Rachel Maddow calls out Log Cabin Republicans on their Foolishness

Rep. Patrick Murphy talks about Obama's role in ending DADT

In an interview with Washington Blade, Rep. Patrick Murphy spoke about DADT, the study and the role the Obama Administration will play in ending this foolish law.

Here's some of the interview:

Blade: Do you think President Obama has been engaged in getting the Senate to move forward with “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal in lame duck?
Murphy: Um, uh, yes.

Blade: What evidence do you see of him doing that?
Murphy:  Well, I think there’s different levels of engagement and, I think, once the report comes out, I think we’ll see the full spectrum of that engagement.

Blade: During a recent press conference, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs didn’t identify “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal as among the legislative items the president wants to see in lame duck. Is that of concern to you?
Murphy: I think they were waiting for the report to come out. The report is days away from coming out officially — and not just excerpts of it that we’ve all read.

Blade: Is there anything more right now that the president could be doing to get the Senate to move forward with “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal?
Murphy: I think once the report comes out we’ll see the full spectrum of engagement from — and the appropriate amount of engagement from the White House once that report comes out from his own Department of Defense.

Blade: Do you think Defense Secretary Robert Gates right now is being engaged in getting the Senate to move forward with the defense authorization with “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal?
Murphy: I look forward to Gen. [Carter] Ham’s testimony on Thursday.

Blade: But do you think Secretary Gates is engaged?
Murphy: I look forward to Gen. Ham’s testimony on Thursday.

Blade: Do you think that this process — having a year-long study to examine “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” — was the appropriate way to address the issue? Do you think it jeopardized legislative efforts for repeal by leaving only a small window open for action in lame duck?
Murphy: Well, I think the premise behind the study was that — how we’re going to implement “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” [repeal], not if we’re going to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” So, I think it’s interesting — to read that report and how we’re going to implement it.

But the reality of this is I think that we have time to act. We all serve until Jan. 3, and we need to get out there.

Please go the WB for more

My Take of the Midterm Elections

So things are slowing down from the drama of last night. The GOP have the House and the DEMS held on to the Senate. But I wanted to share my take of things, please feel free to share as well:

• The losses were not as bad as many thought they would be. Many of the seats were picked up in places where they were expected to, such as Kentucky, Florida and Minnesota.
• This will make the Obama administration tougher and stronger in their fight to make change.
• The Tea Party winners are inexperienced and it will show in the next two years. They will learn that their agenda will not be on the forefront.
• The Exit Polls shows that young people didn't come out, but folks without college degrees, White males and seniors made a hit at the voting booths. see here
• I really believe that some voters put race/racism ahead of their own interest. The Tea Party movement basically voted against their own interest because of Obama.
• The Exit Polls did not speak about LGBT community, so the LGBT anger party didn't make a big appearance last night.
• We hit it big in California, thanks to a large turn out of Latino voters.
• The Black vote was down for midterms.
• The lack of understanding of the stimulus plan and health care, drove folks to the booths.
• The Tea Party major players loss, but the smaller ones won. Is that a good thing or something to look out for.
• We loss 2 strong fighters, Alan Grayson in FL and Patrick Murphy.
• The Progressive movement has been challenged and I'm not sure what's in store.
• In an interesting turn of events more minorities in the GOP won seats and more LGBT peeps won seats as well.
• And finally, I think we will see the Obama we voted for.

Rep. Patrick Murphy loses Seat

We lost a strong LGBT fighter. Patrick Murphy lost his seat to Michael Fitzpatrick, who actually held the seat before.

Patrick fought for the repeal of DADT. His efforts won't be in vain.

Thank you, Patrick for all the work you have done.