The conservative Washington Times (which is a good source of news on, well, Washington conservatives) reports that Sen. John McCain will not filibuster against the repeal of don't ask, don't tell. "The fact that Mr. McCain will not filibuster means repeal is all but certain, although Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has latitude on the timeline," according to the paper.
The decision not to filibuster drops the number of needed votes down to a simple majority of 51. That Republicans are caving shows that despite some primary posturing (McCain is in a tight race with a more conservative opponent), they know which way the wind is blowing.
4 Comments for “No DADT Filibuster”
posted by Jorge on
Eh. Who can tell with McCain?
posted by Tom on
Exactly.
After gays and lesbians have won over the people on an issue, as we have DADT repeal, we can expect Republicans to confine themselves to “posturing” for the benefit of social conservatives.
Even John McCain has the sense not to try to fight the American people and the military in an election year. The fight against DADT is a loser, and whatever else there is to say about McCain — my view is that of my very conservative Texas mother-in-law, “He ain’t much …” — he isn’t a total fool. You won’t find McCain pulling a Joe Barton.
I suspect that we’ll see more “posturing” — talking the talk but not delivering — as gays and lesbians slowly but surely bring the American people over to our side on other issues.
Moving in that direction will help the GOP defuse its “anti-gay, all the way” image over the years, in much the same way that Republican inaction on abortion has softened the GOP’s image problem in that arena.
The problem with “posturing”, though, is threefold:
First, “posturing” won’t bring the Republican Party to constitutional conservatism. The GOP should be championing equality in the way that Ted Olson and other constitutional conservatives are beginning to do, instead of “posturing” in opposition but delivering nothing.
Second, “posturing” will keep the Democrats as the only game in town for gays and lesbians, because it will be Democrats, not Republicans, who are willing to enact legislation fostering equality. And that means that the shape of the legislation will be liberal rather than conservative. The picture could be quite different if Republicans returned to constitutional conservative principles. Constitutional conservatives have a clear vision of equality, a vision that is differently shaped than the liberal view, and that vision will be lost if the Republican Party contents itself with “posturing”.
Third, “posturing” will put the Republican Party in a position that is out of step with the majority of Americans on the issue of equality, forcing Republicans to play a “[whisper] we don’t really mean it [whisper]” game of political catch-up.
I know I sound like a broken record, Stephen — as much as you, I guess — but it is long past the time when gay and lesbian Republicans begin to come out of hiding and start demanding that the Republican Party begin to champion equality, holding politicians’ feet to the fire. Don’t wait for liberal gays and lesbians, or the HRC, to do it for you. It won’t happen.
posted by Brian Miller on
After gays and lesbians have won over the people on an issue, as we have DADT repeal, we can expect Republicans to confine themselves to “posturing” for the benefit of social conservatives.
Not to mention watch gay Republican partisans insist that the GOP’s posturing is OUR fault.
posted by avee on
Gee, Brian, if you hate this forum so much, I can’t imagine why you hang out here. Oh, the joy of being able to insult the blogger. Get a life!