Biden Talks DADT With Larry King

Vice President Joseph Biden spoke with Larry King, who asked Biden to "simplify" the reason why the White House continues to defend a policy in court that President Barack Obama, Biden, and the majority of Americans and now even troops appear to oppose.

"This is complicated for people to understand and I don't blame them," said Biden on the Thursday night program on CNN. "Congress passed a policy it has not repealed yet. The president cannot sign it away. What the president can theoretically do is tell the Justice Department to breach what is the understanding that all Justice Departments have: Justice Departments are obliged to defend laws constitutionally passed by the United States Congress and signed by former presidents."

"He has to defend it for now," said Biden.

The vice president spoke as prospects seemed to brighten for "don't ask, don't tell" repeal during the lame duck session of Congress. On Thursday Senator Joseph Lieberman announced that 60 votes existed to repeal the policy so long as there was a guarantee of a "fair and open" amendment process.