Gates Backs "Don't Ask Don't Tell" Deal

Robert Gates has given his tentative backing to a compromise deal on the controversial "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law:

Defense Secretary Robert Gates offered a tepid endorsement of a deal to repeal the "Don't ask, don't tell" ban on gays in the military on Tuesday, a day after the White House announced its support.

"Secretary Gates continues to believe that, ideally, the DOD review should be completed before there is any legislation to repeal the ‘Don't ask, don't tell' law," Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said in a statement. "With Congress having indicated that is not possible, the secretary can accept the language in the proposed amendment."