This is a good fight to have while the repukes are trying to stall health reform. Distract them and their idiot base with another front.

it sure looks like Al Franken brought an extra set with him for Reid. Or, it looks like Reid is taking the 60 vote thing seriously.

eric

not enuff cannon fodder?

WTF?

now there, indeed, is the commonest denominator fer gittin' our illustrious statespeople on board dumping DADT... yassir.

how about putting in a military draft -- but only for same sex married folks?

By all means, repeal this ridiculous DADT.

However, in order to beef up the military, let the draft drop the barriers for age, anal cysts, football knees and yellow spines. Then, ever so many Chickenhawks, either of the military Rah-Rah type and/or the bar preyers can enjoy some very basic training. Of course, with all of their vast "military for others" experience they would want to flood the officer corps. Geez, an overload of flag officers. Thus, when General Rush is captured, he can demand to be served food on a tin plate ala "The Mouse That Roared".

I've said it before, but I hope Obama's disappointing reticence on this issue is based on drawing the wrong lesson from Clinton's experiences with it. It isn't the 90s any more. Public attitudes have changed, and this stupid, shameful policy directly undermines the national security of all Americans, in addition to being massively unfair to GLBT people in the service.

If Obama's going to do anything administratively, I'd like to see a crackdown on sexual assault -- which he could then point to and say that it's these people who are the real threat to "discipline," "good order" and "morale."

It is looking good on the other side of the Capitol, where HR 1283 (full and complete repeal), has 161 co-sponsors as of today. (Including at least one Republican, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Miami.)

Justin, Rep. Ros-Letinen has always been a staunch supporter of repeal. She was one of the original 2007 co-sponsors of a repeal bill. she's a breath of fresh air.

As for Harry Reid, screw him. Steve, your story is WILDLY misleading. Reid was in a press conference with Judy Shepard, announcing that the hate crimes bill, the Matthews Shepard Act, was being attached to the Defense Authorization Bill, just like in 2007, rather than voted as a standalone. When questioned by reporters on Gillibrand's little publicity stunt, he didn't have a clue what they were talking about. He had no idea a member of his own caucus was proposing an 18-month moratorium on DADT investigations and discharges. He was talking out his ass. A transcript of the press conference can be found here at CQ politics.

QUESTION: Senator Reid, do you support a legislative moratorium on Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell that would last 18 months, as part of the defense bill, (OFF-MIKE) Senator Gillibrand (OFF-MIKE) considering right now?

REID: What is her -- what’s she doing?

QUESTION: She’s considering an amendment to the defense bill that would put an 18-month moratorium on Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell (OFF- MIKE) for 18 months?

REID: Well, I feel, on this issue, that we’re -- we’re having a trouble -- we’re having trouble getting people into the military. And I think that we shouldn’t turn down anybody that’s willing to fight for our country, certainly based on sexual orientation. I feel strongly that -- I support the president; I support the members of the Joint Chiefs who have not spoken out publicly. But I think we’re going to -- if -- if Kirsten offers this amendment, I will support, at least as far as I understand what you just told me, that it would basically change the present policy for 18 months. Is that right?

Harry Reid isn't "taking this seriously," as your purport. He didn't even know it was happening until a reporter told him.

This 18 month moratorium is basically gay entrapment. Troop investigations and discharges are put on hold for 18 months, and then what? Full repeal to follow? Please. Midterm campaigns are starting soon, then it will 2012, the excuses will start flying, and round and round we go again. This is a publicity stunt by Kirsten Gillibrand because Rep. Carolyn Maloney is eyeing that Senate seat, and Maloney is a darling of the left in New York. She, at least, has sponsored original legislation for an inclusive Family Medical Leave Act, which is far better and longer lasting than 18 months of false security resulting in even more gay witch hunts at the expiration date.

That's not even addressing the fact that Gillibrand and Reid are proposing putting two major LGBT legislative issues onto the Defense Authorization Bill as amendments when Obama has vowed to veto it due to F-22 funding. That's not a sign that they're "taking it seriously." It's a sign of the contempt the Democratic Party has for LGBT lives after the votes have been tallied.

Don't give Harry Reid and Kirsten Gillibrand credit where it isn't deserved.

An 18-month moratorium? Then what? This doesn't even begin to make sense.

"An 18-month moratorium?...This doesn't even begin to make sense." SqueskyRat @ 3:49 PM.
18 months from now takes us to mid-January, 2011.
The next general election (when Reid, Gillibrand, another 30-odd senators and the entire membership of the House are up for re/election) is in 2010. November, 2010. 15 months and 3 weeks from now.
Now does it make sense?