Obama: Joint Chief Screening Will Not Include Opposition to 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

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Obama: Joint Chief Screening Will Not Include Opposition to 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

April 10, 2008 8:15 AM

ABC News' Sunlen Miller Reports: Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama says that while he's for eliminating the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy that allows gay Americans to serve in the military if they keep quiet about their sexual preference he would not require his Joint Chief of Staff to oppose it as well.

"I would never make this a litmus test for the Joint Chief of Staff," Obama said in a Monday interview with The Advocate. "Obviously, there are so many issues that a member of the Joint Chiefs has to deal with, and my paramount obligation is to get the best possible people to keep America safe.

The interview with the gay and lesbian newsmagazine comes at a time when Obama has been criticized for not speaking to the gay media, most notably not making himself available for an interview with the Philadelphia Gay News, who recently ran a half-blank front page to protest the Illinois senator's continued "disrespect" of LGBT issues by not granting them an interview. (The Philadelphia Gay News ran the blank space next to an interview with Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y.)

In his interview with the The Advocate, Obama continued, "I think there's increasing recognition within the Armed Forces that this is a counterproductive strategy...we're spending large sums of money to kick highly qualified gays or lesbians out of our military, some of whom possess specialties like Arab-language capabilities that we desperately need."

"That doesn't make us more safe," Obama said, "What I want are members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who are making decisions based on what strengthens our military and what is going to make us safer, not ideology."

Obama was also asked about Donnie McClurkin, the formerly gay minis

He was asked about Donnie McClurkin, the formerly gay minister slated to sing the gospel at Obama events in South Carolina last year.

Obama invoked another controversial man of God in his response -- his former pastor Rev. Jeremiah Wright -- to say "nobody is going to be perfectly aligned with my views."

Obama says though Wright "offended a whole huge constituency with some of his statements" his longtime spiritual adviser is "very good on gay and lesbian issues."

Wright, Obama said, is "one of the leaders in the African-American community of embracing, speaking out against homophobia, and talking about the importance of AIDS. And so nobody is going to be perfectly aligned with my views."

Obama suggested to Advocate readers to expect a "range of constituencies" on the issues as he reaches out "beyond the traditional Democratic base".

"What I hope is that people take me for who I am, for what I've said and for what I've displayed in terms of my commitment to these issues, but understanding that there's going to be a range of constituencies that I'm reaching out to and working on issues that we have in common, even though I may differ with them on other issues."

April 10, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (159)

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This guy is such a player - what is this guy still quoting "Wright". Down with Obama! He has not addressd the gay community until he got pressed to do so. As a gay professional male - I will not support Obama.

Posted by: Donna | Apr 10, 2008 8:58:59 AM

Everybody remember that "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is not just some arbitrary Pentagon Policy. It is Law, passed by a Democratic House, passed by a Democratic Senate, and signed by a Democratic President in 1993.

So, when Nancy Pelosi starts bashing Republicans with it, tell her to pull her head out.

Posted by: DADT | Apr 10, 2008 9:05:06 AM

I agree it should not be a litmus test. But i also belive that DONT ASK DONT TELL SHOULD BE OFF THE BOOKS. WHAT BUSINESS IS IT OF ANYONE WHAT YUR SEXUAL PREFRENCE IS? IT SHOULD NOT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE TO ANYONE IF YOU ARE STRAIGHT OR HOMOSEXUAL
THAT DOES NOT EFFECT HOW YOU DO YOUR JOB.
I also believe that they ( Gays ) should have every one of the RIGHTS that i have. It should not be illegal for Gays to Marry.
GOD created us all!!!

Posted by: Lauren | Apr 10, 2008 9:05:51 AM

This is what all Americans should want.

Posted by: Lauren | Apr 10, 2008 9:09:45 AM

CORRECTION TO MY POSTING OF 9:14 THIS MORNING - THE LAST LINE OF MY BLOG SHOULD READ

I AM TOTALLY "OUT" OF HIS CAMP- I WILL NEVER EVER VOTE FOR OBAMA.

Posted by: MIke South Hampton | Apr 10, 2008 9:22:34 AM

I realize that the Clintons have a lot of controversies but they were always there for the gay community and not waited until it was safe to take a stand on these issues

Then explain to me why they did not propose EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL? THERE SHOULD BE NO DONT ASK DONT TELL.
PLEASE ALL AMERICANS SHOULD HAVE
ALL RIGHTS AFFORDED TO THEM INCLUDING GAY MARRIAGE.

DONT TELL HOW WILL THE SERVICE MEMBERS
PUT THEIR INSURANCE TO THEIR PARTNER WITH OUT TELLING? GET REAL
EQUAL RIGHTS.
EQUAL RIGHTS,.

Posted by: Lauren | Apr 10, 2008 9:26:34 AM

Now he is equating a Gospel singer with Wright?

Posted by: geevill | Apr 10, 2008 9:34:01 AM

Barack and Hillarys Camp

we want and deserve equal rights as Americans no more sitting on fences and giving ( little platitudes ) pass an Equal Rights Amendment For ALL.
Stop worrying about your Political Life and worry about all your constituents.

Americans should be according to our Constitution Equal rights For all.

Posted by: Lauren | Apr 10, 2008 9:37:33 AM

I know in the political world especially when out stumping for votes,
you ( politician's ) it is considered dangerous to push for equal rights and Gay Marriage.. afraid of losing votes .
But Make a stand .stop worrying if you will lose a few votes .
have a spine.
even thou people might not agree with you . all people have learned that we do not have to agree with everything our politicians views.

to vote for them.

Posted by: Lauren | Apr 10, 2008 9:46:28 AM

Good answers Obama. Not everybody that is going to be at any candidate's events are going to be perfectly aligned with that candidate's views.

Check out Bill and Hillary. They don't have the same views on everything and people don't expect that.

I also agree that the "Don't ask, don't tell" should not be a litmus test.

Posted by: Maritza | Apr 10, 2008 9:46:41 AM

Michealin Philly
good for you.
I agree Barack all the way to the White house

Posted by: Lauren | Apr 10, 2008 9:48:37 AM

DONT ASK DONT TELL MEANS...BE ASHAMED OF WHO YOUR ARE.
EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL AMERICANS
EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL AMERICANS

STAND UP AND BE COUNTED FOR YOUR BELEIFS DO NOT HIDE WITH GIVE US A LITTLE.
GIVE US THE SAME RIGHTS STRAIGHTS HAVE.

Posted by: Lauren | Apr 10, 2008 9:52:39 AM

Nice answers, it is none of anyones business what you do behind closed doors.Don't flant it.Do your job.This is like none of your business which church I go to as long as I go what the hey is it of yoursssssssssss.Some of you people hate big time don't you????SAD>>>>>>

Posted by: h | Apr 10, 2008 9:53:51 AM

As a lifelong democrat I am shocked at what our party has become... we have 2 very polarizing and divisive candidates...O bama on race and age and hillary on gender.... Just when I thought that we will finally take the whitehouse back ... I now have my doubts

Posted by: Nick | Apr 10, 2008 10:10:11 AM

Seah, you don't know what you're talking about. Unless you're gay, you can't even argue that you do.

Posted by: emily | Apr 10, 2008 10:11:02 AM

Jordon- "The Clintons Have always supported the gay community." Are you kidding? Bill Clinton is the one who signed the Don't Ask Don't Tell bill in the first place.

Posted by: Lorraine | Apr 10, 2008 10:11:34 AM

LORRAINE,

PLEASE READ UP ON THINGS - READ WHY BILL CLINTON - PUT THE DON'T ASK DON'T TELL POLICY IN PLACE.

HE HAD SO MUCH OPPOSITION FROM THE MILITARY AND THE REPUBLICANS THAT THIS WAS HIS ALTERNATE PLAN - BECAUSE OF THE OF IGNORANCE AND BIGOTORY OF THE EARLY 90'S AND YES NOW MAYBE A TIME TO REVISIT THIS ISSUE - THANKS FOR YOUR INPUT THOUGH.

Posted by: Jordan- | Apr 10, 2008 10:16:14 AM

You know it should be against the law to use that many negatives to describe a single position.

NOT AGAINST OPTING OUT OF DO NOT ASK DO NOT TELL

So is that 4 negatives or 5 negatives because if its 4 then Obama is neutral on pro gay or is it anti gay legislation in the military.

If its five negatives then is he against this legislation and is the legislation pro gay or anti gay?

You see the whole thing is very confusing.

Intentionally no doubt.

It's called subterfuge right! Same old Obama or is it bamboozled.

Posted by: s.b. | Apr 10, 2008 10:28:16 AM

In this day and age, especially with internet technology, there is no excuse for ignorance.

READ PEOPLE, READ.

Posted by: LA in Indiana | Apr 10, 2008 10:29:09 AM

I am so tired of the mindless mindset of those jumping on the "Barack Bandwagon". This man OPPOSES gay marriage, his racist and homophobic church OPPOSES gay rights [meaning EQUAL rights, not separate rights], he continues to quote his former pastor and align himself with hatred and bigotry. I do not know of one single gay man or women that plans to vote for Barack Obama - we simply do not trust him or respect his prejudice values. Tell us Senator Obama, if "Separate but Equal" laws were not good enough for blacks in the 1950s and 1960s, then why do you propose these same laws for gays?

Posted by: PhillyPaul | Apr 10, 2008 10:29:34 AM

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