On the Spot (CNSNews.com) - Despite recent calls from Democrats, including presidential candidate Barack Obama, to do away with the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy concerning homosexuals in the military, Senate Republicans, including John McCain, say the policy seems to work and should be kept.
On Wednesday, a House Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel will convene to review the controversial policy.
“I think the policy is working, and from my understanding the leadership of the military is comfortable with it,” Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) told CNSNews.com at the Capitol on Tuesday.
“It’s not perfect, but it seems to be effective,” Sessions said. “Their interest is in having a strong military, so I would be in favor of keeping the policy.”
Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.) told CNSNews.com that she thinks the policy is discriminatory and should be changed.
“Yes, I do think we should change the policy. I am not a supporter and I have not been a supporter of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell,’” said Feinstein.
Under the policy, a homosexual may serve in the military as long he does not disclose his sexual orientation. Those who admit their homosexuality can be discharged from the military.
“It should be the same regulation with respect to sexual behavior for heterosexuals and homosexuals,” Feinstein said. “The military should set its rules and they should apply to everyone. Having brave people driven out of the military is not a concept I endorse.”
Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho) told CNSNews.com, “Current policy has served us well. I think we ought to sustain it. I see no evidence that it should be repealed.”
On Sen. Barack Obama’s official presidential campaign Web site, he features an “Obama Pride” section here he states his position on the policy.
Obama’s June 6 statement reads, “Let’s repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ and demonstrate that the most effective and professional military in the world is open to all Americans who are ready and willing to serve our country.”
“We are ready to accomplish these goals because of the courage and persistence of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people who have been working every day to achieve equal rights,” the campaign Web site says.
However, Republican presidential candidate John McCain said he believes the current policy is working and should not be changed.
On March 8, Sen. McCain said, “I don’t think there’s any doubt that there are evolving attitudes in America about many issues, including this one, but every military leader that I talk to, I say, ‘Should we change it?’”
McCain continued: “They say, ‘It’s working.’ And right now we’ve got the best military we’ve ever had -- the most professional, best trained and equipped, and the bravest. And so I think it’s logical to leave this issue alone. I really do.”
Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.), who is one of McCain’s most vocal supporters in Congress but who caucuses with Democrats, told CNSNews.com that he never supported “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and remains opposed to it.
“I didn’t support the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy in 1993, and since then I haven’t changed my mind,” Lieberman said.
“Men and women in uniform should be judged by their conduct, not by their status, and that’s the reason we have the code of conduct in the military.”
Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) told CNSNews.com that the “long-held policy” is “not working” for a lot of people. Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) told CNSNews.com he thinks the decision should be made by military brass.
“What does [Defense Secretary] Gates say?” asked Coburn. “I think that people who are responsible for that ought to develop that policy. I think the people in charge of the military ought to handle that.”