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From Day One, when the Administration announced this Pentagon review, word all over Capitol Hill when our side did lobby days was that this or that member would not commit to review because they wanted to wait to see what the Pentagon review said. The review essentially gave cover to those who either opposed repeal but didn’t want to say so, or supported it but did not want to take a vote on it, by allowing them to say they wanted to “follow the process”, refusing to take a position. It eventually became a serious roadblock towards repeal because of the timeline around it. It’s a bad excuse no one should fall for, because lots of people in elected office had positions on the merits of repeal before the review was announced, so there is no good reason that all of a sudden you have no opinion, or your previous opinion evaporated, just because there’s a review. Rep. Brad Ellsworth, for example, even sits on the Armed Services Committee and could not bring himself to take a position all year long. I even asked him directly in a liveblog at Blue Indiana and he ignored the question (though eventually voted yes).
So, when folks like Rep. Dave Reichert use it, I roll my eyes. From Joe at the Seattle P-I:
Congressmen Reichert can’t have it both ways. After getting blasted by bloggers, Equal Rights Washington, and his opponent Susan DelBene, Reichert issued the following statement in an attempt to back peddle from his clearly inexcusable no vote on an Amendment that could lead to the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
“Let me be clear: I am not suggesting homosexuals should not be able to serve openly in the military. One of the greatest duties of this Congress is to protect the freedoms and liberties of all Americans. I hope we can all agree that it is unjust to deny people the right to pursue the American Dream and realize success and opportunity in the workplace. That’s why I’ve supported legislation such as the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. However, I believe policy decisions affecting the military must reflect the input, perspectives, and judgment of the generals in command, and a decision on this issue must be entrusted to them. We must continue to support the men and women who are risking their lives each and every day and ensure that they have the best training and equipment available to carry out their duties.”
Reichert is trying to have it both ways in terms of wanting to get LGBT community support. Since January, everyone has bent over backwards with the purpose of helping individuals like him are moderates or from tough districts have enough “cover” to get to a yes vote in favor of repeal, and he still can’t do it. The President announces at the SOTU. Sec. Gates and Admiral Mullen testify in support. Colin Powell and even Dick Cheney (you read that right, Dick Cheney) come out in support. Last week’s CNN poll put the public at 78% in support, a number that goes back, give or take a few points, for three years. Then a compromise is made to give the Pentagon review even higher attention and priority and to require the President, Secretary of Defense, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs to “certify” that this is essentially good for the country. Then a 60-day waiting period is added to the language, post-certification.
All of this, and Reichert still can’t bring himself to vote for repeal? Please. Don’t come ’round here saying you really wanted to vote for repeal but just couldn’t bring yourself to do so after the entire world bends over backwards to give individuals like yourself all kinds of reasons to support repeal. The same goes for Jim Webb and anyone else using that excuse.
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