Here’s a little video nugget that will get quite a bit of attention. It's already a big hit on the gay and lesbian blogs.
Incoming White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs recorded a video in the last few days as part of Team Obama’s “Open for Questions” segment. He addresses head on whether Obama will get rid of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. It is posted on Obama’s change.gov Web site. The short Youtube clip is here and the longer version where he answers many more questions is here.
The transcript is below:
“Is the new administration going to get rid of the ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy? You don’t hear a politician give a one-word answer much, but it’s yes.”’
More on the controversial policy here.
Hey folks, you know the saying, “Elections have consequences”? Well, here’s a good example of it. This was not a big issue at all in the 2008 presidential campaign yet by electing Obama social conservatives are going to have to deal with the fallout.
It’s not clear how Obama will repeal the policy or when he’ll do it. The Obama campaign has been laser focused on the economy so a fight on this will be a distraction.
Going forward this is a tough spot for Obama. He has to prove his Commander-in-Chief credentials and this decision to eventually try and repeal the policy will open him up to criticism because some will say a decision like this may hurt troop morale and possibly be an issue when it comes to soldiers re-enlisting.
Moreover, it’s crucial that Obama not get bogged down in culture war type issues. He’ll need to spend his political capital wisely.