Lieberman To Introduce Senate Bill To Repeal DADT

Well, looks like things are getting serious about the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," the military's exclusionary policy on openly gay or lesbian officers serving their country. The blogs are a abuzz with the news that Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT) will be serving as the lead sponsor of the United States Senate bill to repeal the policy.

Lieberman issued an official statement on DADT today:

“I will be proud to be a sponsor of the important effort to enable patriotic gay Americans to defend our national security and our founding values of freedom and opportunity. I have opposed the current policy of preventing gay Americans from openly serving in the military since its enactment in 1993. To exclude one group of Americans from serving in the armed forces is contrary to our fundamental principles as outlined in the Declaration of Independence and weakens our defenses by denying our military the service of a large group of Americans who can help our cause. I am grateful for the leadership of President Obama to repeal the policy and the support of Secretary Gates and Chief of Staff Admiral Mullen.”

Many people think that by having Lieberman, who caucuses with the majority Democrats but who most definitely is NOT a Democrat, be the lead sponsor of ending this policy makes it more likely it will actually happen this year, as many have insisted.

We'll see.