Dems Put Campaign Cash Before National Security

The House voted to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" against the wishes of the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs. Notice the common theme of their objections?

"Secretary Gates continues to believe that ideally the DOD review should be completed before there is any legislation to repeal the Don't Ask Don't Tell law," Defense spokesman Geoff Morell said in a statement. "With Congress having indicated that is not possible, the secretary can accept the language in the proposed amendment."

and

But chiefs of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines have objected. In letters solicited by Senator John McCain of Arizona, the senior Republican on the Armed Services Committee, they urged Congress to delay voting on the issue until after the Defense Department completed its report.

They simply want Congress to wait until the Pentagon has reviewed how it will impact our military readiness.

Why is Congress in such an all-fired rush to pass repeal before we even know how it will affect national security? Simple. The gay rights lobby has made no secret that they are very unhappy with the lack of progress on Don't Ask, Don't Tell and they have threatened to close their checkbooks. The DNC has pledged to raise and spend $50million for Democrats who ignored the people's will and voted for Obamacare. Without the financial backing from the LGBT community, the Democrats will be hard-pressed to raise those funds. In essence, the Democrats are putting their re-elections before the safety and security of Americans. The time-table "With Congress having indicated that is not possible" tells all, the review will be completed on Dec 1, but the elections happen on Nov.2.

Congressional Dems are quick to point out and Peter Orzag confirms that the repeal won't happen immediately. How exactly is the White House budget director an expert on military matters anyway? Just asking.

Budget Director Peter Orszag said Monday the Pentagon would still be able to complete a review to "ensure that the implementation of the repeal is consistent with standards of military readiness, effectiveness, unit cohesion, recruiting and retention." The study is to be submitted to Congress by Dec. 1.

Notice, "the implementation of the repeal", the White House envisions that the Pentagon's review will come to the "correct" conclusion that gay men and lesbians should be allowed to serve openly. It's not clear how the transgendered will be treated in this bill.

As we approach Memorial Day it would be naive and just plain wrong to believe that gays haven't served honorably in our military throughout our history. I'm sure there were gays in Washington's army and Grant's and there are some risking their lives to protect us in Iraq and Afghanistan today. I understand that those in the gay community believe they are fighting for a civil right. But, our national security must come first. The Pentagon should decide, without political pressure from the White House or Congress if it's better to preserve Don't ask, Don't Tell or allow gays to serve openly. By voting to pass repeal now Congress is prejudging and prejudicing the review process. Congress is essentially telling any officer that to oppose repeal is career suicide.

Haven't we learned from the Nidal Hassan affair that political correctness and the military don't mix very well? A look the other way and pray for the best policy implemented while we are fighting two wars could be disastrous. Give the Pentagon time to decide which policy keeps us safest.