What Will Powell's Endorsement Mean for "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and Military Families?

General Colin Powell, once considered a prime GOP candidate for the presidency, has endorsed Democratic Senator Barack Obama in the 2008 race for the White House. Saying that he felt his party had moved too far to the right, and citing the appointment of far right Supreme Court justices as a concern, Powell took what can only be described as a bold step in saying he will vote for the other side of the ballot on November 4.

In his interview with NBC's Tom Brokaw, however, Powell did not broach one subject where he could have a very significant impact: The repeal of the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" ban on lesbian, gay and bisexual service members.

One year ago this month, Powell told a reporter that, "'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' is still a discriminatory policy; it is prejudicial." And went on to say that, "It's now fourteen years later, the country has changed, and the day may well come when it will not be a problem any longer."

And when asked by reporter Walter Isaacson "do you think that day will come?," Powell responded that "I think sooner or later it will come," saying that military leaders are "not just a bunch of old generals who cannot see the future."

Now, General Powell has endorsed a candidate that has consistently said he favors repealing the law. And that begs the question: Is he now ready to say the day has arrived when lifting the ban makes good sense?

His answer to that question could have a far-reaching impact for military families, and for the Republican party, as well as the Democratic ticket.

As someone who has dedicated his life to national security and military service, General Powell understands the tradition of military service that is part of many American families. Like Senator McCain's own family, many Americans are part of a long, proud tradition of military service. But "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" has mean that, for those who are LGBT, carrying on that tradition is rendered virtually impossible. As retired Air Force Colonel Dan Tepfer pointed out in a Dayton Daily News op-ed earlier this year, having a gay or transgender child changes the way many families view this issue.

Now, more than ever, General Powell can play a major role in changing that, and in bringing the GOP a long way toward embracing repeal, too.

Senator McCain has often cited Powell as a primary reason for his support of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." And if the General publicly says the case for repeal made by Senator Obama and some GOP lawmakers is the right one, it should compel McCain to revisit that support. Doing so would not be unprecedented in his party.

Former Congressman Jim Kolbe of Arizona, who Senator McCain has said he admires and respects greatly, was a champion of repeal during his time in Congress. Similarly, GOP lawmakers Ileana Ros-Lehtinent of Florida and Christopher Shays of Connecticut, have also endorsed repeal. And during his time in the House, former Congressman Wayne Gilchrest, a Vietnam war veteran, also supported legislation to lift the ban.

General Powell may be able to help bring along even more Republican lawmakers in the fight to get rid fo the law, and he could challenge Senator McCain's defense of the ban by also challenging him to revisit his position on the issue. (McCain already said recently that he's now open to reviewing the law.)

Many have presumed General Powell did not want to inject "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" into the political arena by shifting his position in an election year, and that may have been understandable before now. But with his endorsement of a pro-repeal ticket for the White House, that has all changed. He now has a chance to be part of a truly historic movement to repeal the law, and to bring new allies into that movement at the same time. And, he has a very meaningful opportunity to make a real difference for military families by calling for an end to a law that keeps so many people from continuing their parents', grandparents' and even great grandparents' proud traditions of service.

General Powell is respected by many Americans, and his opinions carry weight, especially with those who know the military and national security best. That is why his endorsement today has ignited so many debates, and it is why his views on the debate over "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" could potentially re-ignite the campaign for repeal, too.

Comments

[Steamboater]

Powell didn't mention a reversal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell because Brokaw was toouninterested and incompetent to ask him about it. What's galling is that Powell led the fight against Gays serving openly in the military when Clinton first came to office. It's news to me that one year ago he said it was discrimanitory. After all, he was the man who when asked what he would do if Gays were allowed to serve openly said, "I'll quit!". Don't expect any shout-outs from Powell about this now. He made excuses for his lying at the UN about Iraq so don't hold your breath for anything forthcoming in support of Gay people's rghts. I just hope, if Obama becomes president, we get this done once and for all and Obama issues an Executive Order allowing Gays to serve openly. Fini.

[kmwa]

As a gay Vietnam Vet, former partner of a (deceased) Army Colonel, and dedicated Obama supporter, I am glad that Colin Powell has come forth and endorsed the only sensible candidate in this race. However, before we get all ooey--gooey over Geralisimo Powell, we must remember that he has a lot of blood on his sword from the Bush administration. A lot. His mea culpas could fill a NY phone book.

[Countdown09]

I don't recall Powell saying because he endorsed Sen.O bama he was signing on for ALL of his views. I do recall him saying he differed with O bama on some issues, I'll guess this might be one of them. I'm just grateful O got Powell's endorsement, I'll reframe from expecting the man to change parties and positions over night.

[xdevildawg4u]

Here's something that I don't think a lot of people are considering when it comes to DADT.

If DADT is repealed then gay men can be forced, through a draft, to fight and die for a country that doesn't even give the full rights of citizenship. They could be forced to go to war for a country in which more than half of the states have CONSTITUTIONAL discrimination against them.

I am for full rights for GLBT Americans, including the right to fight and die for one's country without having to hide one's nature to do it (though I don't support the draft in any circumstance) but I am a bit conflicted about DADT being repealed while GLBT people are still legally, socially and culturally second class citizens or worse.

[Steamboater]

I understand how you feel but minorities discriminated against have always had to go up the ladder to tolerance and accetance one step at a time. Doing away with DADT is one of those steps. I feel the same way often about wanting it all now but it's not realistic. I've seen so much accomplished in this country during my lifetime that I never expected to see toward Gay rights and maybe there's still time, but we just have to be patient. :)

[koromuso]

Time for you to re-read Letter from Birmingham Jail. If you've never read it, please do read it....and mark the passages where Martin Luther King says people ALWAYS tell minorities that their time will come LATER.....that they must be patient.

He responds that justice delayed is justice denied.

It is completely realistic for Gays to demand their rights NOW>

[GinnyinCO]

Powel's excellent repudiation of the Muslim discrimination by citing a soldier who gave his 20year old Muslim life to Iraqi Freedom made me think "this needs to be extended to the GLBT attitude also". That said, I think the majority of liberal/pr­ogressive/­Democratic politicians are still uber cautious when it comes to supporting gay rights during a campaign. Even if it only knocks a percentage point off the win, most are too familiar with how many races in the past have been decided by less than 1% of the vote.

Same is true for the Pentagon's sacred cow budget. I find it very telling the GOP candidate can get away with talking about his record on cutting wasteful millitary spending. The Democratic one would be torn to shreds over any such suggestion.

It may be that Powell, as an independent voice free of concern about running for or holding any office, would be courageous enough to talk about this in the upcoming interviews. I have not googled to see if he has any kind of web site to contact, but my bet is he does. My OS flash connection is on the fritz and I can't get the video or a transcript, I have seen several comments that Powell was interviewed after MTP and was even more critical of McCain and Bachman (MN congresswoman interviewed on Hardball Fri eve) than during the interview.

How many GLBT active duty millitary that were fluent in ME languages were discharged?

[martymartymarty]

I think Powell's lack of specific mention of "Don't Ask Don't Tell" was an effort to avoid dragging it in as an excitable wedge issue. Right now, with the Republicans, they have in general let both gay marriage and GLBT military issues stay sleeping dogs and not worked up the base with their usual terror tactics. Connecticut and California aside, the national dialog has not for the most part reprised demonizing us.

I am not sure if it was on Meet The Press itself or in the YouTube clip of Powell being interviewed afterward, but he did make reference to USA's diversity and need for unity and was impressed by the fact that Obama is hoping to unite us based on the common good we all share in and not the differences that divide us.

Obama has been far from explicit about DADT and DOMA but my belief is that it is to avoid playing up the wedge issue aspects. While I also believe that Obama does have enough of the heterosexual conceit regarding us to merit some questioning, I do not believe that he has enough for it to be worrisome. He won't actively make things worse, at least. At this point, neither would Powell.

[sms43]

It is my hope that this endorsement will not only give some support to ending "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", but also that it might renew interest and support for the Domestic Partnership Benefits & Obligations Act, which has languished in committee in both houses of Congress. Passage of this Act would bring the Federal Government into the 21st century, and in line with private sector employers, including a majority of the nation’s Fortune 500 companies. Federal agencies must now compete with these companies for highly skilled and experienced workers. Benefits granted to employee spouses are an integral part of the benefit package. These benefits should no longer be denied to domestic partners in a committed relationship. The time to pass this Act is now!

[drsmc41]

This is an insightful posting, and I am glad that we are restarting this topic (if it ever ended). We have evolved, and our policies should reflect such.

[Leah McElrath Renna - Huffpost Blogger]

Excellent post, Steve!

My hope is that General Powell's courageous break from his party with regard to the endorsement will free him up to contribute substantively to additional challenges to Republican right-wing dogma - and ending Don't Ask, Don't Tell would be a great step.