What are the candidates positions on this issue that was so controversial during the Clinton administration ?
No idea about Hillary, but Obama would repeal it. In an open letter to the gay community, he says, “I have also called for us to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
Apparently Hillary opposes it, as well.
That’s good to hear, thanks, Shayna. Does McCain plan to keep it in place?
BTW, why hasn’t Pelosi et.al. tried to make a legislative end-run and update the UCMJ on this point?
I vaguely recall McCain a few years back saying he did not have a problem with openly Gay and Lesbian people in the military - not sure how he stands now though.
While it is nice that Hillary has spoken in favor, one thing I have to give Obama credit for is that he has been mentioning homophobia in his speeches from day one. Back when I saw him here in Las Vegas in May of last year, he brought up the subject in a speech that was anything but a Gay audience.
I heard on Bill Maher that just the other day, to a mostly black audience, he once again brought up homophobia and despite the somewhat stony silence, he hit hard on the subject and made sure those in the audience knew he considered any discrimination based upon sexual orientation to be wrong. Pretty brave thing to do in front of a mostly black, heterosexual audience during a primary race.
Edit: double post
Hillary penned an open letter to the LGBT community a while ago, long before Obama’s made its way onto his website.
I like Hillary and don’t doubt her sincerity on this subject. However, Obama does discuss this in depth in his book, The Audacity Of Hope, and as I mentioned, he often brings up the subject of homophobia in speeches - not just those that are given specifically to Gay and Lesbian organizations.
BTW, I just clicked on one of the ads on SDMB and saw that McCain believes that states should have the right to determine the legality of Gay marriage - very brave and progressive for a Republican.
Perhaps. I just thought it noble and thoughtful of Hillary to specifically come forward to draft (or at least have an aide) a letter specifically to us.
Blah. I can’t stand the “let the states decide” stance wrt gay marriage.
I don’t think anyone is suggesting that you should feel otherwise about it.
I just read DMark’s post as a statement that by taking that position John McCain is making something of a stand that is against what much of the current core of the Republican Party seems to stand for. It is not as much of one as should be being taken, but ISTM that to take any kind of stand that will be unpopular with a segment of the very constituency he’s trying to woo to win the nomination is a brave, and noteworthy, act.
Oh, I know. I was just expressing my disapproval of John McCain’s chosen position. Carry on. 