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Clinton Reminds Gay Vet in Iowa that She Supports Repeal

Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) told a gay veteran in Iowa who was dismissed under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" that she continues to support repeal of the law that bans lesbian, gay and bisexual service members from our armed forces. According to the Des Moines Register, "Nick Brown, 23, waited outside of Clinton’s Polk County field office at 1900 Ingersoll Ave. around 5 p.m. . . . to catch her as she greeted and shook hands with supporters." Brown "pleaded" with Clinton, the Register reports, to endorse repeal of the law. "I think it needs to be repealed," Clinton, who is running for the Democratic presidential nomination, said to him, noting that she has previously made such statements. "Brown said he was forced to leave the military in 2003 after Army officials discovered he had a profile on a Web site designed for gay users," the papernoted. "I wanted to serve my country but I couldn’t because they don’t let gay men serve in the military," Brown said. Clinton, who has been a longtime supporter of repeal, seems to have won the vet over. He plans to vote for Clinton, Brown said after the event. As the 2008 race heats up, there are a growing number of Americans anxious for a commander-in-chief who wants to lift the ban. And with all of the Democratic candidates calling for repeal, those who support open service have a long list of candidates to throw their support behind (unless they happen to be Republicans, as the GOP line-up has unanimously supported the status quo). - Steve Ralls

Labels: 2008, Hillary Clinton, in the news

11-05-07