West Virginians: Your New Senator Must Lead!

Newly elected Senator Joe Manchin [D-WV] voted against the Senate repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," supposedly because, "as a Senator of three weeks, [he had] not had the opportunity to visit and hear the full range of viewpoints of the citizens of West Virginia."

Well, Senator Manchin, one of your constituents, Pepe Johnson [video @ 2:09] of Clarksburg, a member of the West Virginia Army National Guard and a combat veteran, looks forward to meeting with you in the very near future to educate you, not only on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," but also on your leadership responsibility as an elected Senator to make decisions on the future of our nation.

Here's more from Senator Manchin's Statement:

“Furthermore, while I may disagree with a repeal of DADT at this time, some believe that President Obama, as Commander-in-Chief, if he so chooses, has the authority to suspend discharges under DADT, if he deems it a matter of national security. In fact, I asked this question during the second day of hearings on the repeal of DADT. If this is correct, and the President was to make such an order, while I may disagree with it, I would respect his authority as President to do so.”

Excuse us, Senator Manchin, but you seem to have forgotten the U.S. Constitution, which YOU swore to support and defend when YOU were sworn in as a United States Senator less than a month ago.

Please take a look at Article I, Section 8, which includes among the Powers of Congress, "To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces." This is the basis for Congressional enactment of 10 U.S.C. Section 604, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and on which the Executive Branch has defended the law in the Federal Courts.

Sorry, Senator Manchin, but you cannot shirk your obligations and delegate - even to the President - YOUR power and authority to do YOUR JOB, which the citizens of West Virginia just elected YOU to do.

Senator Manchin, we are confident that you will rise to the occasion once your constituents - THIS WEEKEND - have educated you, both on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and on YOUR responsibilities as their Senator.

Don't wimp out. Thank you very much.