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President Barack Obama pledged to end the ban on homosexuals serving openly in the military in a speech Saturday, but acknowledged to a cheering crowd that the policy changes he promised on the campaign trail are not coming as quickly as they expected."I will end 'don't ask-don't tell,'" Obama said to a standing ovation from the crowd of about 3,000 at the annual dinner of the Human Rights Campaign, a gay civil rights advocacy group. Obama reaffirmed his commitment to end the ban, but did not give a timetable or the specifics that some activists have called for.
Let's get this done.
Comments
Well, Obama simply restated his campaign promises and I don't think there's much optimism in the gay community that Obama will take any action on DADT any time soon, or any other of the issues related to gay equality.
Obama continues to voice support for equality when in the company of gay activists and support for traditional values when speaking to the rest of the country.
Posted by: Joel | October 10, 2009 11:58 PM
Am I the only one who thinks that if he doesn't start delivering on some of his campaign promises soon (like in the next year) Obama might not get a second term?
Posted by: NoAstronomer | October 11, 2009 12:11 AM
I still think the best approach would be to insist that Congress legalize military gay marriage as necessity to maintaining discipline.
Posted by: abb3w | October 11, 2009 12:20 AM
I don't know, the Republicans are doing a good job of marginalizing themselves, and issues like state secrets and signing statements don't seem to have much traction with the general public.
Posted by: Treppenwitz | October 11, 2009 12:21 AM
Is it possible Obama is holding back on ending DADT to avoid antagonising bluedogs over health care reform?
What I mean is, he may be stalling on "minor" liberals reform so as not to scare off potential support from less liberal democrats, so they'll support him in major liberal reforms, specifically healthcare. What do you think?
Posted by: Kapitano | October 11, 2009 12:48 AM
We stand at a defining moment. I expect sea change and am disappointed by these 20th C remarks.
Posted by: PeggyOh | October 11, 2009 1:13 AM
The American citizenry tends to have a shockingly short attention span and a strong 'what have you done for me lately' attitude. I suspect that he may hold certain articles of red (blue?) meat to serve up to his base in the last year before an reelection bid or last year in office.
DADT is one such piece he might want to save because he can do it as CinC without depending on congress. Certain foreign policy, foreign aid, regulatory standards and pardons or prisoner releases are also on the list.
If he does too much too soon or fails to set aside tasks he can do without congressional approval he may have no meat to toss later. IMO unless a point is made of celebrating some action to keep the memory fresh the half-life of any act is roughly a year.
Posted by: Art | October 11, 2009 4:22 AM
As someone who has been around from a time when they sent people to jail for being gay, I think that the progress this country, and Europe has made in recent years is stupendous.
It is good to keep the pressure up, but with gay marriage creeping into more and more states, there is no question where we are headed, and it is in the right direction.
Posted by: sailor | October 11, 2009 8:39 AM
If you honestly think he is going to be any more competent in ending this than he is in enacting health care, boy do I have a bridge to sell you.
Posted by: lawguy | October 11, 2009 8:45 AM
Yet another promise from Obama on this, yet for every promise that he's made he has broken it. Why should this be any different? I'm not taking any bets on this, unfortunately.
Posted by: Badger3k | October 11, 2009 8:18 PM
Shockingly short attention span? Strong what have you done for me lately attitude? You've got to be kidding. Even before President Obama took office he began managing expectations concerning DADT and when it comes to equality for gay men and women, what have you done for me EVER is more like it.
Posted by: Joel | October 11, 2009 10:45 PM