ISSUES: Gates: Repeal 'Don't Ask' ASAP!

Robert Gates wants Congress to repeal the law preventing gays from openly serving in the military as quickly as possible—before Republicans take over in January and prevent it from happening at all. “I would like to see the repeal of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell,’” the defense secretary said yesterday, according to Time, “but I’m not sure what the prospects for that are.”

For months, Gates and President Obama have been urging a molasses-speed end to the policy, urging Congress to wait until December or January, when the Pentagon finishes its study of the possible effects of integration. But now Gates fears Republicans will block the move if Democrats wait too long. He also wants the Senate to ratify an arms control treaty with Russia before the lame duck session ends.