disgusting

Senate Votes 57-40 To Keep Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Alive And Well. So How About A Separate Vote?

In a 57-40 vote, the Senate failed to reach the necessary 60 votes move to block Republican opposition to debate (and vote on) the National Defense Authorization Act (aka the Pentagon’s spending bill), which had DADT repeal language attached. Democrats will point the fingers at Republicans (but not Susan Collins, who voted for the bill). Republicans will point the fingers at Democrats (but not Joe Manchin, who voted against it) for not giving them enough time for open debate. And then everyone will say it’s Harry Reid’s fault. And also the Human Rights Campaign, because that Joe Solmonese promised you! But here’s something interesting: Sens. Joe Lieberman and Susan Collins are telling the media right now they’ll hold a separate, standalone vote on repeal that won’t be attached to the NDAA. You know, because the sixty votes are there, but not here. It’s like whack-a-mole, but with people’s lives.

UPDATE: Obama is upset, y’all! The man prone to caving to conservatives even when it means the most needy people get the shaft is going to start blaming others when he only truly took up the DADT cause, like, yesterday: “I am extremely disappointed that yet another filibuster has prevented the Senate from moving forward with the National Defense Authorization Act. Despite having the bipartisan support of a clear majority of Senators, a minority of Senators are standing in the way of the funding upon which our troops, veterans and military families depend. This annual bill has been enacted each of the past 48 years, and our armed forces deserve nothing less this year. A minority of Senators were willing to block this important legislation largely because they oppose the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ As Commander in Chief, I have pledged to repeal this discriminatory law, a step supported by the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and informed by a comprehensive study that shows overwhelming majorities of our armed forces are prepared to serve with Americans who are openly gay or lesbian. A great majority of the American people agree. This law weakens our national security, diminishes our military readiness, and violates fundamental American principles of fairness, integrity and equality. I want to thank Majority Leader Reid, Armed Services Committee Chairman Levin, and Senators Lieberman and Collins for all the work they have done on this bill. While today’s vote was disappointing, it must not be the end of our efforts. I urge the Senate to revisit these important issues during the lame duck session.”

Notice how he doesn’t say “Republicans” once?

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