Obama Wouldn't Give Chiefs Gay 'Litmus Test'

Says 'don't ask' hurts US military, but won't demand brass agree

By Jonas Oransky, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 10, 2008 2:51 PM CDT

(Newser) – Barack Obama said he wouldn't require top military appointees to support letting open homosexuals serve, stressing that his priority for Joint Chiefs of Staff is the ability to protect the country. Speaking to a gay magazine, the candidate called “don’t ask, don’t tell” a “counterproductive strategy,” adding he’d ban workplace discrimination against gays and get federal benefits for couples in civil unions.

On “don’t ask,” he said: “We're spending large sums of money to kick highly qualified gays or lesbians out of our military," the AP reports, "some of whom possess specialties like Arab-language capabilities that we desperately need. That doesn't make us more safe.”

Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton caricatures. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith)

Democratic Presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Sen. Barack Obama. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

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Obama Wouldn't Give Chiefs Gay 'Litmus Test'

Says 'don't ask' hurts US military, but won't demand brass agree

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Barack Obama • gay rights • Civil unions • Don't Ask, Don't Tell • Joint Chiefs of Staff • homosexuality • homosexual rights

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Cynthia Nixon: For Me, Being Gay 'Is a Choice'

Activists not happy with actress' choice of words

Milestone: 2 Women Share 'First Kiss' in Navy Tradition

Same-sex partners smooch after ship's return from sea

Perry Smacks Obama's Push for Gay Rights Abroad

It's not in US interests, or worth the money

'Not Gay Enough' Ballplayers Win Settlement

Team with bisexual players stripped of trophy by gay sports group

Obama: Don't Just Sit There When People Boo a Soldier

President fires away at GOP contenters at gay rights fundraiser

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Obama Wouldn't Give Chiefs Gay 'Litmus Test'

Says 'don't ask' hurts US military, but won't demand brass agree

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Barack Obama • gay rights • Civil unions • Don't Ask, Don't Tell • Joint Chiefs of Staff • homosexuality • homosexual rights

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Cynthia Nixon: For Me, Being Gay 'Is a Choice'

Activists not happy with actress' choice of words

Milestone: 2 Women Share 'First Kiss' in Navy Tradition

Same-sex partners smooch after ship's return from sea

Perry Smacks Obama's Push for Gay Rights Abroad

It's not in US interests, or worth the money

'Not Gay Enough' Ballplayers Win Settlement

Team with bisexual players stripped of trophy by gay sports group

Obama: Don't Just Sit There When People Boo a Soldier

President fires away at GOP contenters at gay rights fundraiser

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Newser By Users

Community

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More News

What is Newser?