DNC Targets McCain on DADT

Organizing for America, the post-election outgrowth of Obama for America '08, is sending out an e-mail Thursday afternoon that targets Sen. John McCain for his threat to filibuster a Senate floor vote on "don't ask, don't tell" repeal that's expected to happen in September.

OFA exists within the framework of the Democratic National Committee, and a DNC official provided The Advocate with the e-mail in advance of its distribution. Few details about it were available except that it's being sent out to OFA's Arizona list.

The e-mail notes that the full House and the Senate Armed Services Committee have already approved repeal but says McCain is now "standing in the way" and urges voters to call his office in support of repeal.

"'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' isn't about politics -- it's about discrimination. And when Republicans defend discrimination of any kind, they need to know that their constituents are watching and ready to respond," states the e-mail. "Call Sen. McCain at 602-952-2410 now and tell him Arizona supports the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.'"

DADT repeal is attached to the 2011 National Defense Authorization Act, which is expected to be considered shortly after the Senate returns from August recess.

Jim Manley, spokesman for Senate majority leader Harry Reid, told The Advocate earlier this month that the defense funding bill is "among the first things we do when we get back."

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Full text of the e-mail is below:

Friend --

We are closer than ever to bringing an end to the discriminatory policy known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

In June, the House of Representatives and the Senate Armed Services Committee voted to repeal the practice -- but now Senator John McCain is standing in the way.

He recently blocked action on the repeal, calling it "a betrayal," "disgraceful," and "purely a political promise."

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" isn't about politics -- it's about discrimination. And when Republicans defend discrimination of any kind, they need to know that their constituents are watching and ready to respond. If we send Sen. McCain a forceful message, we can make him back down.

Call Sen. McCain at 602-952-2410 now and tell him Arizona supports the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

Senator McCain has not always been opposed to [repealing] "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Until recently, he claimed to defer to military leaders on the issue. But military leaders support repeal, and McCain is still reversing course.

As the President has said, we must end this practice "because it is the right thing to do." A majority of Americans agree that those who are brave enough to stand up and serve our country deserve to do so openly.

Call Sen. McCain today at 602-952-2410 and tell him to support repeal.

Thank you,

Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America