White House Supports "Don't Ask Don't Tell" Compromise

In a slightly unexpected announcement, the White House has given its backing to a compromise deal on "Don't Ask Don't Tell":

The White House lent its support Monday to a proposal floated by three lawmakers that would repeal the so-called "don't ask, don't tell" ban on gays serving openly in the military, in a way that a top lawmaker says is palatable to the Pentagon.

"The administration… supports the proposed amendment,” OMB director Peter Orszag said in a brief letter to the measure’s co-sponsors, Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.), Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Pa.).

Orszag’s letter came in response to one the three law makers sent the White House Monday, asking for the administration's response to their proposed legislation that would allow open homosexuals to serve in the military. The deal had been carefully orchestrated during weeks of discussion and finalized in meetings Monday at the White House.