and with the public. It also showed how vile and nasty bigots can be in public and in proudness. Fuck Sam Nunn. If he is Obama's VP I will not only vote for Obama, but will campaign, sell my house and donate it all to McCain.

[pottery]

That was 16 years ago. He is a supporter of Obama, and thus may have changed his views. So, you know that McCain supports your views of gays and military service? Point me to the proof!

This sounds as crazy as those Clinton supporters who, despite overwhelming similarity of positions, would support McCain if Clinton were not awarded the nomination.

[RobtBrock]

I thought that Nunn passed away ten years ago? Anybody know anything about this?

[KeysDan]

Steve, You are right on about Sam Nunn. His ossified mind is better suited for (god forbid) a McCain vice presidency or cabinet position. Nunn is really a right-winger masquerading as a conservative Democrat. A "review" of DADT sounds like an opportunistic ploy. A call for its elimination would be a little better, but coming from him, it also should be taken with a pound of salt. I note in today's NYT obituary that Charles Moskos, a key advisor to Nunn (then chair of the senate armed services committee)in the formulation of DADT, died at age 74. The obituary's recap of events, including a deceptively benign role by Sam Nunn, was an historically inaccurrate white-wash. Nunn and the JCS, with Colin Powell in a starring and insubordinate role, undermined President Clinton's proposal to permit gay men and women to serve openly in the military. Many have expressed concern about having Mrs. Clinton as vice president, but if I were Senator Obama, I sure would not trust or look to Sam Nunn for loyal support. Certainly, a food taster would be required. The neo-con Bill Kristol recommends Nunn, so that should tell us something.

[JBS]

As a more or less semi-liberated straight guy, who served over 30 years in the U.S. Army, no one has yet given me anything remotely resembling a good reason why someone else's sexual orientation should matter to me.

So, instead of "Don't ask Don't tell" changing to "Ask and Tell", how 'bout changin' it to "Why should I give a shit?"

If you're on duty, you need to keep it in your pants anyway. And I don't care what consenting adults might do off duty.

[rabiabidabi]

I doubt Sam Nunn is on anybody's list other than as a courtesy for years of loyal service. Did Dick Cheney set a precedent for all VP's to come? An older, supposedly wiser pol to mentor the young idealist? I hope the Dems don't go in that direction.

[JBS]

"Did Dick Cheney set a precedent for all VP's to come?

If he did, Caroline Kennedy is gonna be Obama's running mate.

[Liberal2]

Ya know, I was thinking the same thing.

But, in a way, it would an interesting choice: gets the women's vote, recalls memories of Camelot, and Kennedy herself has always conducted herself well.

I suspect Obama could do far worse and probably will,

[Moose49]

All excellent reasons why Nunn should not be named Obama's running mate.

In addition, I would add these:

He's a corporate-oriented economic conservative ill-suited to appeal to the white working class voters Obama will need.

He's bland and boring.

He doesn't represent change.

He'll do for Obama what Lloyd Bentsen did for Michael Dukakis -- absolutely nothing (with the lone exception of his brilliant dissection of Dan Quayle in the VP debate).

His presence on the ticket won't add Georgia to the Dem column.

There are plenty of other potential running mates who are far superior.