Reply #16: It doesn't take 60 votes. All it takes is Obama's signature. See Post 14--and also see

[No Elephants]

the Constituion of the United States. Obama is Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. Clinton could certainly have put DADT in place all by himself. Instead, Clinton chose to have Congress take care of DADT for him, for political cover.

Obama is doing the same thing, for the same reason--political cover. This does NOT "need" Congress, only the CIC. He could sign an order telling the military not to enforce DADT.

This was a campaign promise and Obama got elected. End of story. He should have signed an executive order on Day One.

Every military career that has ended and every life that has been ruined because of this since his Inauguration Day is his responsiblity. Not Congress's and certainly not the Republicans. And before that, it was Bush's responsiblity. And before that, Clinton's.

From Article II, Section 1

Before he enter on the execution of his office, he shall take the following oath or affirmation:--"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."


From Article II, Section 2

Section 2. The President shall be commander in chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the militia of the several states, when called into the actual service of the United States; he may require the opinion, in writing, of the principal officer in each of the executive departments, upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices, and he shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment. "

End of story.

Truman ended racial segregation in the military with an executive order. Obama could have halted enforcement of DADT the same way.