Huckabee -- In His Own Words

So, Mike Huckabee has become the chattering classes’ cause celeb and for the first time this primary season, the bright lights of the nation's attention are being cast in his direction. Will Huckabee emerge from the political mist to ascend to the presidency like Jimmy Cater in 1976? Or will he shine bright and then flame out like other candidates have before? The decision is up to you.

In an effort to keep our readers and supporters informed SLDN has put together a small selection of notes and quotes from Huckabee on the issue of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

In response to a questionnaire Huckabee filled-out in 1992, during his first run for political office, he rejected the idea of allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly, before adding:

"I believe to try to legitimize that which is inherently illegitimate would be a disgraceful act of government. I feel homosexuality is an aberrant, unnatural and sinful lifestyle, and we now know it can pose a dangerous public health risk."

More recently, when answering a question on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" during the Republican CNN/YouTube debate, Huckabee reaffirmed his support for the ban by saying that:

"The Uniform Code of Military Justice is probably the best rule, and it has to do with conduct. People have a right to have whatever feelings, whatever attitudes they wish, but when their conduct could put at risk the morale, or put at risk even the cohesion that Duncan Hunter spoke of, I think that's what is at issue. And that's why our policy is what it is."

So here you have it -- Mike Huckabee in his own words. I hope this information answers some questions you may have about who Huckabee is and what he believes.

Will Huckabee surge from dark-horse candidate to become the Republican presidential nominee? Will his star fall to earth as quickly as it rose? Only you, the voter, can decide.

I know who I will, and who I won't, be supporting for president. Do you?

-Victor Maldonado

"A Tough, No Non-Sense Guy"

. . . that's how News Hounds (motto: We watch FOX so you don't have to) describes Brigadier General Keith Kerr's appearance last night on The O'Reilly Factor.

General Kerr appeared on O'Reilly following his much-publicized question at last week's CNN/YouTube Republican Debate. And by all accounts, the General reminded O'Reilly how he earned his stars.

"O'Reilly tried to keep pushing the same angle but realized he had nothing to spin" after Kerr succinctly and clearly answered all of the host's questions, News Hounds says. And the FOX watchdog concludes by noting that, "Keith Kerr is obviously a very tough no nonsense guy and BOR knew that he wouldn't fall for the usual manipulative interview techniques."

We couldn't have said it better ourselves.

Well done, General. All of us working for repeal salute you for another outstanding appearance.

- Steve Ralls

The General is Back

When CNN announced earlier this week that it had removed Brigadier General Keith Kerr's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" question from re-broadcasts of the CNN/YouTube Republican debate, SLDN partnered with our friends at GLAAD to reach out to the network and ask that they re-insert the question.

As we've pointed out, there was no reason to remove General Kerr's question from future broadcasts of the debate, as the controversy surrounding the question was unfounded. CNN, representatives at SLDN and GLAAD told the network, should not be in the business of editing news and should not deprive viewers from the important opportunity to see the candidates debate this issue.

Late last night, we received word that the network will include the questions in re-broadcasts, which begin airing on CNN today.

SLDN applauds CNN for doing the right thing, and salutes our colleagues at GLAAD, especially national news director Cindi Creager, for their critical help in making this victory possible.

- Steve Ralls

A Time for Heroes

I first met Brigadier General Keith Kerr when, in 2003, I helped to coordinate his ‘coming out’ – along with another General and an Admiral – in the New York Times. General Kerr’s honesty made history, making him one of the highest ranking military leaders to ever publicly acknowledge that he is gay. It was a moment of immense pride for me, and I still consider the story one of the highlights of my time with Servicemembers Legal Defense Network.

That pride was matched last night as I watched General Kerr address the Republican presidential candidates and call them out on their support for “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” The General’s question was eloquent, pointed and necessary. Here, at last, was a decorated veteran, with 43 years of service under his belt, calling on our political leaders to do the right thing and lift the ban. I was at home, beaming with pride as I watched General Kerr challenge the candidates on their support for a prejudicial and unnecessary law. By 10:55pm, I was sure the good General had launched an effective and important debate in our country about open service in the military.

By 11pm, however, I was on the phone with reporters who had been tipped off, apparently, by Bill Bennett (he of oh so many morals) that General Kerr was a supporter of Senator Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign. Mr. Bennett’s not-so-subtle insinuation was that General Kerr had been a Clinton ‘plant’ at the debate and that his motivation was to somehow initiate his own ‘shock and awe’ at the debate over the issue of gays in the military. Nothing, in fact, could have been further from the truth.

Continue reading A Time for Heroes at Bilerico.com . . .

A Gay General Asks. Will GOP Candidates Tell?

Brigadier General Keith Kerr, CSMR (Ret.), a member of SLDN's military advisory council, has posed a question for tonight's CNN/YouTube debate with GOP presidential candidates.

"I want to know," General Kerr, who has 43 years of service under his belt asks, "why you think that American men and women in uniform are not professional enough to serve with gays and lesbians."

It's a good question, and one we hope will make it into tonight's debate. Tune in to CNN, beginning at 8pm, to see if General Kerr's question makes the line-up.

- Steve Ralls

Cast Your Vote

On November 28th, YouTube and CNN will hold the second presidential primary debate. This time, the republicans will battle it out for the race to the White House. This means that it's time to cast your vote! What questions do you want to see answered? Go to www.communitycounts.us  to vote for your favorite video.

SLDN has cast our own question, in particular to Ron Paul, but the question is an important one. What will each candidate do to get rid of Don't Ask, Don't Tell and end the discrimination toward gay, lesbian, and bisexual service members. You can vote for our submission by going to the website and putting "Ron Paul" into the search box. Here is our question:

Here is another great question from a service member:


We can not get our questions answered without your votes so cast your vote today!

-Jason Knight

If You Ask Them, They Won't Come

So they have used YouTube to promote themselves, but when it comes to answering questions from the public, they can't seem to anty up. With hundreds of YouTubers posting questions for the upcoming Republican Debate, only two have accepted the invite - Senator John McCain (AZ) and Rep. Ron Paul (TX).

Giuliani, Romney, and Tancredo all have their own YouTube pages with videos promoting their campaign, so why won't they show?

"I think the presidency ought to be held at a higher level than having to answer questions from a snowman," Governor Romney said, commenting on the Democratic Debate this past month. Granted, the snowman was a bit kooky. But because it came from a lowly citizen, does it make it less relevant?

"You hear a lot about supporting the troops from the Republicans, and we're not getting any kind of support from the government ..... We are getting more than 15-month deployments. We are getting cut out of our bonuses. .... How will you support the troops?" Erin Neaves asked on her uploaded video.

So will they show? Or will they not? Only time will tell. At least we know that Congressman Paul, who seems to be racking up the questions, will attend. Vote here for the questions you want to see answered.

- Jason Knight

Cast Your Vote!

What questions would You like to see asked at the upcoming Republican Debate?

Well here is your chance to vote on the questions you want answers to.

We have submitted our own question for the debate. Specifically for Congressman Ron Paul, but generally for all candidates, the focus on the question asks where the importance of the private lives of troops ranks up against other issues and asks whether the candidate, being a vet himself, would be proud to serve alongside another servicemember who happens to be gay.

Cast your vote. You can vote for our question by going here and typing "DADT Question for Ron Paul" in the 'Search Titles' block.

-Jason Knight