Gay Rights as National Security Issue

Not surprisingly, the draft Democratic platform includes repeal of the don't-ask-don't-tell policy for gays in the military. What was striking was where in the platform the Democrats put this declaration.

The 2004 Democratic platform called for "equal treatment of servicemen"...in a section on civil rights.

The 2008 platform point-blank calls for the repeal of "don't-ask-don't-tell"...in the section on national security:

"Allow All Americans to Serve We will also put national security above divisive politics. More than 10,000 service men and women have been discharged on the basis of sexual orientation since the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy was implemented, at a cost of over $360 million. Many of those forced out had special skills in high demand, such as translators, engineers and pilots. At a time when the military is having a tough time recruiting and retaining troops, it is wrong to deny our country the service of brave, qualified people. We support the repeal of "Don't Ask Don't Tell" and the implementation of policies to allow qualified men and women to serve openly regardless of sexual orientation."

Since it was conventional wisdom in the 1990s that Bill Clinton's early political problems stemmed in part from efforts to allow gays in the military, it's interesting that Obama is going so directly at this. He is either a) a stronger believer in gay rights; b) more politically tone deaf; c) more politically astute, having found a shrewder way of framing the issue; or d) tapping into profound changes in public opinion since 1993.

Some historians believe that African American service in World War II helped shift American atittudes (both black and white) on race. Will 9/11 and the Iraq war be seen as key factors in the progress of gay rights?