Poll: public support of gays openly serving in military surges

John McCain's "intolerable risk" position on gays and lesbians openly serving is tired, bigoted and out of step with boots on the ground and the American public. Look at the latest figures from this Washington Post-ABC News poll (July 10-13, 2008):

Seventy-five percent of Americans in a new Washington Post-ABC News poll said gay people who are open about their sexual orientation should be allowed to serve in the U.S. military, up from 62 percent in early 2001 and 44 percent in 1993.

Majorities of Democrats, Republicans and independents alike now believe it is acceptable for openly gay people to serve in the U.S. armed forces. Shortly after he took office in 1993, Clinton faced strong resistance to his campaign pledge to lift the military's ban on allowing gay people to enlist. At that time, 67 percent of Republicans and 75 percent of conservatives opposed the idea. A majority of independents, 56 percent, and 45 percent of Democrats also opposed changing the policy.

...While 71 percent of veterans said gay people who do not declare themselves as such should be allowed to serve, that number drops sharply, to 50 percent, for those who are open about their sexuality. Non-veterans, by contrast, are as likely to support those who "tell" as those who do not.

McCain, again, is living in the past when you see defenses of DADT like this:

In 2007, McCain responds to a question by CBS5's Hank Plante about the "intolerable risk statement" (below) in light of polling that runs counter to his illogical position:

"Because our military leaders tell us it would hurt morale and discipline..." blah, blah, blah.

Plante: "Your predecessor in the Senate, Barry Goldwater, didn't feel that way...you are kind of at odds with that."

McCain: "I would assume so; Barry has now passed away, it's hard for me to ask him."

I would love for McCain to stand in a room with retired Marine Sgt. Eric Alva, the first American service member injured in Iraq, who lost a leg on March 21, 2003 when he tripped a landmine that he is an intolerable risk.

Related:

* Gay Army sergeant who discussed serving openly in 60 Minutes piece is discharged under DADT

* Fred Barnes: McCain better step up the 'homo-bashing' as strategy

* The Log Cabin Republicans' 'education' of the LGBT community on McCain begins