Gates Gives Up on Repeal?

Speaking aboard the USS Lincoln in the Arabian Sea on Monday, Defense secretary Robert Gates cast serious doubts on the Senate repealing "don't ask, don't tell" before the end of the lame-duck session.

"I'd have to say I'm not particularly optimistic that they're going to get this done, I would hope that they would," he told sailors aboard the Lincoln, according to The New York Times.

The Advocate reported Monday morning that repeal's chances looked dim.