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.
What? Based on a phony and agenda driven poll.
Duckworth's campaign is being run by the DNC/Rahm Emmanual/Durbin/Daley machine.
She backpeddled from her true position faster than bill clinton zeros in on an intern.
Duck's goose is cooked with the gays?
No WAY that 78% of Americans want gays serving in the military...that;s a lie.
There has NEVER been 78% support...don no tbelieve that.
Rahm Emmanuel and The Dick Durbin are devils EVERYWHERE!!
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