Comments on: ABC-WaPo Poll: Gays Should Serve Openly in Military

By: AlexM

AlexM — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:05:40 +0000

After reading Larry's comment above (a few times, since he posted it two days ago), I finally decided to hold my nose and check out what she had to say about this. Just as I thought, she is spinning this in her usual manner. The CMR's main website at http://www.cmrlink.org/ has, at the top (at this writing) a link to something new she wrote about this poll, here. I'm getting ready for work, so I don't have time to take it apart, but I'm sure one of our heroes here at BTB can do a full breakdown and analysis long before I get back to my keyboard.

By: cd

cd — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:05:02 +0000

About 24% of the American political spectrum is reactionaries, and they’re more interested in social issues and more ‘Christian’ than anyone else on the Right.

This poll shows that everyone other than them is fine with gays in the military. I don’t think you can get them to approve. The measure for them is that they stop caring and stop pushing, i.e. say they’re undecided.

Over at PollingReport.Com the full ABC/WaPo numbers on the specific question are 75% in favor, 22% opposed, 3% undecided. That basically says the 24% are still uniformly opposed, unfortunately.

Short federal political analysis: there’s no punishment for Democrats to ending DADT- that bloc only votes Republican. Moderate Republicans are on dicey ground but their votes are not needed. Red State Republicans won’t dare go against their base, of course.

By: GDad

GDad — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 13:14:31 +0000

I wonder what the tipping point might be. If 75% of Americans say that LQTBG(etc.) people should serve openly in the military, is that enough to get a majority of Congress to vote on the matter? What if it gets to 80%?

Cynicism… running… high… Must… lie… down….

By: larry

larry — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 22:13:49 +0000

Poor Elaine Donnelly at the Center for Military Manliness is probably clutching her pearls and stomping around the office about now.

By: Devlin Bach

Devlin Bach — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 15:45:27 +0000

When the law is dropped, I do hope retroactivity is honored and that all military personnel effected will be offered a return to their posts and/or military. An apology and fiscal restitution would be pushing it, though I would vote to award treble damages.