Top Defense Officials: We Want To Repeal DADT, Just Not Right Now

Jillian Bandes | February 03, 2010 11:00 AM

The din of DADT chatter is so loud this morning that it's almost impossible to hear anything else. After Obama's emphasis on the issue during his State of the Union address,

Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen has followed with a push to to abolish don't-ask-don't-tell.

They added one important caveat: just give us some time.

They wanted one year, to be precise. The decision "comes down to integrity," but the time isn't quite right. In one year, the new policy will allow gays to be open about their sexuality, as long as they keep their sexuality private.. whatever that means. After just a few months, DADT will find itself in the trash bin.

I'm wondering how different this new push is from existing policy. Wasn't Obama's plan always to abolish DADT.... except, never just yet?