“Has this policy been ideal? No, it has not,” McCain said.
“But it has been effective,” he said.
Homosexuality has never been openly tolerated in the US military, and the 1993 policy was intended to be a compromise that let gay men and women serve so long as they stayed silent about their sexuality. Clinton had wanted to repeal the ban entirely, but the military and many in Congress argued that doing so would dangerously disrupt order.
Repealing the ban would take an act of Congress, something that does not appear close to happening.
Since ‘don’t ask, don’t tell” was established, much has changed.
Five states and the District of Columbia have adopted laws permitting marriage of gay couples, while nine other states have granted similar rights to gay domestic partners.
The public’s attitude toward gays and lesbians also has undergone a significant shift. A Pew poll last year indicated that 59 percent of Americans favor allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military, up from 52 percent in 1994.
<<<< On Tuesday, several Democratic senators praised Mullen and Gates for what they said was courageous stance, but a number of Republicans spoke strongly against the idea of a repeal. Gates drew unusually pointed criticism from Republicans on the Senate Armed Services Committee for saying the review would examine how, not whether, to repeal the ban. Arizona Senator John McCain, the top Republican on the panel, icily told Gates he was disappointed in his position and suggested the Pentagon was usurping Congress’ job. “Has this policy been ideal? No, it has not,” McCain said. “But it has been effective,” he said. <<< Tuesday’s session gave Obama high-level cover on a divisive social issue complicated by the strains on an all-volunteer military force fighting two wars. Gates, who says he is a Republican, is the only member of former President George W. Bush’s Cabinet whom Obama asked to stay on. He has gained a reputation for both candor and caution. Mullen’s words were a forceful endorsement from a careful man, and his very appearance, starched uniform and four stars on view, made a statement as well. Mullen said it was his sense that rank-and-file troops would support the change. “I have served with homosexuals since 1968,” Mullen said in response to questions from Republican Sen. Sessions. “There are a number of things cumulatively that get me to this position.” ___ Associated Press writers Laurie Kellman in Washington, Kevin Maurer in Wilmington, North Carolina, and Russ Bynum in Savannah, Georgia, contributed to this report. AP-TK-03-02-10 0305GMT
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