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Opponents Hit Gillibrand on DADT


NYGOPDADTx390 (Screengrab) | Advocate.com
Bruce Blakeman

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York has been a vocal advocate for repeal of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, and her potential Republican challengers attempted to portray that as “pandering to special interest groups” during a debate Tuesday evening.

The three candidates were asked whether they thought the policy should be repealed and if they believed the military is ready for repeal. Each man yielded to the expertise of the military to decide the question, and one candidate pointedly criticized Gillibrand for her early and high-profile advocacy since being appointed to office last year.

“You need to listen to the military leaders,” said Bruce Blakeman, who unsuccessfully ran for New York City mayor last year. “Give them time. They’ll make the report and then come to judgment. Don’t pander to special interest groups.”

The senate is expected to vote in the coming weeks on the repeal passed by the House in May. The measure provides for repeal of the policy following a Pentagon study.

Watch the debate from NY 1. The discussion on “don’t ask, don’t tell” begins at the 18:00 minute mark.

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Reader Comments
  • Name: Peter Yacobellis
    Date posted: 8/26/2010 11:38:16 AM
    Hometown: New Hyde Park, NY

    Comment:

    The military leaders, notably Admiral Mullen and Secretary Gates have called for the repeal. Who is this guy saying Senator Gillibrand should listen to?

  • Name: Ben
    Date posted: 8/25/2010 9:50:45 PM
    Hometown: NY

    Comment:

    Attacking a candidate for being pro-gay is a losing strategy in a statewide New York election. Most independents and even many republicans support gay rights here. Who on earth is advising these putzes.

  • Name: melvin
    Date posted: 8/25/2010 8:18:05 PM
    Hometown: south dakota

    Comment:

    Senators are in the league of leadership, not followers. Our military is lead by the civilian leadership...aka the president and congress not the other way around. Leadership gives the military orders and they follow them. That is the way it is written to work. The pandering by so called leaders demonstrates a weakness and following their own prejudice. Too bad the many who are deferring to the military culture do not understand that fact.

  • Name: G
    Date posted: 8/25/2010 4:55:14 PM
    Hometown: Rhinebeck, NY

    Comment:

    Gillibrand does not mince her words, she is straightforward and very supportive of our community. She was my Congresswoman from Upstate before becoming Senator, and did a great job. I will vote for her and she has my unconditional trust, support, and gratitude. Ohhh, I forgot, she can be as tough as nails.

  • Name: Mark
    Date posted: 8/25/2010 2:43:23 PM
    Hometown: WF

    Comment:

    What a "surprise," the Republicans hate gay people and believe the US Constitution's guarantee of equal civil rights doesn't pertain to us. The Republicans/Tea Party/Nazi Party/Fox News/Clear Channel/Fundamentalist Christians will lose this fight, since 70% of Americans want DADT repealed.

  • Name: Hank
    Date posted: 8/25/2010 2:04:23 PM
    Hometown: NYC

    Comment:

    I still find it funny that they asking the military rank and file anything - did they do a survey to go to war? accept women? become racial integrated? Of course, the repuglicants will try to use any hot button issue to win more votes - and point the finger at the other side .

  • Name: ALAN
    Date posted: 8/25/2010 1:01:10 PM
    Hometown: DUNNELLON, FL

    Comment:

    And the republicants aren't “pandering to special interest groups” also. But their's are big money...so it doesn't actually count then.



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