So the Republican members of the Senate unanimously filibuster the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and Andrew Sullivan responds by absolutely ripping Preisdent Obama and the Democrats:
[T]his president, whose betrayal of and contempt for his gay supporters is now beyond dispute. If I had wanted an administration reeking of fear and cowardice, I would have backed Clinton in the primaries.
Now one can take issue with the tactical timetable that the Administration has used in pursuing this matter -- but the bottom line is the President and the Democratic leadership took repeal to the floor of the Senate and they could not get the support of a single member of the Republican caucus to allow an up or down vote on the bill -- not Olympia Snowe, not Susan Collins, not Richard Lugar, not Lindsey Graham, not John McCain, not lame-ducks like George Voinovich or Robert Bennett -- not a single one of the so-called moderates or grown-ups or reasonable people who are allegedly present on the other side.
And Sullivan -- who long made common cause with these people -- can spare no end of scorn for the President. Strange indeed.
Update: Seriously, Sullivan is embarrassing himself. He's ready to cast a vote for Sharron Angle to be the next senator from the great State of Arizona rather than Harry Reid -- Sully's mistake -- because Reid supposedly hurt the chance for "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal by allowing amendments for the Dream Act and to permit abortions at military facilities. Yes, Angle is nuts he concedes, but better that than be politically calculating. In other words, and as is so often the case with Sullivan, his rights (or rights he deems significant) are entitled to pride of place over those of undocumented immigrants who are serving this country or women soldiers who need a constitutionally protected medical procedure. Tories never have been too good with the whole solidarity thing.
Further Update: I am embarrassed to say I didn't see Jamelle's post making much the same point several hours before me. (In my defense, I am also trying to work.) Jamelle and I had drinks recently -- well I should say I had drinks, he had a drink -- so moderate for one so young. Anyway, he's a very smart guy -- and he seems a lot older and wiser than Sullivan in this case.
