Posted on 08/12/2006 6:25:15 PM PDT by Dane
Duckworth queried on don’t ask, don’t tell
By Eric Krol Daily Herald Political Writer
Posted Thursday, August 10, 2006
Democratic 6th Congressional District candidate Tammy Duckworth is at odds with two national gay rights groups over whether she supports repealing the military’s don’t ask, don’t tell policy.
The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network put out a news release Wednesday praising Duckworth for supporting legislation that would repeal the ban on letting gays and lesbians openly serve in the military.
But a campaign spokeswoman said Duckworth doesn’t support the legislation.
“I think she only supports a repeal (of the ban) if it was deemed appropriate by military commanders of the armed forces,” Duckworth spokeswoman Christine Glunz said after the Daily Herald told her about the release. “The press release is incorrect.”
But Steve Ralls, the organization’s spokesman, said the group based its news release on a statement Duckworth gave to the Human Rights Campaign.
“When I was serving in Iraq, it made no difference to me what the sexual orientation of my comrades was. It certainly did not matter to me what the sexual orientation was of the men or women who helped save my life after my Black Hawk helicopter was shot down over Iraq,” Duckworth said in the statement, which her campaign acknowledges is correct. “Any qualified American who is willing to make that kind of sacrifice for our freedom should be free to do so.”
Based on those words — and Duckworth being listed as backing a change to allow gays to serve openly in the military on the Human Rights Campaign’s Web site — “it seemed pretty clear to everyone involved on our side that her statement seemed to be one of support for lesbian and gay service members,” Ralls said.
Not so, according to camp Duckworth.
“Tammy has not expressed strong support for repealing don’t ask, don’t tell,” Glunz said.
Duckworth is running as a moderate in the traditionally Republican 6th District, where some voters might not support such a repeal.
Her opponent, Republican state Sen. Peter Roskam, left no doubt about where he stands.
“My view is keep the current policy,” said Roskam, who backs don’t ask, don’t tell. “In knocking on 5,000 doors, it hasn’t come up.”
Roskam said the flap shows the contrast between his campaign and Duckworth’s.
“I’m talking about local traffic relief and flood control and relationship with local government and my opponent is weighing in on the national liberal social agenda,” he said.
The link to the PR Newswire is below.
Iraq War Veteran Running for Congress Would Allow Gays to Serve Openly in U.S. Armed Forces
I guess Tammy didn't get the memo from the DNC saying that you don't come out with your liberal socialist leanings when running in a conservative district until after the election. Howard Dean and Rahm Emmanuel are probably pulling their hair out.
Also I did a google news search with the keywords "duckworth, don't ask, don't tell" and neither of the big Chicago newspapers(Tribune & Sun-Times) reported this.
Google news search, "duckworth, don't ask, don't tell"
JMO, looks like the big Chicago newspapers wish to keep Ms. Duckworth's political blunder quiet.
Is Duckworth ready for prime time, or is she Busby redux, that is the question.
As for Tammy Duckworth, this certainly doesn't imply much competence on the part of her campaign. The biggest irony is that Don't Ask Don't Tell isn't supported by much of anyone anymore. Around 78% of Americans now support letting gays serve openly, and most of the rest want to go back to the old pre-1993 witch hunt policy.
If that poll is so "true", then why did Ms. Duckworth backpeddle so fast.
People are seing through the use by your kind of phony polls.
My prediction is that in ten years the military will be open to homosexuals. It already seems like it is heading that way (I don't know why I have that feeling but I do). I will retire in five years so I will just pray that the military can handle it's next experience. One more democratic President with a democratic house or senate and it is passed. Just something to ponder and of course I could be wrong but I don't believe I am...sorry to say.
"Don't ass don't smell,just ignore the stench."
In the old days we used to joke about don't drop the soap while showering at isolated sites. Under today's don't ass don't smell policy, the rule applies everywhere. Dropping the soap is okay, but pick it up at your own peril.
Homosexual marriage is losing left and right in states, the homosexual mecca of Provincetown, MA wants to change it's image, and shows like "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" are being cancelled.
And as I said before if letting homosexcuals serve openly in the Armed services is so popular, why did Tammy Duckworth run away and backpeddle so fast.
Wonder if Duckworth has webbed feet for all that backpeddling? ;-)
I actually posted the article.
And IMO, it was the Boston Globe's desperate attempt to spin Provincetown's tourism woes(i.e Provincetown can't survive as a homosexual mecca).
Also if antiguv's assertion is true, how come Tammy Duckworth backpeddled faster than bill clinton finding the nearest intern office.
I know you posted it, that's why I referred to the main gist of the artice.
Torie, I was at one of her speeches, she is a terrible orator. Her biggest problem besides out of state fundraising, is her allegiance to Chicago Machine Democrats. Roskam will win by 5 to 8%
Henry Hyde is still a saint in this district. his endorsement and campaigning for Roskam makes this a GOP lock. Rahm Emanuel and Dick Durbin are the Devil in this area.
It's been polled amongst members of the US military and in recent years the figure is in the low to mid 40s. Duckworth isn't running for Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, though.
It would be the first time on FREEPERS that I would be proud to be wrong! lol.
"It's been polled amongst members of the US military and in recent years the figure is in the low to mid 40s. Duckworth isn't running for Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, though."
Duckworth doesn't have to live with that BS. It's one thing to be a napkin folder in uniform, it's another thing to be someone who has to face life in the chit. I've known hundreds of combat-trained military over the past 25 years, and its rare...very rare...to find someone who doesn't reject the idea of normalizing homosexuality in the military.
Well, my only point is that Duckworth's handling of the issue strikes me as politically incompetent. As for the policy itself, I doubt it'll change anytime soon, so I don't even bother thinking much about it one way or the other.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.