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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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24

Obama Looks to Lieberman to Lead 'Don't Ask' Repeal

Conn. independent has opposed policy on gays in military since '93

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(Newser) – After President Obama's pledge this weekend to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell, the White House turned immediately to key senators on the Armed Services Committee—in particular Joe Lieberman. A House bill to repeal the policy has 177 sponsors, but the White House is eager for Senate legislation with bipartisan support. "We are talking directly to the Hill," said John Berry, the White House's director of personnel and the administration's highest ranking gay member.

Several Democratic senators, including Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and Jack Reed of Rhode Island, have been mentioned as possible sponsors, but Lieberman, who endorsed John McCain last year, looks likely to get the White House's backing. He sits as an independent with strong relationships with Maine's two Republican senators, either of whom might co-sponsor the bill. A Lieberman spokesman gave few details but pointed out: "He has opposed since it was first proposed in 1993."

Gen. David Petraeus, commander of the US Central Command, shakes hands with Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, April 1, 2009.
Gen. David Petraeus, commander of the US Central Command, shakes hands with Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, April 1, 2009.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Barack Obama and Sen. Joe Lieberman after Obama's address before a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009.
Barack Obama and Sen. Joe Lieberman after Obama's address before a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., speaks at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., last September.
Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., speaks at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., last September.   (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds, file)
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24 comments
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bahari@bellsouth.net
Oct 13, 09 8:01 AM CDT
Well only Congress can repeal a law, but why Lieberman? He is not trustworthy at all. I guess neither are the others. Sorry, I answered my own question. Forgive me. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
IN RESPONSE:
Fondue
Oct 13, 09 8:06 AM CDT
“Senator Lieberman has had discussions with representatives of the Administration and others on the best way to reverse this policy, which he has opposed since it was first proposed in 1993,” said Marshall Wittmann, Lieberman’s press secretary.
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
IN RESPONSE:
northeast
Oct 13, 09 8:16 AM CDT
Lieberman's actually an honest man (no scandals, votes extremely consistently, in general fairly bland and boring), but he doesn't happen to agree with you and is therefore traitorously untrustworthy.
Vote up! Vote down!
-2
IN RESPONSE:
Forderon
Oct 13, 09 9:14 AM CDT
northeast, Lieberman is untrustworthy because he's part of the Three Amigos with McCain and Graham who have been wrong about everything related to Iraq/Afghanistan since 2001.
Vote up! Vote down!
+2
IN RESPONSE:
Yourself
Oct 13, 09 10:31 AM CDT
cause Lie-berman will do and say anything to insure he can win his seat again. He was sure Obama would lose, and he was hoping McCain would pick him as VP, that all back fired so now he's going back to the side in power.
Vote up! Vote down!
+1

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