An Important Step Toward Overturning "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"?

by Michael Jones · 2009-06-02 12:14:00 UTC
Topics:

Obama and McHugh

With news out that President Barack Obama has nominated New York Rep. John McHugh to be the next Secretary of the Army, it appears that "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" took another lurch forward toward its ultimate death.

At least, that's the hope.

Rep. John McHugh, a Republican, is on the record stating that the military needs to look into the discriminatory policy.  Though no official comment was put forward by either McHugh or Obama today, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs confirmed that McHugh's thoughts on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" likely favor a repeal.

Servicemembers United seems to agree, and issued a press release via email this afternoon saying: "[McHugh's nomination] represents an important step forward for the ‘Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Repeal Movement. The White House has made clear to us that Congressman McHugh fully intends to support the President's goal of repealing ‘Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' His support, especially after his transition to the Pentagon, will be crucial as we continue our work toward building consensus for repeal where it counts."

Many activists, and even this blog right here, have taken Obama to task for moving at a slow-as-molasses pace when it comes to overturning "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."  But is Obama employing a strategy where he's trying to appoint senior military leaders and the leadership of the Defense Department to put in place the foundation for repeal?

That may be the case.  And if it is, it becomes a question of just how long LGBT activsts are willing to be patient before getting angry.

Michael Jones is a Change.org Editor. He has worked in the field of human rights communications for a decade, most recently for Harvard Law School.
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