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OFA Calls On Senator McCain To Stop Opposing Repeal Of DADT

08/19/10-by Bridgette P. LaVictoire
It is going to be McCain versus McCain in the upcoming general election season as Senator John McCain runs against Senator John McCain.  Now, an email from Organizing for America has gone out attacking the current incarnation of Senator McCain for his opposition to repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and even his threat to filibuster a Senate vote on it because he, somehow, believes that doing so will win him points with his Tea Party backers.

Senator McCain had vowed to repeal DADT should, say, General Colin Powell come forward and say that it was time to repeal it; however, his decision to oppose it came after he lost in the general election and became, to some observers, obsessed with opposing President Barack Obama at every turn even if it meant abandoning everything he had been supporting prior to this time.

There are few details about the email except that it is going out to OFA’s Arizona list.  The full House and the Senate Armed Services Committees have already voted on the Murphy Amendment and added them to the Defense Budget Bill.  In essence, McCain will have to filibuster money for the troops if he wants to oppose DADT.

The email states “’Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ isn’t about politics — it’s about discrimination. And when Republicans defend discrimination of any kind, they need to know that their constituents are watching and ready to respond.  Call Sen. McCain at 602-952-2410 now and tell him Arizona supports the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’”

The Defense Budget is expected to be voted upon almost right after the Senate goes back into session in September.  Because it is difficult to politically oppose the Defense Budget, it is unlikely that McCain’s filibuster attempt will work, but the political fall out of his attempt will probably hurt him in the upcoming general election as he tries to retain his seat in November.

The Full Email:

Friend —

We are closer than ever to bringing an end to the discriminatory policy known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

In June, the House of Representatives and the Senate Armed Services Committee voted to repeal the practice — but now Senator John McCain is standing in the way.

He recently blocked action on the repeal, calling it “a betrayal,” “disgraceful,” and “purely a political promise.”

“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” isn’t about politics — it’s about discrimination. And when Republicans defend discrimination of any kind, they need to know that their constituents are watching and ready to respond. If we send Sen. McCain a forceful message, we can make him back down.

Call Sen. McCain at 602-952-2410 now and tell him Arizona supports the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

Senator McCain has not always been opposed to [repealing] “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Until recently, he claimed to defer to military leaders on the issue. But military leaders support repeal, and McCain is still reversing course.

As the President has said, we must end this practice “because it is the right thing to do.” A majority of Americans agree that those who are brave enough to stand up and serve our country deserve to do so openly.

Call Sen. McCain today at 602-952-2410 and tell him to support repeal.

Thank you,

Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America

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