Rep. Murphy: Opponents of DADT repeal would support it if not for a politically ‘tough district.’
Rep. Murphy: Opponents of DADT repeal would support it if not for a politically ‘tough district.’
Yesterday at the National Press Club, Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA), an Iraq war veteran, launched a campaign to persuade Congress to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, the policy barring gay men and women from serving openly in the U.S. military. “We cannot afford to wait any longer,” Murphy said. “Now is the time to change this, when our military is stretched so thin.” Last night on MSNBC, host Rachel Maddow asked Murphy if opponents of the repeal in Congress “make good arguments…about the merits of the policy.” “I think that would be a stretch, to be honest with you,” said Murphy, who added that there are many members who say they would support the repeal but won’t because they represent a “tough district”:
MURPHY: I think, you know, sometimes, it’s frankly disheartening. I’ve only been here for 2 1/2 years, but sometimes they give the excuse of, “I can’t do it in my district. I’m in a tough district.” And that’s Republicans and Democrats. They’d be like, “Murph, I would love to be with you.”
“There are members on both sides of the aisle that say, ‘Patrick, I’ll vote for it. I just can’t cosponsor it,’” Murphy later said. Watch it:
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Translation –
Both sides want to keep their cushy jobs instead of doing the right thing.
You know, with all those bennies, PUBLIC healthcare and retirement….
….something most of us don’t have.
July 9th, 2009 at 12:32 pmWhat’s that word for not doing the right thing, out of fear of something?
July 9th, 2009 at 12:39 pmLuis Chapulin M Says:
What’s that word for not doing the right thing, out of fear of something?
Pussy?
July 9th, 2009 at 12:46 pmGovernment?
July 9th, 2009 at 12:48 pmFear is such a powerful thing, isn’t it? We have people who are fearful that allowing gays to serve openly in the military will lead to wild sex orgies in the barracks every night. We have people who are fearful that allowing gays to marry will cause heterosexual marriages to break up and we will all become restroom toe-tappers. And now we have fearful Congresspeople from “tough” districts.
Get a grip, people. In the first place, a majority of Americans favor repealing DADT. And in the second place, the people who wish gays to stay closeted and invisible don’t place that issue at the top of their hit parade (most don’t, anyway). I doubt seriously anybody’s re-election bid will be hurt by this issue alone — even if their opponent runs a lot of ads saying “he voted for (gasp!) TEEEEEEEEEH GAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYY!!”.
July 9th, 2009 at 12:48 pmQuit not naming names. Start outing ‘em, we’ll start donating to their primary opponents. We’ll see how tough their district gets then.
July 9th, 2009 at 12:50 pmSure, I’d vote to end slavery, but I have a tough district.
Of course blacks should be allowed to vote, but it;s my job to yield to bigoted constituents, NOT to uphold the spirit and letter of the Constitution.
I’d be all for going to war against the Nazis, but you know how it is.
I’m fine with it, but then who is going to employ my constituents’ Neo-nazi, criminal and borderline psychotic kids, if not the Army?
July 9th, 2009 at 12:53 pmYep, gotta keep the closeted gay homophobe base happy.
July 9th, 2009 at 12:56 pmSo very proud of MY Congressman Murphy!
PEACE
July 9th, 2009 at 12:57 pmI wish you guys would post about the part of the interview where Murphy argued against Obama doing an end-run around DADT, on separation of powers grounds, arguing that the issue shouldn’t be punted to the judiciary or to the executive.
July 9th, 2009 at 12:57 pm“Someone’s gay son was beaten-up by some bigots in his unit and now he’s been dishonorably discharged and gets no benefits, despite doing two combat tours? Well it’s just a few bad apples, I;m sure”
Later….
“MY Gay son has been beaten up and thrown out of the Army after his patriotic service. I DEMAND the repeal of DADT and to HELL with my ‘tough district’!”
July 9th, 2009 at 12:58 pmPolitical reality is harsh, but Murphy’s got a point. Look at Pennsylvania.
You have a number of Dems (Kanjorski, Murtha, Dahlkemper, Altmire, Carney, Holden) who represent nominally Republican districts. These are blue-collar people who are fairly socially conservative, but trend towards the Dems due to support for labor and against the Iraq War. With war fervor dying down, a culture war issue could swing the seat back to the GOP.
I’m not defending those who vote against the repeal, but it’s political reality.
Better to have someone vote with the Dems 80% of the time than with the GOP 99%.
July 9th, 2009 at 12:58 pm.
R E M E M B E R:
“Tomorrow is zero hour” missed due to DADT.
.
July 9th, 2009 at 12:58 pmYup, this guys a total FAG.
July 9th, 2009 at 1:08 pmA part of leadership is being able to convince people that they are wrong and you are right. Those complaining that they would vote for it, but can’t co-sponsor it, because they are in “tough districts” need to come up with a better excuse than that. If they can’t explain to their constituents why repealing DADT is good for the country, and be persuasive enough, then maybe they don’t belong in Congress in the first place. We need leaders in Congress, not wallflowers.
July 9th, 2009 at 1:10 pmAnd the Regressive child simultaneously pisses his pants in fear of teh gays while fighting back a toe-tapping in the men’s room GOP hard-on.
July 9th, 2009 at 1:11 pmEnnuiDivine Says: Political reality is harsh, but Murphy’s got a point. Look at Pennsylvania.
Rational comment… BUT
Politicians CHOOSE their job, they aren’t DESTINED to it–and it;s not like they can’t quite on principle and then find themselves utterly unemployed and homeless.
And part of their job as members of Congress and the Senate is to serve the NATION, not just their immediate local constituents.
And if GAYS took that same attitude, they’d never join the military because, you know, “the political reality is harsh.”
And don’t forget these same politicians never hesitate to praise the sacrifices of the military–a whole bunch of whom are GAY.
So, the reality is that they are still a bunch of self-serving cowards, only selectively upholding their oaths of office, or they are simply full of $hit, or collectively all of these.
July 9th, 2009 at 1:13 pmThe Young Republican Says:
July 9th, 2009 at 1:13 pmYup, this guys a total FAG.
Says the guy who isn’t man enough to go fight the terrorists over there so we don’t have to fight them here.
Yup, the Young Republican is a total chickensh*t, chickenhawk, chickenfu**er.
July 9th, 2009 at 1:13 pm.
Some people have to be, just HAVE TO BE the bigot…
… Eh, Young one?
.
July 9th, 2009 at 1:14 pmTYR will sign up once his mom stops breast feeding him. You’d think she’d be tired of it after 22 years, but hell, it’s the closest thing to sex for either of them…
July 9th, 2009 at 1:15 pmIm not scared of the gays, but I do want them to be wiped off the planet.
July 9th, 2009 at 1:17 pmTYR, let’s get this straight, Rep Murphy is a veteran who served in a theatre of war, and now is serving his home district in congress. You, on the other hand, have done nothing with your life.
Yet, because he wants to make the military as strong as possible, is open to attack by cowards like you?
July 9th, 2009 at 1:17 pmThe Young Republican Says:
Im not scared of the gays, but I do want them to be wiped off the planet
Then why not let them fight a war you are too cowardly to fight?
July 9th, 2009 at 1:18 pmThe Young Republican Says:
Im not scared of the gays, but I do want them to be wiped off the planet.
I understand, We feel the same about you and your kind…
July 9th, 2009 at 1:19 pmIn case you didn’t notice, TYR, Rep Murphy is an Iraq war vet, he put his country first and put his life on the line. What have you done?
July 9th, 2009 at 1:21 pm.
Dear The Young Bigot,
If you aren’t afraid of me, then what’s in it if I’m wiped off the planet?
.
July 9th, 2009 at 1:21 pmWhat’s the matter. Are you not having any more luck with boys than you did with girls?
July 9th, 2009 at 1:22 pmNont only is the young closetcase to cowardly to join the military, he’s cut and run from this thread. He thinks that in order to win you have to quit. right sarahsuckass?
July 9th, 2009 at 1:22 pm.
Dear The Young Bigot,
You would make a Hitler happy…
.
July 9th, 2009 at 1:23 pmshoeless,
July 9th, 2009 at 1:24 pmShould we tell The Young Bigot that daily showers help…?
Keep in mind folks,
larry craid said Clinton was a dirty dirty boy-Mark Sanford said Clinton’s cheating made him unworthy for office-Newt Gingrich impeached clinton for cheating, while he was cheating-Ensign is a promise keper- etc.
Republicans are what they decrie. We should all pray for the young closetcase to find the courage and come out to the world.
July 9th, 2009 at 1:27 pmDo you realize you are calling for the murder of somewhere in the neighborhood of half a billion people? And that’s not even counting closeted gay homophobic Young Republicans.
July 9th, 2009 at 1:27 pmI know I often reach this conclusion, but I can’t help feeling that TYR is not a genuine troll.
Even trolls are usually more aware of their surroundings and societal expectations than this one. They’re generally at least clever enough to recognize when their own thoughts are too radical for polite society, and they temper them with code words.
Not this one.
Strange, then, that one who can show such bravery (such as it is) on an anonymous blog is so reluctant to serve his nation in uniform.
July 9th, 2009 at 1:29 pmA shower isn’t going to turn him into a human.
July 9th, 2009 at 1:29 pmTYR, Murphy is married with children and served his country. You’re wearing a diaper in your mom’s basement collecting a nickel a post from the RNC so you can go buy a pack of generic cigarettes once a week. No wonder you feel threatened by him, loser.
July 9th, 2009 at 1:30 pmPoliticians make promises during campaigns but when it comes down to the every day nitty gritty and casting votes, they begin to think about retaining their seats. So they make all the campaign promises again so that they can go back to Washington and do the same thing all over again. Ground Hog Day and Deja Vu.
July 9th, 2009 at 1:30 pmdoes TYR REALLY deserve to be fed so well with meaty comments?
These comments go nicely with the one-line racist comments below.
TYR appears to be a child (early teens, or even pre-teen), posting outrageous simple comments to ellicit a response.
This is a site for adults (and intelligent younger people).
Could we NOT feed the useless trolls?
July 9th, 2009 at 1:31 pmShayne, I don’t think TYR can buy cigarettes since they started carding. He’s got to satisfy his craving with the candy variety.
That’s fine with him; they’re cheaper anyway.
July 9th, 2009 at 1:31 pmThe Young Republican Says:
Im not scared of the gays, but I do want them to be wiped off the planet
Will you decide what men shall live, what men shall die? It may be, that in the sight of Heaven, you are more worthless and less fit to live than millions like this poor man’s child.
July 9th, 2009 at 1:32 pm- Charles Dickens in “A Christmas Carol”
As a woman let me say that it wouldn’t help. He wouldn’t get lucky in a woman’s prison with a fistful of pardons. Nobody likes hateful beasts.
July 9th, 2009 at 1:32 pmTYR has already cut and run folks. If we keep responding to his single comment he’s done his job. Let’s move back to Rep Muprhy’s decency and forget the troll.
If we knew who was on the fence we could contact them. How do we find out?
July 9th, 2009 at 1:33 pmralph the wonder locust Says:
Shayne, I don’t think TYR can buy cigarettes since they started carding. He’s got to satisfy his craving with the candy variety.
Man… THOSE things are so damn hard to light….
July 9th, 2009 at 1:34 pmThe list to make is which congress members served and how they vote. I’m sure no veterans would vote against the repeal. Then the Limbaugh pansy types who vote against the repeal need to be pointed out to the whole country.
July 9th, 2009 at 1:34 pmThe Young Republican Says
July 9th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Im not scared of the gays, but I do want them to be wiped off the planet.
__________________________________________________________
You DO realize, don’t you, that “wiping them off the planet” won’t get rid of them? It’s not like eradicating smallpox. The overwhelming majority of gays are born to heterosexuals, who will just continue to give birth to them no matter how many gays you “wipe off”.
This is just to address the lack of practicality in your proposal. I’ll ignore the far more disturbing aspect of your wanting to kill millions and millions of people to satisfy your bigotry.
July 9th, 2009 at 1:35 pmralph the wonder locust Says:
I know I often reach this conclusion, but I can’t help feeling that TYR is not a genuine troll.
That’s what I thought, ralph. There was a parody troll yesterday labeled “Young Republican” without the article but it’s not clear how that same individual could co-opt the existing “The Young Republican” troll. Odd.
July 9th, 2009 at 1:37 pmCageyCretin,
He used the “F” word…
… Had he used the “N” word to describe Obama, would you be silent?
.
July 9th, 2009 at 1:40 pmDoodlebug,
July 9th, 2009 at 1:42 pmBut his boyfriend will thank him for it…
I don’t think he has a boyfriend. Gay men are no less picky than straight women.
July 9th, 2009 at 1:46 pmTwo simple words to discribe the world we live in;WE’RE SCREWED!!!!!
Please tell me why people can’t mind there own business???? Who the Fu** cares if someone is gay or not!!!!
What business is it of your?????? Please tell me!!!!
This world has huge problems and politicans are affraid to do the right thing….once again…WE’RE SCREWED!!!
July 9th, 2009 at 1:46 pmThis attitude is PRECISELY why none of Obama’s plans have passed in their original form. “Moderate” Democrats make so many concessions to the Republicans and corporate lobbyists (one and the same?) because they’re afraid of what their constituents might think. Health care, regulation of Wall Street, DADT… all have received this treatment.
Note to Blue-Dogs and Moderate Republicans (if any exist): Suck it up, grow a spine, vote for the good of Americans, not just your own ill-informed voters. Society is more important than your political careers.
July 9th, 2009 at 1:48 pmThese days, a “moderate” Republican is one that doesn’t have a swastika hanging in his garage.
July 9th, 2009 at 1:55 pm#14: “THE YOUNG REPUBLICAN SAYS: YUP, this guy is a FAG.”
Spoken like a “true” Republican. While American soldiers, men and women are fighting and “DYING”, this “SCUMBAG OF TRASH”, has the nerve to be that “STUPID”.
You will find that 90% of the people who are against Gays serving openly in the Armed Forces, wouldn’t join the Military if you put a GUN to their head.
Since DADT came about, “13,000 SOLDIERS” have been discharged from the ranks of the military, because they admitted to being GAY..
All the while, other soldiers, have been required to go into a “COMBAT ZONE” for as much as 4 tours of duty, if they “LIVE” long enough.
Yet, you have people in this country who won’t join the Armed Forces, but are against Gays serving. (HYPOCRITES)
In the time of WAR, every one who is willing to join, should be allowed to serve their country. It’s a wonder why the “ENEMIES” of the United States, are flexing their muscle all over the world.
A country that excepts people who are “ILLEGALLY in the country to serve in the Armed Forces, but tells a GAY United States Citizen, he or she isn’t good enough to serve, is destined to “FALL”.
It’s a sure bet that the “AL QAEDA, or the TALIBAN”, aren’t kicking their Jihadist out of their ranks if they say they are GAY.
And you wonder how a bunch of “RAGTAG” JIHADIST can fight the “MOST NATION IN THE WORLD”, in 2 countries, for 7 years, and still keep fighting? That same group of fighters, put the USSR in the “POOR HOUSE” , after 10 years, with the help of the United States Government.
Makes you wonder who is “FINANCING”, their WAR this time…..
We really need every body who will serve.
July 9th, 2009 at 2:05 pmThough I don’t agree in the context of this legislation, this is a legitimate reason to not support something.
A Congressperson’s job is to represent their constituents, and if their constituents are against a particular piece of legislation, then the congressperson should vote against it, even if they don’t personally agree with it. I can’t sit here and claim otherwise when just yesterday I railed against the Senators that want to vote against a public option when their constituents want them to vote for it as I feel that is a dereliction of their duties.
Now, on the issue of civil rights, I don’t agree that these issues should be in the hands of the people, as our country is designed to prevent the majority from affecting the rights of the minority. In order to have equal protection, all people must start with the same sets of rights. For this particular issue, I feel that it is a civil rights issue – how can we say that gay people have no right to serve their country simply because they are gay? That is overtly bigoted, and for it to be the official position is a shame on this country.
July 9th, 2009 at 2:07 pmMany people complain that the US no longer has individuals that can be called heroes. The real heroes are people who do the right thing regardless of the cost to themselves. Our representatives are incapable of doing the right thing because they do not want to lose their office with the perks. They put their self interest above the needs of the people. Lobbyists play to that self interest so it is easy to buy votes. Likewise, our representatives demonstrate their lack of morals and sense of justice when they are more concerned with getting reelected than doing the right thing. Amoral politicians are the norm and that is a sad statement about our political climate.
July 9th, 2009 at 2:24 pmthe level of blind discrimination is unbelievable
imo, if the gay guy can do his job shoulder to shoulder with hetero but the hetero can not do the job next to gay
the guy who does do his job should get fired
any other policy is just plain bigoted
July 9th, 2009 at 3:43 pmYou know what? I’d bet that the people of those districts would get over it. Most people are too concerned with the economy to really care except the wonks.
July 9th, 2009 at 4:12 pmToo bad the congress-people don’t have any guts.
Wayne @ #15
I would recommend your post a million times if I could.
July 9th, 2009 at 4:13 pmThanks
July 9th, 2009 at 7:33 pmThanks, LibertyLover. Perhaps you could try creating a million screen names and have each one recommend it. :)
July 9th, 2009 at 11:00 pm.
The Young Republican said:
Wasn’t that what your team has accused the Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, of doing to the Israelis?
… And you’re different, just HOW?
Oh, I know how…
… You put your intent in clear writing above while Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been misquoted by your team!
So, you wish to achieve what Hitler couldn’t do to the European gay population…
… EXTERMINATION?
.
July 9th, 2009 at 11:08 pm