Why DADT Is Obama's Failure

In July 2009, Alcee Hasting got 76 Democrats and Republican Ileana Ros-Lehtinen to back a repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" in the House. Hasting sent this letter to President Barack Obama asking for an end of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

The United States of America prides itself on having the finest military in the world because of the hard work, dedication, and sacrifices of our brave servicemen and women. And yet, under 10 U.S.C. § 654 (Policy Concerning Homosexuality in the Armed Forces), better known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," the talents and contributions of our openly gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) service members continue to be ignored simply because of who they are. Every day, we lose approximately two service members to this misguided, unjust, and flat-out discriminatory policy. Don't Ask, Don't Tell is not only an injustice to them, but a disservice to the U.S. military and our country as a whole.

The White House responded by forcing Hasting to dop his repeal amendment from the Defense Department bill. Hastings went on-record saying the White House was not going to back the repeal.

``Due to pressure from some of my congressional colleagues and from the White House, I have withdrawn my amendment,’’ he said. ``I would, however, like to note that it is most unfortunate that we are not addressing `don’t ask, don’t tell’ at this time.’’

After the amendment was dropped, Hastings wrote a letter to President Obama asking for a repeal of DADT. Hastings was brushed off. Obama was too concerned about appeasing social conservatives who would never vote for him.

To Harry Reid's credit, he took up a vote for a repeal of DADT. Reid failed to break the 60 vote Senate filibuster. Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor voted against the bill. Reid voted against the bill so the bill could be taken up again.

Does anyone recall Obama leaning on Senators to vote for appeal of DADT? Obama leaned on the Senate to protect law that does not allow Medicare to negotiate for cheaper pharmaceutical drug prices.

Many Democrats, especially committee chairmen and liberal lawmakers, were chaffed at the backroom deal Baucus and the White House struck with the drug industry, a perennial boogeyman for the political left.

“We don't represent their stockholders, we represent our stockholders, which are the taxpayers,” said Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.).

There is more support for ending DADT than the Obama-backed health care bill. It is not surprising the party that produced Mark Foley and Larry Craig would pander to the base by voting against repeal of DADT. What is Obama's excuse? Neoliberalism needs to die. The sooner the better.