Nunn Softens Opposition To Gays
As part of his vetting process, Sam Nunn, former U.S. Senator (D-Georgia), has softened his opposition to gays in the military. Nunn has been out of the Senate for 12 years and is a top contender to be Obama’s running mate. He would be a superb choice as he balances Obama with impeccable credentials in foreign policy and had a reputation as a bi-partisan.
As chair of Senate Armed Services, Nunn vigorously opposed any plan of Bill Clinton’s to lift restrictions on gays serving openly in the military. As a negotiator and one willing to compromise, Nunn ultimately endorsed "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell." 20 of the 25 countries in NATO allow gays and lesbians to openly serve in the military. Most Americans and most military people are not opposed to gays and lesbians serving in the military. The Clinton policy was a well-intentioned policy that has done more harm than good.
Nunn told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution last week that the issue should be revisited. Wanting to avoid the flip-flop tag, Nunn added, "I'm not advocating anything -- except I'm saying the policy was the right policy for the right time, and times change. It's appropriate to take another look." Nunn’s comments make sense (Nunn-sense). The issue hasn’t been revisited since 1992, he’s been out of public service for a dozen years and public opinion has changed.
Nunn’s departure from politics continued the movement of the ProConPundit away from the Democratic Party. He’s a good man and a rare find as a conservative Democrat. He could help Obama get elected and, if his voice and wisdom were given due credence, could help Obama govern well. He is not remembered by huge chunks of the looney left and rejected by others, which will help Obama get the votes of moderates who are skeptical.
Could the ProConPundit support an Obama-Nunn ticket? No. I am with McCain. A McCain-Nunn ticket would get my attentiion! My belief and my hope is that, unlike 2000 and 2004, this year’s presidential election margin of victory will not be razor thin. It will be substantial, possibly landslide. Our country needs a decisive victory and then the country needs to get behind whoever wins. I won’t root for Obama but if he wins, I’ll take pride as a Chicagoan...it would be Illinois’ first president since Lincoln. Having a credible running mate will help. Nunn is arguably his best choice.
If Nunn is on the ticket, he could help to bring Georgia into the Democratic column. A running mate has not brought a state to the electoral college that would not have otherwise supported the nominee since LBJ delivered Texas in 1960. Nunn wouldn’t be able to singularly bring Georgia. However, there are 600,000 African Americans in Georgia that are eligible but not registered to vote. If registration drives are successful and Nunn is on the team, Georgia’s 15 electoral votes could go Democratic for the first time since 1992. Interestingly, Georgia went for Clinton in 1992 but Dole in 1996.
As part of his vetting process, Sam Nunn, former U.S. Senator (D-Georgia), has softened his opposition to gays in the military. Nunn has been out of the Senate for 12 years and is a top contender to be Obama’s running mate. He would be a superb choice as he balances Obama with impeccable credentials in foreign policy and had a reputation as a bi-partisan.
As chair of Senate Armed Services, Nunn vigorously opposed any plan of Bill Clinton’s to lift restrictions on gays serving openly in the military. As a negotiator and one willing to compromise, Nunn ultimately endorsed "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell." 20 of the 25 countries in NATO allow gays and lesbians to openly serve in the military. Most Americans and most military people are not opposed to gays and lesbians serving in the military. The Clinton policy was a well-intentioned policy that has done more harm than good.
Nunn told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution last week that the issue should be revisited. Wanting to avoid the flip-flop tag, Nunn added, "I'm not advocating anything -- except I'm saying the policy was the right policy for the right time, and times change. It's appropriate to take another look." Nunn’s comments make sense (Nunn-sense). The issue hasn’t been revisited since 1992, he’s been out of public service for a dozen years and public opinion has changed.
Nunn’s departure from politics continued the movement of the ProConPundit away from the Democratic Party. He’s a good man and a rare find as a conservative Democrat. He could help Obama get elected and, if his voice and wisdom were given due credence, could help Obama govern well. He is not remembered by huge chunks of the looney left and rejected by others, which will help Obama get the votes of moderates who are skeptical.
Could the ProConPundit support an Obama-Nunn ticket? No. I am with McCain. A McCain-Nunn ticket would get my attentiion! My belief and my hope is that, unlike 2000 and 2004, this year’s presidential election margin of victory will not be razor thin. It will be substantial, possibly landslide. Our country needs a decisive victory and then the country needs to get behind whoever wins. I won’t root for Obama but if he wins, I’ll take pride as a Chicagoan...it would be Illinois’ first president since Lincoln. Having a credible running mate will help. Nunn is arguably his best choice.
If Nunn is on the ticket, he could help to bring Georgia into the Democratic column. A running mate has not brought a state to the electoral college that would not have otherwise supported the nominee since LBJ delivered Texas in 1960. Nunn wouldn’t be able to singularly bring Georgia. However, there are 600,000 African Americans in Georgia that are eligible but not registered to vote. If registration drives are successful and Nunn is on the team, Georgia’s 15 electoral votes could go Democratic for the first time since 1992. Interestingly, Georgia went for Clinton in 1992 but Dole in 1996.
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