Obama gives view of don't ask, don't tell
WASHINGTON (AP) - April 10, 2008 The Democratic presidential front-runner favors repealing the
"don't ask, don't tell" policy on gays, which was instituted
during the Clinton administration. He said his priority for the
Joint Chiefs will be that they make decisions to strengthen the
military and keep the country safe, not their position on the
policy.
"I would never make this a litmus test for the Joint Chiefs of
Staff," Obama said in an interview with The Advocate, a gay
newsmagazine.
"But I think there's increasing recognition within the Armed
Forces that this is a counterproductive strategy," he said.
"We're spending large sums of money to kick highly qualified gays
or lesbians out of our military, some of whom possess specialties
like Arab-language capabilities that we desperately need. That
doesn't make us more safe."
The Advocate provided The Associated Press with excerpts of the
interview, posted on its Web site Thursday.
The interview comes after Obama was criticized by gay advocates
for not speaking to the gay media. The Philadelphia Gay News last
week ran a large blank space on its front page next to an interview
with Hillary Rodham Clinton to highlight that he did not talk to
the publication.
"The gay press may feel like I'm not giving them enough love,
but basically all press feels that way at all times," Obama told
The Advocate. He said he's frequently spoken out against homophobia
and in support of gay rights.
Asked what he could reasonably accomplish for the gay community
as president, Obama said he can "reasonably see" repeal of the
"don't ask, don't tell" policy as well as signing legislation to
ban workplace discrimination against gays. He said he'd like
transgendered people to be covered by the law, but thinks it would
be tough to get such legislation through Congress.
Obama also said he's interested in ensuring that same-sex
couples in civil unions get federal benefits.
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On the Net:
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