Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) said on MSNBC moments ago that he’s open to repealing the military’s controversial “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy — which prohibits openly gay men and women from serving in the military, and prevents recruiters from asking about sexuality.
Hatch said that members of the military “shouldn’t have to lie about being gay” before acknowledging an argument often touted by opponents of repealing the current policy.
I think a lot of people are concerned that if you do away with the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” that literally then they’ll come back and ask for special rights and preference and privileges that others don’t have. I don’t see that either, so like I say, I just plain to do not believe in prejudice of any kind.
Andrea Mitchell pressed Hatch: would he be willing to vote to change the policy?
“I don’t know about that,” he said. “I’d have to look at it.”
I can see why people on both sides are upset. I just wanna do what’s right.
Mitchell closed the interview by saying she would categorize Hatch as someone who was open to changing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
“I am,” he said.
Here’s the video:
