GOP support for previous gay rights issues in 111th Congress paints good picture for DADT repeal

The White House has apparently reached a compromise on the push to repeal the controversial"Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy in the military. The compromise apparently entails a delayed implementation of the repeal. The policy would be repealed only after a Pentagon study group completed a review of the effects of repeal. This is moot, however. Robert Gates was appointed by President Obama therefore will likely sign off on any policy the President endorses. The repeal of DADT has picked up support among many GOP military leaders, notably Colin Powell. The major question people are asking is, will the repeal pass the house?

It is very possible, looking at previous Republican votes on gay rights issues this year. The Matthew Shepard Act, which extended the definition of hate crimes to cover sexual orientation, passed with 18 Republican votes in the House. It moved on to win 5 Republican votes in the Senate. The repeal of DADT will be a far more controversial issue, though if several Republican lawmakers vote yes, it is likely the Blue Dogs will go along. At this point it seems the prospects of passage are fairly good, though much remains to be seen.

Update: It seems John Larson (D-CT) agrees with me. This is only speculative, however, as House Democrats never actually talk to their Republican colleagues as they do in the Senate.