Conservatives Shift Toward Repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

Oh, the times they are a-changin'.  While the Obama administration crawls along to try and figure out how best to deal with "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," a new poll from Gallup shows the highest percentage of Americans ever saying they support a repeal of the military's discriminatory policy toward openly gay, lesbian and bisexual soldiers. Nearly 70% of the country now favors killing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

And the best part about the poll?

It shows that people who identify as conservative and weekly churchgoers are flocking toward the position of repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."  According to Gallup, "the biggest increase in support [for repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"] has been among conservatives and weekly churchgoers - up 12 and 11 percentage points, respectively" over the past four years.

Not that President Obama needs this poll in order for action on ending "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," but these numbers certainly indicate that the President should exercise some political capital on the issue.  His risk is minimal, and the benefit will not only be to the gay, lesbian and bisexual community, but eliminating "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is a move that will make the U.S. safer, and our military stronger.

Of course, further inaction only means that more soldiers will be discharged and fired under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."  Already, more than 230 soldiers have been canned under Obama simply for being open about their sexual orientation, and more than 12,500 have been fired since the policy was originally enacted during President Bill Clinton's first-term in office.

David Shuster, the MSNBC reporter, took Obama to task over this yesterday on his "Hypocrisy Watch."  Schuster noted that all throughout his Presidential campaign, Obama promised to be a fierce advocate for LGBT rights, and would act quickly to dismantle "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."  But with all signs pointing to status quo from the Obama administration on the issue, Schuster laid it on the line:

...it was perfectly clear, Mr. President, you promised on the campaign to end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and your spokesman said that you would keep the promise. But, here we are, more than four months into your administration and the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy remains in place. And since you took office, more than 200 members of the military have been discharged simply because they told the truth about their sexual orientation...

With nearly 70 percent of the country now favoring an end to "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," there's nary a reason for Obama to delay.