The key background issue to think about here with the looming DADT vote is how much the real issue is here is DADT repeal versus getting the START treaty passed. Which goes first and which there’s time to get passed.
It’s really not clear to me that it has to be one of the other. But that’s the chatter.
Lieberman says DADT should come first. The White House is very, very, very focused on getting the START Treaty passed. The truth is that they’re both very important. And both probably have to go through in this Congress, though arguably START has more of a shot next year than DADT repeal. Again, though, there are three more weeks before the next Congress gets sworn in. I’m not convinced there’s only time for one.
