N.Y. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand Under Fire from Opponents Over DADT

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York has been a vocal advocate for repeal of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, and her potential Republican challengers attempted to portray that as “pandering to special interest groups” during a debate Tuesday evening.

The three candidates were asked whether they thought the policy should be repealed and if they believed the military is ready for repeal. Each man yielded to the expertise of the military to decide the question, and one candidate pointedly criticized Gillibrand for her early and high-profile advocacy since being appointed to office last year.

“You need to listen to the military leaders,” said Bruce Blakeman, who unsuccessfully ran for New York City mayor last year. “Give them time. They’ll make the report and then come to judgment. Don’t pander to special interest groups.”

The senate is expected to vote in the coming weeks on the repeal passed by the House in May. The measure provides for repeal of the policy following a Pentagon study.

Watch the debate from NY 1. The discussion on “don’t ask, don’t tell” begins at the 18:00 minute mark.

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