WATCH: Dick Cheney Supports "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Repeal

Former Vice President Dick Cheney appeared on ABC's "This Week", mostly to criticize the Obama Administration on terrorism and taxes. Cheney, the former Defense Secretary in the George HW Bush Administration, did say that it was time to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" if Joint Chiefs Chairman Admiral Michael Mullen and other top brass said so.

Says the former Vice President, "Twenty years ago, the military were strong advocates of "don't ask/don't tell," when I was secretary of defense. I think things have changed significantly since then. I see that Don Mullen—or Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has indicated his belief that we ought to support a change in the policy. So I think—my guess is the policy will be changed.

Cheney adds, "I think the society has moved on. I think it's partly a generational question. I say, I'm reluctant to second-guess the military in this regard, because they're the ones that have got to make the judgment about how these policies affect the military capability of our of our units, and that first requirement that you have to look at all the time is whether or not they're still capable of achieving their mission, and does the policy change, i.e., putting gays in the force, affect their ability to perform their mission? When the chiefs come forward and say, "We think we can do it," then it strikes me that it's time to reconsider the policy. And I think Admiral Mullen said that."

Dick Cheney says he is reluctant to second-guess the military. Why do his Republican friends continue to do so? Via Think Progress, watch it AFTER THE JUMP ...

Comments

[Dalton]

It seems to me that Cheney sees the writing on the wall. But for his abrupt change on DADT, just like on marriage equality, I wish he would have had the courage of his convictions while VPOTUS.

[FREELEO]

Have I left earth and moved to Bazarro world? I've never agreed with Dick Cheney about anything. They can say it's going to take years to do way with the policy but I really do believe DADT will be a done deal by the end of the year.

[FQ]

Has hell froze over? Wow

[Da' Realist One]

I dont know, maybe I see it in a different view, but it strikes me as funny how all these high power politicians seem to trumpet GLBT equality AFTER they have stepped down from office...

Why wasn't all of this voice of reason spoken when you held the VP spot from 2000-2008?
Why did it take having your LESBIAN DAUGHTER coming out for you to all of a sudden have a change of heart?

Between him and Clinton I really don't know how to take all of this "change of heart" when so much could have been done while in executive positions of power.
Sure, its nice to hear NOW, but how politically expedient for all this to come out when you don't have a desire to run for office or have any major political influence ANYMORE...

[Talarico]

Thanks Dick. Too little, too late, FCK U!

[Diva1961]

Purely because his daughter Mary came out. He wants the best for his children and sees how much this can hurt his own family.