The "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Tipping Point

This past week has probably seen more "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" coverage than at any other point in the policy's 17-year history. From Admiral Mike Mullen to General Colin Powell, from Defense Secretary Robert Gates to Senator Joe Lieberman, a chorus of political figures and military leaders have called for an end to the discriminatory policy that boots openly gay and lesbian soldiers out of the military, and prevents many more from entering.

And now tomorrow, a new poll of 3,000 active duty troops will show that support for "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is at an all-time low inside the ranks of the military. Combined, it all begs the question: have we reached the tipping point on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell?"

In physics terms, a tipping point means that an object has moved irreversibly from one state to another. For "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," has debate moved so far to the side of repeal that there's no turning back?

Frank Rich seems to think so. He writes in the New York Times today that opponents of allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military had no idea what to do this week, given the onslaught of repeal sentiment from military leaders. How do you argue, Rich asks, against the heartfelt language used by Adm. Mike Mullen during his testimony before the U.S. Senate, where Mullen plain-spokingly said that forcing soldiers to lie compromises the integrity of the U.S. military?

Let's not forget that Admiral Mullen and Defense Secretary Gates were both appointed to their positions by President George W. Bush. Colin Powell? Yeah, he was a Republican official, too. And Joe Lieberman? He endorsed Sen. John McCain in 2008. In other words, these aren't individuals that can be easily branded as socialists by the Tea Party sect.

These are folks that conservatives have respected for eons, and folks who have been heralded among military audiences for just as long.

Have their voices, coupled with the fact that upwards of 75 percent of the U.S. thinks that "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" should be repealed, been enough to create a tipping point -- a point at which support for "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" in its current form becomes toxic?

U.S. politicians would be wise to find out. Let's see GOP candidates for the U.S. Senate in New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Nevada, Colorado and Florida (to name a few) answer whether they'd support a repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Put them in the uncomfortable position of having to cuddle with the anti-LGBT crazies in their party, or take an independent stand on behalf of what up to three-quarters of the country sees as a civil rights issue.

As Rich argues, most independents -- the flavor du jour in American politics -- support progressive stands on social issues. "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" seems like a softball one.

Democrats would be wise to have a spine on this one. Folks like Adm. Mike Mullen and Defense Secretary Gates do. And if they can stand up, look John McCain in the eye, and tell him that he's flat wrong on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," there's no reason progressives around the country can't do the same, too.

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