Senate Dems claim enough votes to repeal 'Don't ask' policy

I'm glad to see that the Congressional Democrats are fighting back and not letting this slide. And I'm glad that the President sent his team down to the Capitol to strategize on this along with the GLBT attorneys and advocates. My guess is we're going to score a win for the good guys on this - I hope I'm not wrong.

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/130043-senate-dems-claim-enough-votes-to-repeal-qdont-askq-policy

"Senate Democrats are confident they have at least 60 votes for a Defense Department authorization measure that includes a repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.

“I am confident that we have more than 60 votes prepared to take up the defense authorization bill with the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ repeal, if only there is a guarantee of a fair and open amendment process,” Sen. Joe Lieberman (Conn.), an independent who caucuses with Democrats, said at a Thursday morning press conference. “I repeat, there’s more than 60 senators, I’m convinced, who are prepared to vote for this bill including ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

Lieberman acknowledged that Republicans are insisting on a deliberate, protracted debate on the Clinton-era policy, which is tucked into a massive measure that authorizes policy, spending and benefits for the military.

Republicans are expected to insist on the right to offer a long list of amendments and force votes on them. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has threatened a filibuster the policy, which bans openly gay people from serving in the military.

McCain offered no change of position to The Hill on Thursday during an interview.

He maintained that he has problems with the Defense Department study, which he said wasn't a survey, but rather a study about how to implement a policy reversal. And, he said only 28 percent of military personnel responded.

"All I want is a study that assess the impact on battle effectiveness and morale of a repeal," McCain said. "The so-called 'survey' was on how to implement a repeal."

I don't get it.

be removed from office. For his own safety and the safety of the people of Arizona.

I think that's about it.

that must really piss him off.

He HATES Obama, and will righteously oppose ANYTHING if Obama is for it. Never mind if he supported similar policies at various points.

The thing is most Dems mistook McCain back in the Bush years. He's just a dick - he hated George W. Bush because Bush beat him and then out of anger started voting with Democrats a bunch. Later, he gets beaten by Obama, redirects his anger, and starts voting against Obama on everything.

He's just a dick.

for the repeal of DADT. He has to reward the RWers who voted for him. He'll keep moving the goalposts. He already has. But if he filibusters, they better MAKE him really filibuster.

Do it.

Then move to the next thing. We are on a schedule here.

.... we're to the point where I think folks are starting to see that repeal is inevitable and the only question is on what side of history they're willing to stand.

Fingers crossed. Thank you for the update ruggerson.

all along. The survey is supposed to give the Republicans some cover.

Probably the main drama will be about what, if any, Amendments the Republicans, along with some Conservative Democrats, manage to stick onto the Bill.

It reminds me of the Stupak Amendment getting attached to the House HCR Bill because I think the Dems will swallow A LOT to this passed. I hope they stick together and don't let any poison pills get attached.

The Republicans did actually run some of those "Senator/Representative _____ voted to let sex offenders get access to viagra" commercials.