Claire McCaskill on Repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”

Last night on MSNBC’s Hardball with Chris Matthews, Senator-elect Claire McCaskill fielded tough questions on many of the issues she will face as a new member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Among other issues, Matthews questioned Senator-elect McCaskill about her views on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” In response, McCaskill said “that’s a good question. I don’t see any reason to change it at this point … but I’m open to talking about it…. I’m anxious to talk about it.”

Now that’s what I call an invitation. We would have preferred, of course, if McCaskill had endorsed repeal, but there was a definite silver lining in her willingness to listen.

SLDN supporters in DC and Missouri alike were abuzz with McCaskill’s comments last night, making plans to reach out to her and educate her on this issue. Claire McCaskill has a reputation as a fair-minded policy maker who is willing to listen to the arguments on both side of an issue and stand up for what she believes.

And Missouri is a great place for McCaskill to get an education on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Three members of the Missouri House delegation are co-sponsors of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act. The St. Louis Board of Aldermen has passed a resolution calling on Congress to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Pat and Wally Kutteles, parents of murdered Army soldier Barry Winchell, live in Kansas City, Missouri, and are two of the most powerful voices for repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in the country. SLDN’s own board member, Kathleen Clark, has been working with local activists from PROMO, the Gateway Stonewall Democrats and other organizations for over a year to build support in Missouri for repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” And maybe most telling, the very first LGBT veterans contingent ever to march in the Kansas City Veterans Day parade marched at the very front of the parade with their rainbow flags and “honor every veteran” signs this year and drew nothing but respectful applause from those who attended.

The people of Missouri understand the importance of this issue, and Senator-elect McCaskill is sure to soon as well. We’re looking forward to the conversation too.

- Sharon Alexander