February 2, 2010
Updated
DADT, Rachel Maddow, Lt Dan Choi, Lt Col Fehrenbach, Sen McCain, Secy Gates, Adm Mullen, questioning
Rachel Maddow Show
Clips of various comments. Ends with Adm Mullen saying in no uncertain terms that it’s not about command influence – it’s about leadership – which he takes very seriously. I no longer have doubts about Adm Mullen’s convictions. In fact, I believe he and Secy Gates have shown more conviction than barry.
Sen McCain Hardball 2006:
The day the leadership of the military comes to me and says,’Senator, we ought to change the policy’ then I think we ought to consider seriously changing it. Because those leaders in the military are the ones we give the responsibility to.
*Spokeswoman: Adm Mullen and Secy Gates were speaking as individuals.
ADM MULLEN:
It does go to a fundamental principle with me, which is everybody counts.
And part of the struggle back to the institutional integrity aspect of this – and putting individuals in a position that every single day they wonder whether today’s going to be the day. And devaluing them in that regard just is inconsistent with us as an institution.
I have served with homosexuals since 1968. Senator McCain spoke to that in his statement. Everybody in the military has. And we understand that.
So it is a number of things which cumulatively for me personally get me to this position.
Sen Sessions, for me, this is not about command influence, this is about leadership.
And I take that very seriously.
