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.

DADT Update: the Senate

It's on to the Senate. Senator Scott Brown [R-MA] has announced his support for repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell, joining fellow Republicans Lisa Murkowski [AK] and Olympia Snowe [ME]. Senator Susan Collins [ME] was the only Republican to support repeal December 9.

West Virginia gay veteran Pepe Johnson delivered nearly a thousand petitions to his Democratic Senator, Joe Manchin, yesterday. We thank West Virginians for making their concerns known to their new Senator, and hope he will do the right thing for our troops and our country, which is also the right thing for West Virginians.

Wherever you are, please pick up the phone: 1-202-224-3121.

Senator Manchin [D-WV] tries to explain

Newly elected Senator Joe Manchin [WV] was the only Democratic Senator to vote against repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, in a procedural vote Thursday December 9, 2010.



OYE Comment:

At least Senator Manchin acknowledged not knowing much about the issue. It's time for all people of good will, especially in West Virginia, to educate him on why repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is the right thing to do for our troops and our country.

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.