Posted on 12/17/2008 5:44:09 PM PST by melt
Some top retired military leaders and some Democrats in Congress are backing William White, chief operating officer of the Intrepid Museum Foundation, to be the next secretary of the Navy - a move that would put the first openly gay person at the top of one of the services.
The secretary's job is a civilian position, so it would not run afoul of the ban on gays serving in the military, but it would renew focus on the "don't ask, don't tell" policy as President-elect Barack Obama prepares to take office.
"He would be phenomenal," said retired Gen. Hugh Shelton, who was chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1997 to 2001, pointing to Mr. White's extensive background as a fundraiser for veterans' and military causes.
Retired members of the Joint Chiefs have contacted Mr. Obama's transition team to urge them to pick Mr. White, and members of Congress said he would be a good choice for a service secretary.
"He's very capable," said Rep. Jerrold Nadler, New York Democrat, whose district includes the Intrepid Museum, a retired aircraft carrier berthed on the Hudson River in New York City.
Mr. Nadler said Mr. White has become a friend of the military, and particularly the service members and their families, both through the Intrepid and through Fisher Houses, which offer a place to stay so families can be close to military members who are receiving medical care.
A spokeswoman for the Obama campaign said they won't comment on personnel decisions.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Sickening.
Time to scrub the “poop deck”
When asked about his temperament, an aid stated he “gravitated toward the stern.”
Hello, sailor...
It seems that the first qualification that the Dems are looking for is GAY. After that his qualifications to be SecNav are pretty weak. Does he know anything about the business of ship construction? Does he know anything about the aerospace industry? Does he manage a major workforce?
No he’s the head of a ship on static display & a fund raiser... big whoop!
This is just affirmative action and some pacification of the gays who voted for Obama. How sad to be appointed head of the Navy because you are gay. Wish these people would get their ‘equality’ straight. I am sure he is good, but give me a break talking about his qualifications.
The gays always think they are the center of attention of course, but they just don't know.
Exactly how does serving as the director of a museum qualify one for the SECNAV job?
Tip to the navy...the zipper goes in front, NOT down the side...that's just plain wardrobe "chummin' for trouble"
what a fathom
LOL
Gay man “broke-backed” for Navy secretary
PINHEADS...ALL OF EM...GRRRRRRR SNARL
He would be good choice. Museum curators are by nature anal retentive types and wouild be a perfect selection to represent all those Navy semen.
LOL!!
Well, one could say that he is just keeping up naval traditions.
Is there anything published on his opinions about rum and the lash?
Even Rush Limbaugh put aside his disdain and voted McCain, the flawed candidate and not preferred choice of most of us, including me.
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