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Under fire from gay rights group for his lack of action since his inauguration, President Barack Obama pledged yesterday to end the military's controversial "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Of course, such a proclamation came with a caveat that likely will cause the criticism to continue: he set no specific time-table for actually ending the policy. Obama made the announcement yesterday at a fund-raiser for the Human Rights Campaign. Speaking to a crowd of 3,000 at the event, Obama said, "I will end 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'; that is my commitment...I'm here with you in that fight." The frustration with Obama's lack of action has led to today's National Equality March (which also marks National Coming Out Day). If you want to join the march, you've still got time: it gets underway at 1 p.m. at Daley Plaza. Just watch out for those marathon stragglers.
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You could say that he has finally done SOMETHING, but not quite yet.
He just restated his campaign promises. Meanwhile, General Jones, the national security advisor, said last week that ending DADT couldn't be done during the war(s) because it would affect unit cohesion, contradicting both Obama's stated goals, and also contradicting a pentagon study which clearly announced that ending DADT would NOT affect unit cohesion.
Yeah - wake me up when he actually pushes congress to pass a law. Lots of hope - but where's the change? Nevermind that he could temporarily stop DADT right now by executive order until the law gets repealed by congress.
Unfortunately for his campaign of Change - Obama's an incrementalist. No drama Obama moving at the speed of a snail.
I agree with the above comments. He is losing credibility by talking change without enacting change.
Don't Ask Don't Tell is a ridiculous policy in many ways. He should just stop this farce by Executive Order and then fight it out with Congress.
Yeah he could sign an executive order. But that's how Bush ruled. I'd prefer getting an actual law through Congress.
In July, 1948, President Truman signed executive order 9981 thereby integrating the military.
Who cares if Bush the Younger ruled by executive order. You're position is that because Bush did it, then it must be bad? Really?
He's hedging his bets but if he doesn't go with an executive order, ASAP, he's going to lose ALOT of support during the next election cycle. That grassroots system isn't going to turn out. If the crazies from the Right get traction and actually elect some candidates - and right now, I think they might because of Obama playing nice - we're going to get mired down.
Just do it, Mr. President. No more bullshitting. Sign the executive order and end DADT.
and they're already walking back his speech. You might want to change your headline. I suggest adding Obama claims he'll end DADT.
2004-2006: "You have to wait until we win a Congressional majority in the 2006 midterms."
2006-2008: "You have to wait until we win the White House in 2008."
January-May, 2009: "You have to wait until we have a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate."
Currently: "You have to wait until after the 2010 midterms so we preserve our majority" or "you have to wait until Obama is safely re-elected in 2012."