Bait and Switch?

Interesting to notice that, with all the foofooraw over DADT repeal, an inclusive ENDA is moving forward, relatively quietly.

Interesting because, in general, ENDA is a much more dicey affair, particularly with the "T" inclusion -- say what you will, but the religious right's "men in dresses" mantra does have an effect. DADT repeal is basically a no-brainer, but it's instructive to see the display of relative power in this -- White House vs. Pentagon. Let's face it, the main resistance to repeal is coming from the upper brass. We can question Obama's commitment to repeal (and I do, believe me -- I don't think his support was ever more than slightly above lip service), but we have to ask ourselves why that support is so wobbly. I think it's the Pentagon, which is exerting its influence on the White House, and that, in conjunction with DoJ, which doesn't seem to have gotten the gay rights memo, and whatever political homophobes are advising the president, is probably going to scuttle DADT repeal.

Congress is reluctant to do anything without some show of support from the WH, the WH isn't going to move because of the generals, and the generals are playing a waiting game hoping to scuttle the whole thing.

In the meantime, Congress, not willing to move on DADT without some visible support from the WH, is quietly getting ENDA ready for floor vote. It's doubtful that it will not pass the House; the sticker, as always, is the Senate, where a combination of a Democratic minority (to their way of thinking, at least), a fair number of fossils on both sides of the aisle, and a determination among the Republican leadership that nothing will pass without great rending of garments and gnashing of teeth, may very well stall it. (Happily, both my senators are on record as supporting both ENDA and DADT repeal. What I need is for them to get right up in Mitch McConnell's face.) But who knows? It could very well sail right through -- the only corporate interest involved is the corporate religious right. It's not like Bank of America or WellPoint are going to be lobbying against it.

There will be a quiz on this next time.