ISSUES: Powell 'Fully Supports' 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Repeal

According to TowleRoad:

The last we heard from Colin Powell, on CNN's State of the Union in July of last year, was that he supported "review" of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Following yesterday's hearings by the Joint Chief Chair Mullen and Defense Secretary Gates, Powell now says he supports it.

General Powell released a statement to the NYT: “In the almost 17 years since the ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ legislation was passed, attitudes and circumstances have changed. I fully support the new approach presented to the Senate Armed Services Committee this week by Secretary of Defense Gates and Admiral Mullen.”

The paper notes: "When Mr. Clinton tried to end the ban on gay soldiers, General Powell was the Joint Chiefs chairman and opposed the move on the grounds that it would undermine discipline and order in the military but he supported the 'don’t ask' compromise. In his statement on Wednesday, General Powell said 'the principal issue has always been the effectiveness of the Armed Forces and order and discipline in the ranks.' He noted that he has said for the past two years that it was “time for the law to be reviewed,” but his new statement of unequivocal support for the effort by Mr. Gates and Admiral Mullen could be an important factor as the debate moves forward this year."