President to call for Don't Ask, Don't Tell repeal

by: Michael Bouldin

Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 20:04:24 PM EST

President Obama will ask Congress Wednesday night to repeal the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy that bars gays and lesbians from openly serving, White House Senior Adviser David Axelrod told CNN.

The request will be included in the president's State of the Union address, Axelrod said.
The issue has been a source of contention for heavy hitters on both sides of the issue, who are lining up for a fight.

In a message to Pentagon leadership, Gen. John Shalikashvili, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said it's time to repeal the law.

"As a nation built on the principal of equality, we should recognize and welcome change that will build a stronger more cohesive military," said Shalikashvili. His letter was sent to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-New York, who supports repealing the policy.

You can watch President Obama's State of the Union address at the White House website.

[Update]: Per NYT:

Gays in the Military | 10:16 p.m. The president also renewed his call to repeal "don't ask, don't tell." He placed a timeframe on it, but it was not exactly clear whether the process would begin or end in 2010. "This year," he said, "I will work with Congress and our military to finally repeal the law that denies gay Americans the right to serve the country they love because of who they are."