Episode 368 BOB DOLE 1993 - 1995 The Last Man Standing (Part 5) Gays in the Military

Bob Dole 1993 - 1995 The Last Man Standing

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The most controversial issue that President Clinton tackled right off the back was changing the policy in the United States military banning homosexuals from serving. It would be met with opposition by Bob Dole, Strom Thurmond, Phil Gramm and the Joint Chiefs' of Staff. In fact, even the Democratic Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Sam Nunn, was opposed to the change.

But Bill Clinton insisted that the issue would be addressed. After months of debate and study the policy that would be agreed to for years was "Don't Ask don't Tell" it would stand until President Barak Obama dropped the policy and the ban for good during his Presidency.

What made this issue interesting , at least for me, and I hope you will pick up in this episode, is that the opposition did not jump on this issue in an attempt to politicize the problem. It was there, and the issue hurt the President in those years, but the Republicans tried to present their opposition in ways that did not inflame the public any more than it already was upset. It was a very different way of acting than what we have seen in modern times.

Especially, with an issue as easy to politicize as this one was. It is an interesting episode in which we hear from all the major players, from Bob Dole, and Bill Clinton, to the Joint Chiefs, Strom Thurmond, Phil Gramm, Don Rickles, and countless others all trying to find a proper solution to the issue.

Questions or comments at , [email protected] , https://twitter.com/randal_wallace , and http://www.randalwallace.com/
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Chapters

1. A History of Don't Ask Don't Tell - CNN segment (00:00:00)

2. Bernie stood up for Gay Rights in 1993 - Sanders Campaign video (00:01:37)

3. Intro Music (00:03:13)

4. Host Randal Wallace talks about the issue of Gays in the Military from 1993 (00:03:38)

5. Bob Dole, Strom Thurmond, and Dan coats Press Conference on January 27, 1993 in the Senate Press Room (00:06:27)

6. Host Randal Wallace introduces Bill Clinton's press conference (00:21:16)

7. President Clinton's Press Conference regarding homosexuals in the military - January 29, 1993 (00:21:29)

8. Host Randal Wallace talks about the reaction to the announcement by Senators (00:41:20)

9. Senators Bob Dole and Phil Gramm press conference to address the issue of Gays in the Military February 1, 1993 (00:42:36)

10. Host Randal Wallace talks about the 6 month delay and then "Don't Ask Don't tell" policy that emerged (00:48:34)

11. President Clinton announces the new policy in regards to homosexuals serving in the military July 19, 1993 (00:49:33)

12. "Clinton Gays in the Military" - Local New York News Report (01:08:50)

13. Host Randal Wallace talks about how congress fought it and the compromise policy that emerged "Don;'t Ask Don't Tell" (01:11:12)

14. Does Clinton regret "Don't Ask Don't Tell" ? - CBS News (01:13:02)

15. Closing theme (01:15:16)