Organizing for America, the DNC’s activism arm, has begin a campaign lobbying for Senate passage of the defense authorization bill, which begins a process leading to repeal of the military’s Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy. The email to OFA supporters includes a pledge site where people can sign on to passage of repeal.

In the email, which you can read on the flip, OFA Director Mitch Stewart says the President is “closer than ever to making good on that promise” made in the 2010 State of the Union address, when he promised to end the discriminatory policy on gay servicemembers. He asked members to help block efforts by Republicans to filibuster the underlying defense authorization bill.

It’s unclear whether much help is needed. In the Senate Armed Services Committee, Democrats picked up the support of Susan Collins (R-ME) in passing the amendment that would lead to repealing DADT. Presumably she would not support a filibuster, so if Democrats held strong they would seemingly have the votes. Jim Webb voted against the repeal amendment in the SASC, but I’m not certain he would join a Republican filibuster of the whole bill, given the rewards for Virginia in the military budget. Anyway, he would be the main target – even usual suspect ConservaDems Ben Nelson and Joe Lieberman support repeal.

The other complicating factor is that OFA is endorsing passage of a bill President Obama may want to veto. As I mentioned last night, the House failed to pass an amendment stripping out funding for a second engine for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Robert Gates and President Obama have vowed to veto the entire bill if this funding, which the Pentagon does not want or need, stays in there. The SASC markup does not appear to have that funding in it, though one would expect an amendment to that effect adding in the funding on the Senate floor. Spencer Ackerman explains how this could still affect the DADT provision:

If the conferees are unable to strip the funding for the engine out, Obama — who last night said repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” would “help make our Armed Forces even stronger and more inclusive” — would have to choose between infuriating his defense secretary or abandoning one of his central promises to a key Democratic constituency.

After Blumenaeur’s amendment failed, Gates’ spokesman, Geoff Morrell, emailed reporters, “We don’t want nor need the extra engine, but this is just one step in a long journey and Secretary Gates is committed to staying engaged in this process the whole way, including if necessary ultimately recommending President Obama veto this legislation.” All eyes will be on the House-Senate conference.

UPDATE: Carl Levin is actually speaking on the SASC markup right now. He downplayed the prospect of a veto. “It’s difficult for me to believe that the President wouldn’t look at the entire bill, and not just one provision.” He cited the prohibition of transfer of detainees from Guantanamo to certain countries, and the cancellation of funding for the Thomson correctional facility in Illinois to house Gitmo prisoners, as things Obama “might not like” but which shouldn’t draw a veto. Levin said “We don’t know the outcome of the second engine, in any event.”

The letter, as promised, is on the flip.

Subject: Keeping the President’s promise
Friend –

This is big news: Yesterday, the full House of Representatives and the Armed Services Committee in the Senate voted to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

In his State of the Union address, President Obama pledged to end the law that denies gays and lesbians the right to serve their country. Now, we are closer than ever to making good on that promise.

The full Senate will soon start its debate on repeal. But some Republicans are digging in their heels. Senator John McCain said, “I’ll do everything in my power” to block a vote. And Mississippi Senator Roger Wicker called the repeal bill “a major mistake” — announcing that the GOP plans to filibuster.

We can defeat those who’d stand in the way of history. But we must show our senators that Americans — in every state — overwhelmingly support repeal.

Stand with the President and join the pledge to end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

From the Recovery Act to health reform to Wall Street reform, one by one President Obama is delivering on his campaign promises. And, now — if we can overcome Republican obstruction — we have a chance to deliver on another: bringing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” to an end.

As the President has said, this is about more than just living up to his word. We must end this law because “it’s the right thing to do.”

Any policy that punishes brave men and women who step forward to serve their country simply for being who they are isn’t just misguided — it’s discrimination.

That’s why President Obama didn’t just campaign on ending “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”; he made it a priority. And it’s why it’s now a matter of how and when — not if — we will repeal this law.

But as the Republicans prepare to block a vote on this historic legislation, we must do all we can to help deliver on the President’s promise.

Add your name to the pledge today — and then please pass it on:

http://my.barackobama.com/RepealDADT

Thanks,

Mitch

Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America