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Obama: 'I Will End Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

President admits slow progress to gay rights group

By the Associated Press

Posted Oct 10, 2009 9:49 PM CDT
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(AP) – President Obama pledged to end the ban on homosexuals serving openly in the military in a speech tonight, 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 of the nation's largest gay rights advocacy group.

He did not, however, give a timetable. Obama said it was no secret "our progress may be taking longer than we like." He followed this by asking supporters to trust his administration's course. "I appreciate that many of you don't believe progress has come fast enough," he said. "Do not doubt the direction we are heading and the destination we will reach." His speech to the Human Rights Campaign comes ahead of a march in Washington tomorrow by gay activists who think he's moving too slowly.

President Barack Obama delivers a speech at the Human Rights Campaign national dinner, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, in Washington.
President Barack Obama delivers a speech at the Human Rights Campaign national dinner, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, in Washington.   (Manuel Balce Ceneta)
President Barack Obama speaks at the Human Rights Campaign national dinner, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, in Washington.
President Barack Obama speaks at the Human Rights Campaign national dinner, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, in Washington.   (Manuel Balce Ceneta)
President Barack Obama speaks at the Human Rights Campaign national dinner, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, in Washington.
President Barack Obama speaks at the Human Rights Campaign national dinner, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, in Washington.   (Manuel Balce Ceneta)
President Barack Obama speaks at the Human Rights Campaign national dinner, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, in Washington.
President Barack Obama speaks at the Human Rights Campaign national dinner, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, in Washington.   (Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Singer Lady Gaga acknowledges the acknowledgment from President Barack Obama, as he speaks at the Human Rights Campaign national dinner, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, in Washington.
Singer Lady Gaga acknowledges the acknowledgment from President Barack Obama, as he speaks at the Human Rights Campaign national dinner, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, in Washington.   (Manuel Balce Ceneta)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 52 comments
SilenceDogood
Oct 15, 2009 10:34 AM CDT
Rocky, I just checked Politifact.com and you are not correct. It seems that Michael Moore, Pelosi and Jay Rockefeller are hitting the half truth and lie meters today.
Snarfeh
Oct 13, 2009 4:18 AM CDT
I have not forgotten who implemented it. I have also not forgotten who failed to do anything about it after Clinton was out. I am still waiting on the current one to do something instead of saying something. I know there's a lot of things to do, but in one of my former jobs, we created project teams. If it has indeed been decided by the Obama Administration that "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is going to be tackled, there's no reason he can't get started right away. Obama doesn't have to work on this project every day if he has the right team in place...or any team in place, for that matter. Put up or shut up is where I'm at on this one....
Shannonals
Oct 12, 2009 6:07 AM CDT
I concur riffran. As long as they do as they are instructed and serve our country, I could care less what they do during their offtime and who they do it with.

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Barack Obama • gay rights • Don't Ask, Don't Tell • Human Rights Campaign • homosexual

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