A spokeswoman for Mr. McCain, who opposes the repeal, confirmed he is in talks with Mr. Levin on how to proceed on the defense bill but didn't provide details.Even after the president restated his "alleged" commitment to ending DADT legislatively last Wednesday, his mouthpiece admits that there is a snowball's chance in Hell that it will happen for the foreseeable future. Have these two even met?
Moving the defense bill is also complex, especially if it includes controversial measures, because it could take two weeks or longer on the Senate floor, and the coming session is expected to last only three or four weeks.
Tommy Sears, executive director of the Center for Military Readiness, which opposes a repeal, rated the chance of action "extremely low." Richard Socarides, an activist and former adviser on gay rights to President Bill Clinton, said it was "extremely unrealistic'' that Congress would take it up this year.
The Obama administration isn't raising expectations that the issue will be considered this year. "I would like to see the repeal of 'don't ask, don't tell,' but I'm not sure what the prospects for that are," Defense Secretary Robert Gates told reporters traveling with him in Australia over the weekend.
Asked what the White House priorities are for the coming congressional session, press secretary Robert Gibbs named four issues—tax cuts, a nuclear-arms treaty with Russia, a child nutrition bill and confirmation of Jack Lew as White House budget director. Asked why he wouldn't put gays in the military on the list, Mr. Gibbs said it looked like Republicans would block action.
With all the attention to bullying these days, I can't shake the mental image of the chicken-shit Democrats fleeing the playground on the news that the Republicans are coming back. I think it's clear that the current Democratic leadership are nothing but a bunch of cowards. And with just two and a half weeks left before the Pentagon Working Group's DADT repeal survey results are officially released, the Do-Nothing Dems have once again thrown us under the bus, even though a majority of Americans, including service members (according to last week's leaked survey results), now favor dropping the discriminatory policy .
With no legislative vehicle to get repeal done legislatively, our only viable option now is the current court challenge being waged by Lob Cabin Republicans, who could teach Joe Solmonese a thing or two about why he's drawing a paycheck.
And to Levin and McCain, GET A ROOM ALREADY!
I am somewhat perplexed by those,even within our community, who think and speak about how far we have come and that there are really no big issues which cause them to take action for equality. Yes, by George, we should sit down and shut up and be happy for the crumbs we have. Well to those GLBT Republicans(?) and others out there who couldn't care less about our attainment of full equality...I say get out of the way, many of us really do care!!
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