PFLAG's Steve Ralls essays at the Huffington Post that General Colin Powell's endorsement of Barack Obama "can play a major role... in bringing the GOP a long way toward embracing repeal" of the odious "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
Senator McCain has often cited Powell as a primary reason for his support of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." And if the General publicly says the case for repeal made by Senator Obama and some GOP lawmakers is the right one, it should compel McCain to revisit that support. Doing so would not be unprecedented in his party.
Former Congressman Jim Kolbe of Arizona, who Senator McCain has said he admires and respects greatly, was a champion of repeal during his time in Congress. Similarly, GOP lawmakers Ileana Ros-Lehtinent of Florida and Christopher Shays of Connecticut, have also endorsed repeal. And during his time in the House, former Congressman Wayne Gilchrest, a Vietnam war veteran, also supported legislation to lift the ban.
General Powell may be able to help bring along even more Republican lawmakers in the fight to get rid fo the law, and he could challenge Senator McCain's defense of the ban by also challenging him to revisit his position on the issue.
If it wasn't for then-Chairman of the Joints Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell's outspoken opposition to gay men and lesbians openly serving in the military, the political drama that resulted in DADT could have fared somewhat differently. But fourteen years later, Powell admits DADT is "a discriminatory policy" and "the country has changed." With the four star general's support behind the Obama campaign and hopefully part of its Administration, Republicans opposing DADT can no longer hid behind his name.
What Will Powell's Endorsement Mean [HuffPo]
Some Background ...
Obama Conference Call on "Don't Ask" [R20]
Obama Talks to "The Advocate" [R20]
Gays in Military Do Not Undermine "Cohesiveness" [R20]
Court of Appeals Upholds "Don't Ask" [R20]
Joint Chiefs Nominee: Congress Can Reconsider "Don't Ask" [R20]
Romney Defends Pace's Anti-Gay Remarks [R20]
Joint Chiefs Chairman Criticizes Gays [R20]
Former Joint Chiefs Chairman: End DADT [R20]
Former Defense Secretary: End DADT [R20]
Colin Powell on Guantanamo [R20]
Joint Chiefs Chairman Regrets Criticizing Gays [R20]
General Says Bush Worst Thing to Happen [R20]
Former Defense Secretary: End DADT [R20]
Former Joint Chiefs Chair: End DADT [R20]
Most Soldiers Support Gays [R20]
Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Hearings? [R20]
News: DADT, Maryland Hearings [R20]
News: Don't Ask, Don't Tell [R20]
I didn't know Gen. Powell had changed directions on DADT. Good. As a veteran, I know there are many SGL men and women in the service. When I was in the service everyone knew who was who and respected everyone for who they were. That was decades ago in the 1970's.And to hear Gen. Powell testify during the Clinton Admin. that a disruption to order would happen if people knew who was sgl incensed me because he wasn't telling the truth. I'm glad he's finally come around. As far as the GOP, well, they always come around in due time. On matters of race, women's rights, etc., they always drag ass.
Posted by: Doug Cooper-Spencer | 21 October 2008 at 12:34