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Democratic Presidential Candidates Pledge to Repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’
LOS ANGELES, CALIF. - The 2008 Democratic presidential candidates expressed support this evening for repealing the military�s �Don�t Ask, Don�t Tell� ban on lesbian, gay and bisexual service members. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), former Senator John Edwards (D-NC), former Senator Mike Gravel (D-AK), Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) and Governor Bill Richardson (D-NM) have all pledged, either this evening or on the campaign trail, to work for repealing the law and to allow gay troops to serve openly. Senators Joseph Biden (D-DE) and Christopher Dodd (D-CT) did not attend the forum in Los Angeles, but have also stated they favor repealing the law.
Our next president can play a leading role in ending �Don�t Ask, Don�t Tell,�� said Steve Ralls, director of communications for Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN). �The Democratic candidates for the White House understand that our national security, and our national commitment to equality and opportunity, are both strengthened by repealing this law. Our men and women in uniform, and their families and loved ones, are ready for a commander-in-chief who puts qualification ahead of discrimination and military readiness ahead of outdated prejudice. The time has come to topple this un-American law, and we are proud to have these candidates join us in the fight to lift the ban.�
Senator Edwards told the forum that, �I think we need to get rid of �Don�t Ask, Don�t Tell.� (The ban) is not just wrong now; it was wrong when it began; it was wrong the whole time.� He went on to say that � . . . it is bad for America and in fact bad for the military. . . . I can tell you that I am firmly committed to eliminating �Don�t Ask, Don�t Tell.��
Following Edwards, Congressman Dennis Kucinich, a sponsor of Congressional legislation to repeal the law, said that, �We should ensure that all men and women who wish to serve in the armed forces are allowed to do so by repealing �Don�t Ask, Don�t Tell.�� Governor Richardson, who voted against �Don�t Ask, Don�t Tell� as a Member of Congress, also endorsed repeal, adding that, �When you have an America that is asking men and women to fight and die, the last thing you need to do is give them a lecture on sexual orientation.�
Senator Clinton, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, told the panelists that, �I want to get (repeal) done when I�m president. I want to do it, and I want to be successful. . . . We�re talking about what steps we can take to lay the groundwork so that when we do have a change in the White House . . . we will be able to move on that. It is one of my highest priorities.� Clinton added that �we need to judge people based on conduct and not status. . . . I think we will lay the groundwork and then when I am president we will get it done, and I�m looking forward to that.�
Obama,
speaking to reporters after his on-air appearance, said that he would
�call on the Joint Chiefs of Staff to have them call for an end to . .
. �Don't Ask, Don't Tell.�� Obama went on to say that, �It doesn't make
sense when we have lost Arabic linguists, when we need them so
desperately.�
In stark contrast to the Democrats� support for
repeal, each of the Republican presidential candidates has expressed
support for maintaining �Don�t Ask, Don�t Tell.� Republican candidates
were invited to participate in this evening�s forum, but elected not to
attend.
