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

Former supporters turned against Clinton-era policy
By Gabriel Winant,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 14, 2009 7:58 AM CST

The end is near for “don’t ask, don’t tell,” reports the San Francisco Chronicle. Rolling back the 1993 policy keeping gay, lesbian, and bisexual members of the military from serving openly was one of Barack Obama's campaign pledges, but some feared he was backing off. But asked about repeal plans, his spokesman said, “You don't hear politicians give a one-word answer much. But it's 'Yes.’”

“The question isn't if we do it, and the question isn't when we do it, it's how we do it,” said the Democratic congresswoman whose 2006 bill repealing the policy stalled because of a likely veto. Three-quarters of the public opposed “don’t ask, don’t tell” in a recent poll, and some onetime supporters, including Colin Powell and Sam Nunn, have turned against it.
(More Don't Ask, Don't Tell stories.)

Get breaking news in your inbox.
What you need to know, as soon as we know it.
Sign up
Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X