The Advocate and Senator Obama

This week the Advocate magazine published its recent interview with presidential hopeful Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) during which he and Advocate news editor Kerry Eleveld discussed, among other issues, the need to repeal the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law.

When asked “if you were elected, what do you plan to do for the LGBT community -- what can you reasonably get done?” Senator Obama replied, “I reasonably can see ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ eliminated.”

I am extremely encouraged by Senator Obama's optimism to get "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repealed. He, like Senator Clinton, wants this terrible law repealed sooner rather than later. It is also my hope we can persuade Senator McCain this inequitable law must go. Our opportunity to repeal this law is in the next Congress -- with a new president in the White House demonstrating leadership in the repeal fight.

Later in the interview Eleveld returns to the issue of gays in the military asking, “you’ve said before you don’t think that’s [ repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”] a heavy lift. Of course, it would be if you had Joint Chiefs who were against repeal. Is that something you’ll look at?” Senator Obama responded saying he, “would never make this a litmus test for the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Obviously, there are so many issues that a member of the Joint Chiefs has to deal with, and my paramount obligation is to get the best possible people to keep America safe. But I think there’s increasing recognition within the Armed Forces that this is a counterproductive strategy -- ya know, we’re spending large sums of money to kick highly qualified gays or lesbians out of our military, some of whom possess specialties like Arab-language capabilities that we desperately need. That doesn’t make us more safe, and what I want are members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who are making decisions based on what strengthens our military and what is going to make us safer, not ideology.”

SLDN applauds Senator Obama’s support for repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and, likewise, we appreciate Senator Clinton’s commitment to get this done. I hope the next president will expect everyone on his or her leadership team to be on the same page on major public policy initiatives, including “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” I believe we have all learned tough lessons from what happens when the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs is not aligned with what his Commander in Chief wants to do. Unfortunately, that kind of disconnect is one of the reasons we got “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” fifteen years ago instead of an executive order permitting open service.

-Aubrey Sarvis

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

HRC/Logo Debate Still Going

Senator Chris Dodd appeared on his own HRC/Logo debate this weekend when a new page went up on his presidential campaign website answering questions from Friday nights debate. What was he doing Friday night?

Excerpt:

Question 11. Would you repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell?

Yes. I believe that “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” prevents people like Marine Staff Sgt. Eric Alva, the first American wounded in the war in Iraq, from being recognized as they should for their heroic acts in defense of our country. Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Americans ought to be able to serve in the armed forces without being required to hide part of their identities from their fellow soldiers. We need every skilled person we can get in the armed forces. Excluding people based on their sexual orientation is ludicrous and would run counter to our national security goals.

Bradford Wade made this comment about the Senator's untimely response:

If you chose not to participate, I would rather hear that addressed directly and honestly. It's a matter of respect.

If your schedule did not permit you to attend, it would have been better if that had been announced: "Chris Dodd regrets that a scheduling conflict prevents him from participating this evening." Maybe I missed it, but I don't even recall your name being mentioned.

Check out the full transcript and what Dodd had to say on other issues here.

- Jason Knight

LOGO Debate Round up

Thank you to all of the participants in tonight's forum. For a gay kid from Michigan, to have the chance to sit and watch the future President of the United States talk proudly and openly about my issues and my life.....well it means a lot, perhaps it means a lot to you too?

America is an amazing, complex, strange, and wonderful place, and it is changing -- changing for the better. Thank you all and may God bless.

Winner:
For my money, it's Gravel....he may face significant challenges in his campaign for the White House, but his humanism and common decency shine through.

Runners-up:
Senator Clinton, practical, powerful...Presidential!

If you are LGB or T it is hard not to love Dennis Kucinich. You see, he loves us and we love him and all that love is lovely. Peace, man!

Highlights:
Ethridge 'coming out' as a rich, white woman! Classic!

Senator Edwards saying “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. . . 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.’”

Congressman Dennis Kucinich telling the audience 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, 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, saying “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 adding 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.’”


-Victor Maldoando

Blogging...Clinton

10:36pm
A lawyer, mother, First Lady and Senator, Hillary Clinton is almost as multi-faceted as Madonna. And everyone knows how much we LOVE Madonna.

Long considered to be a strong supporter of LGBT rights within her husband’s administration, Hillary’s first public words on the subject came during her campaign against, then Senate candidate, Rudy Giuliani. In December 1999, the New York Times reported that Hillary told supporters that the 'don't ask, don't tell’ policy, intended to make it easier for gay men and lesbians to serve in the military, had been a failure. (BTW….for those of you watching the GOP debates….read the whole NYT piece and check out Rudy’s reaction to Hillary).

In every campaign she has run, Hillary has championed the rights of lesbian and gay service members, and she has even gone as far as identifying “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” as the one thing she would change about her husbands Administration.

President Hillary Clinton would certainly repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and so the question, to paraphrase Sen. Clinton herself, “is she your girl?”

-Jason

QUOTES:
SOLMONESE:
Senator, thank you for being here tonight. You've said in past settings like this and all across the country that you would like to repeal "Don't ask; don't tell." Now, since 2003 you've sat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, the committee that would decide this issue. Why haven't you introduced legislation to repeal this policy?

CLINTON:
Well, Joe, first, thanks for doing this and thanks for everybody being here and having this forum.
I think the very simple answer is we didn't have a chance with the Republican Congress and George Bush as president. And I want to get it done when I'm president. I want to do it and have it be successful. I don't want to try in a Republican Congress with a very negative president and have it defeated.
We're talking now that we have a Democratic Congress about what steps we can take to sort of lay the groundwork so that when we do have a change in the White House, which can't happen too soon to suit me...
(APPLAUSE)
... we will be able to move on that.
But I just want to put it into a broader context, because it's one of my highest priorities. I came out against "Don't ask; don't tell" in 1999. It was a transitional action that was taken back at the beginning of my husband's administration, because at the time there was such a witch hunt going on.

COMMENTS:
Hillary takes on DADT from the top....nice!!

Great responce....she addresses her history with the issue as First Lady embraces the principle of gay rights without touching any of the bad decisions and back room comprimises that Bill Clinton made.

Judge them on conduct not status...that is great support Senator Clinton!

Etheridge asks the hard question....what about the promises that have been made? What is different today? How are you different? Good question...perhaps I've underestimated Etheridge?!?

Hillary Clinton takes on Gen. Pace, and she's right....goodbye Gen. Pace, enjoy your retierment and don't let the door hit you in the rear!

On a personal note...I may still be a registered Republican but I've got to admit, Hillary....you're my girl :-)

-Victor Maldonado

GUEST COMMENTS:
Hillary took the first shot on DADT and fired right back. She understands the issue, grasps the nuances, and realizes what’s changed over the last 14 years. The Senator made it clear that she realized ever since 1999 that DADT was no longer an acceptable compromise.

Most importantly, she demonstrated the conviction and political savvy that convinces me that she can make a difference. Indeed, she seems prepared to finish what her husband started: giving all able-bodied Americans the freedom to serve.

Colonel (Ret), US Army

Blogging...Richardson

1020pm
"I voted against it when I served in Congress," Richardson told AP recently, referring to the ban on openly gay service members, signed into law in 1993 by then-president Bill Clinton. "People should not be judged based on their sexual orientation. Throughout my entire career I have fought for equal rights and against discrimination of any kind."

His resume, including stints as a Congressman, Ambassador to the United Nations, Cabinet Secretary and Governor. Bill Richardson is arguably the most qualified man to run for the presidency since George Herbert Walker Bush, and with his deep ties to America’s growing Hispanic community, his candidacy is a serious one.

- Jason Knight

QUOTES:
RICHARDSON:
What we also need to do is redress some of the gross imbalances of the past. If I'm elected president, I would get rid of "Don't ask; don't tell." I didn't vote for it when I was in Congress. 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.

...Now, in "Don't ask; don't tell," I reached a point, even though I was a deputy whip, that I voted against that, because it made no sense to me.

COMMENTS:
Gov. Richardson is right. When a man or a woman decides to commit thier life to defending the rights and privledges of our nation it is wrong, it is un-American, to lecture that soldier on how to live their life.

We are privledged to live beneath a blanket of peace that is maintaind by the blood sweet and tears of brave men and women who beleive that this is the greatest nation the world has ever known. We need to stop letting bigotry guide our laws and give service members the right to live in peace....to be who they are, without judgement or harrasment.

Gov. Richardson seems to get it.

-Victor Maldonado

BTW....if the POTUS thing doesn't work out, Richardson should host a radio show -- that voice is like butter!

GUEST COMMENTS:
Gov. Richardson OPENS with a comment on DADT - you go Governor! That's outstanding.
CDR Zoe Dunning, USNR (ret.)

Give the Governor points for candor and for talking about DADT before he was asked.
Take away points for a potential leader saying you do merely what’s perceived by some as achievable. Sounds like be satisfied with the status quo.
Governor, it’s been “achieved” in the military of 24 nations: giving all able-bodied Americans the freedom to serve. Are we not at least as good and capable as they are?
A leader of vision, a person who can make things happen, is a person who seeks to achieve what’s perceived to be UNachievable.
Colonel (Ret), US Army

Blogging...Gravel

10pm
Refusing to be censored, Mike Gravel is the most outspoken Democrat on the stage tonight when it comes to the issue of gays in the military. "I have also challenged my fellow candidates to join me in publicly pledging that whoever gets elected, he or she will issue an apology on behalf of the federal government to the 100,000 gays and lesbians who were discharged by the military for their sexual orientation," Gravel writes. "No other candidate has joined me in that pledge."

Having served in the army from 1951-1954 Gravel went on to be elected to the Senate from Alaska and served from 1969-81. While in that body Sen. Gravel was integral in releasing the Pentagon Papers to the public and ending the Vietnam War draft.

Sen. Gravel’s views on the LGBT community have been a refreshing breeze throughout this campaign and in fact, Gravel has so far been the only candidate running for President who has made a personal visit to SLDN’s office. Thank you Senator for adding your voice to the debate.

-Victor Maldonado

QUOTES:
GRAVEL
Well, let me say I have worked all of my adult life on this issue and the issue of justice. For me it's justice. It's human rights. It's not whether you're gay. I've advocated many times for gays to come out of the closet, please.
Some people can't pay the price at a given point in time, but there's one thing that counts. You've got to assert your rights. Nobody is going to give you anything from on high. It just does not happen that way in a system of representative government, and so you have to step forward.
And I'll be happy to step forward with you as I have all of my life, and I can promise you one thing. You stand up for me -- and I need your support -- I need your support and want it and beg it, because I'll do more for your cause than any other human being that walks the earth as your president. Thank you very much.

COMMENTS:
OK....let the fireworks begin...

You know he is a little excentric but I have to agree with Ethridge....he is honest and sincere in his beleif that the gay community is good and decent and worthy of the same respect the rest of America. God bless you Mike Gravel.

Thank you Sen. Gravel.....you are right....leaders lead and I appreciate your willingness to push the other candidates on the issues that are importnat to the LGBT community....having you participate in this forum has furthered our national debate.

- Victor Maldonado

Blogging -- Edwards

9:30pm
Former North Carolina Senator John Edwards has been a longstanding opponent of banning gay service in the military. In February of this year when the Military Readiness Enhancement Act (HR 1246), the legislation that would repeal DADT, was reintroduced, Sen. Edwards released a clearly worded policy statement that leaves no doubt about his position. In release, Edwards is quoted as saying, “It is long past time to end the military’s ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy and to allow openly gay men and women to serve in the military. It is critical to our national security that we have the best people in our military. Gay men and women have continually served our country with honor and bravery, and we should honor their commitment and never turn away anyone who is willing to serve their country because of their sexual orientation.”

Flanked by his wife Elizabeth and oozing Southern charm, an Edwards Administration is a real possibility and his candidacy deserves serious consideration.

- Victor Maldonado

QUOTES:
CARLSON:
I want to squeeze in a viewer-generated question. And it's about "Don't ask; don't tell." This is from Jason Knight in Washington, D.C. He was a former native linguist who was dismissed under "Don't ask; don't tell." We have so many fewer Arabic speakers, thanks to that rule.

EDWARDS:
I know. I know.

CARLSON:
And he said since the ban cannot be lifted by executive order, he claims you need more than the president. President Clinton wanted to do more, but ran into the generals, ran into Congress, ran into a lot of roadblocks. So how do you do it? What are you going to do?

EDWARDS:
Well, I think the president of the United States can get rid of "Don't ask; don't tell." I appreciate the question, but if the president of the United States believes that "Don't ask; don't tell" is bad for America -- in fact, bad for our military, and it's discriminatory, all of which is true...

CARLSON:
And when General Colin Powell says no, you can't do it.

EDWARDS:
I'm not sure Colin Powell would say no.

CARLSON:
I think he did say no.

EDWARDS:
Back then. Back then. But it doesn't matter. It's not the job of the generals to make this determination. It is the job of the president of the United States to make this policy decision.
(APPLAUSE)
And I can tell you I am firmly committed to eliminating "Don't ask; don't tell."


COMMENTS:
Ok....Melissa Ethridge gets the first shot at Edwards and asks a wonkish question about health care....what is going on here??

Edwards is talking about children, running away from home because they are gay. What about the ones who leave home to serve their country? What about the ones that leave home for the service only to find out that they are gay? DADT is not only a question for the armed services, it is a problem that affects families, children and adults alike. DADT at its heart is about what it means to be an American.

Edwards just called for repeal of DADT and said that if POTUS beleives DADT is wrong it is up to him to change it and that the President has the authoriy to make those changes....well done Sen. Edwards.

BTW...did you see my officemate Jason Knight's picture....pretty cool! Good question Jason and good answer Sen Edwards.

- Victor Maldonado


GUEST COMMENTS:
It is so encouraging to hear a man seeking to be our Commander-in-Chief declare his convictions regarding the freedom to serve. Former Senator Edwards shows the leadership we need to get the law changed. He needs to recognize that it’s the congress that will make the laws, but his stance will go a long way toward getting the congress to pass the Military Readiness Enhancement Act – so he can sign it into law!

Colonel (Ret), US Army

Blogging the Debate -- Obama

In 1993, the year “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was enacted, Barack Obama had just graduated from Harvard Law where he became the first African-American president of the Harvard Law Review. Needless to say he didn’t have a say in passing DADT back then. But since he has been in office, first in Springfield and now in DC, Obama has been a beacon of hope and optimism not only to the country, but to the LGBT community in particular.

The son of a white woman and a black man growing up in Hawaii, Obama has lived with and overcome bigotry all of his life. The LGBT community understands the kind of struggles Obama has faced and we hope that Obama, in turn, understands ours. Mark McKinnon, former top adviser to President Bush and a former adviser to Senator John McCain, once described Obama as, “the most interesting persona to appear on the political radar screen in decades. He’s a walking, talking hope machine, and he may reshape American politics.” For the sake of gay patriots across this country, and in war zones around the world, we certainly hope so.

Tip O’Neil’s hoary old line about all politics being local is certainly true in the political realities of Sen. Obama. Illinois has in recent years sent some of its most progressive men and women to DC (yes Hillary included). Carol Moseley Braun, who held the Junior Senate seat before Obama, was a leader in progressive politics and a true friend of the LGBT community. Then there are his constituents, including Jean Albright who recently hosted a benefit in honor of gay and lesbian service members in Chicago.

-Victor Maldonado

COMMENTS:
Senator 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.” Steve Ralls

Stepping Up

Editor's note: a SLDN supporter and veteran speaks out about last week's Republican presidential debate.

“The policy is working my friends. The policy is working”.

Respectfully, Sen. McCain, I’m going to step up and disagree. With a string of emails in about my sexual orientation, jokes and all, flying through the USS Frank Cable’s official email traffic last fall, I’d have to say that it works only for heterosexual military members.

It was this homophobic email and the decreasingly subtle comments by my enlisted superiors throughout my command that led me to write a two page letter to my commanding officer to let him know that my time had come. Ten years and one step away from making Chief Petty Officer myself, I knew that my perceived sexual orientation would be an issue during the Navy’s “Chief’s Initiation”. It was time to leave before I suffered very real humiliation with no “real” options for recourse.

I put up with rumors and speculation for nine years and every decision I made in close quarters began with this – “What will people think?”

One superior, in confidence, encouraged me to reconsider my "admission". “There’s growing support for making this go away. I really believe that this is going to go away.” I said thank you and then respectfully replied that as long as President Bush remains president, this was a false hope.

The truth is, many conservative leaders are still carrying the banner marked “Onward Christian Soldiers”. They are unwittingly subscribing to the idea that our armed forces are not soldiers, they’re missionaries.

I knew that most people had no idea or cared very little about who or what I was in my private life. If they did, I would’ve faced a discharge several times over the course of my career. The fact remains, however, that by not being able to openly talk about it, I often found myself forced into secrecy, lying to coworkers and pretending to be someone I was not.

Sen. McCain, if you believe that gay and lesbian service members should be held to a lower standard of integrity than their counterparts; if you believe that lying and emotional blackmail are American values; if you believe that standing naked next to a gay translator in a military locker room is more of a threat than the messages he deciphers from terrorists, then “My Friend”, you are absolutely right – “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” works.

- Former Navy Petty Officer First Class Jeremy Johnson

Mike Gravel Speaks Out on DADT

We posted earlier about former Alaska Senator Mike Gravel's strong support of repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Here's Gravel on Toniq TV speaking out on the ridiculousness of the current law and of the presence of lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals in the militaries of ancient Greece:



-Rebecca Sawyer