CNN poll: ’78 percent of the public supports allowing openly gay people to serve in the military’

78 percent. That’s amazingly strong support. But, here in DC, repealing DADT is a considered a controversial issue. And, the White House couldn’t just push for the often promised repeal. Nope. The White House had to concoct a complicated compromise that, according to Richard Socarides offers a “conditional future repeal.” That’s what we get from our “fierce advocate.”

78 percent:

Most Americans say people who are openly gay should be allowed to serve in the U.S. military, according to a new national poll.

A CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Tuesday indicates that 78 percent of the public supports allowing openly gay people to serve in the military, with one in five opposed.

“Support is widespread, even among Republicans. Nearly six in ten Republicans favor allowing openly gay individuals to serve in the military,” says CNN Polling Director Keating Holland. “There is a gender gap, with 85 percent of women and 71 percent of men favoring the change, but support remains high among both groups.”

So, why all the angst at the White House and on Capitol Hill? I just don’t get it.

Repealing DADT is a winning political issue. It should be anyway.

We still have no idea when the discharges will stop. (No one can actually answer that question.) So, we’ll be probably be fighting to make that happen for a long time. But, we have a wide majority of the public on our side.

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