It’s bad form to admit this since our job is to bring clarity but the truth is that the DADT repeal negotiations are pretty opaque — even to many staffers on the Hill. Here’s what we think we know: It appears at this point that a focus of repeal proponents is Susan Collins. She’s long been known to be a key senator in the debate, but securing her sign off on moving forward is now a critical step in avoiding a filibuster later tonight.
Beyond that what remains especially unclear is whether there are other roadblocks beyond Collins that may have to be resolved, too. It looks like a case where everyone understands DADT repeal is not going to happen without Collins — but that’s not the same as saying that it will for sure happen with her. Stay tuned.
