Foes of 'Don't Ask' Repeal in Trouble Now

We knew the broad strokes of the Pentagon's review of Don't Ask, Don't Tell before today's official release, but the details also tell an important story, writes Greg Sargent at the Plum Line blog. "The upshot: It will leave GOP moderates with no reasons left to oppose repeal." For starters, the report undercuts one of the arguments used by foes of repeal—that families of service members will be worried about their loved ones mingling with gay troops. The survey finds that 74% of spouses simply don't care.

Repeal foes also like to note that Marines remain skeptical about removing DADT. That's true, but the report also finds that 84% of Marines who'd worked with gay troops had nothing negative to say about the experience. "Bottom line: The military has spoken. And the pretexts for opposing repeal are running out," writes Sargent. He also notes that Robert Gibbs made clear that President Obama thinks there's enough time for the Senate to act in the lame-duck session, which could turn up pressure on Harry Reid. Click here for more on the growing pressure for repeal.
(More Don't Ask Don't Tell repeal stories.)