New Way Forward on DADT

President Obama was right in the way he handled the attempt to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”.  While, once again, the progressive left may have wanted more decisive action by the president, deferring to Congress was prudent since this policy was legislative in nature.  But now that the Senate has refused to invoke cloture and not allow DADT to come to a final vote, a new way forward on this issue is clear.

The Pentagon study of this issue was unprecedented and conclusive.  The military overwhelmingly supports the repeal of DADT.  Polls repeatedly show that the American people believe in allowing gay people to serve openly in the military.  With all of this evidence in favor of repeal, President Obama should take a page from the Harry Truman playbook and issue an executive order stopping the enforcement of DADT and effectively ending this reprehensible policy.

In the 1940’s, Truman issued an order integrating the military despite overwhelming opposition to integration at that time.  Close to ninety percent of the military, as well as the public, were opposed to the order.  And yet, Truman did it anyway because it was the right thing to do.  The military followed orders, integrated their ranks, and the rest is history.

President Obama does not face those types of obstacles.  He only faces a minority of Senators who are either homophobic or are playing politics with the issue, not wanting to give a victory to the president on anything.  Issuing an executive order ending DADT would not be circumventing the legislative process considering majorities in both Houses of Congress favor repeal.  Only the arcane rules of the Senate stand in the way of allowing majority rule.  Politically, this action would help improve his standing among the progressive base since they repeatedly call for action on this issue as promised during the campaign.  More importantly, President Obama would be doing the right thing for the military and for the nation.