Senate Repeals DADT: 65-31; West Virginia's Joe Manchin was AWOL

That's the final vote and the big hurdle. Some time will be required for the details, but SLDN's Aubrey Sarvis says the Obama Administration should do its part in the first quarter of 2011.

Operation Yellow Elephant salutes Democratic Senators, including Jim Webb [VA], and those Republicans with the courage and integrity to do the right thing for our troops and our country: Scott Brown [MA], Richard Burr [NC], Susan Collins [ME], John Ensign [NV], Mark Kirk [IL], Lisa Murkowski [AK] Olympia Snowe [ME] and George Voinovich [OH].

Let's not forget West Virginia's new Democratic Senator, Joe Manchin, who didn't show up, claiming a long-planned family event. Well, Senator Manchin, there are times when the national leadership responsibility YOU sought trumps even family concerns. We're disappointed, as are all West Virginians. If you had the courage of your convictions and showed up to vote No, we would still respect you for at least considering the issue and making a decision, even if it wasn't what we wanted.

Our first Yellow Donkey is West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin!

Update: Senator Manchin apologized for missing the DADT and other votes.