Candidates Say 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Policy is Working WASHINGTON, June 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- During a Tuesday evening debate on CNN, the 2008 Republican presidential candidates indicated they would maintain the federal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" ban on lesbian, gay and bisexual service personnel. Speaking in New Hampshire, many of the leading
candidates said they believed the policy "is working," in stark contrast to
remarks on Sunday by Democratic candidates, who unanimously supported
repealing the law.
"I don't think this would be the right time to raise these issues,"
former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani said. Giuliani was joined by Senator
John McCain (R-AZ), who told the audience that "I think it would be a
terrific mistake to even reopen the issue. It is working, my friends. The
policy is working."
Former Governor Mitt Romney (R-MA) acknowledged supporting a repeal of
the law earlier in his career, saying that, "No, actually when I first
heard of the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy I thought it sounded awfully
silly and didn't think that'd be very effective, and I turned out to be
wrong." Today, however, Romney supports maintaining the ban. "It's been the
policy now in the military for, what, 10, 15 years? And it seems to be
working," he said. Congressman Ron Paul (R-TX) and former Governor Mike
Huckabee (R-AK) also indicated support for the law.
"If Republican leaders believe this law is working, then their
definition of 'working' is fundamentally flawed," said Sharra E. Greer,
director of law and policy for Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN).
"As our military struggles to find qualified troops and our fighting forces
are stretched to a near breaking point, turning away talented and skilled
gay Americans is a detriment to our national security. Eight out of ten
Americans understand the importance of repealing 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.'
It is unfortunate that the Republican candidates for president do not. They
are out of touch with their constituents and out of step with our country's
best interests."
Since its implementation 1993, more than 11,000 service members have
been dismissed under the law, including nearly 800 with skills deemed
'mission- critical' by the Department of Defense. More than 300 language
specialists alone have been removed from the services because of "Don't
Ask, Don't Tell." The cost to taxpayers has been estimated at $363.8
million.
"To paraphrase Senator McCain," said Greer, "It is not working, my
friends. The policy is not working."
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http://www.sldn.org.