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Obama's Speech at Boxer Event Interrupted By 'Don't ask, don't Tell' Opponents
During his speech last night at a fundraiser event for the Democratic National Committee and Senator Barbara Boxer's re-election campaign, President Barack Obama was interrupted several times by shouts from the audience calling for a repeal of the "Don't ask, don't tell policy," according to the Daily News.
In response to the repeated outbursts, Obama replied favorably, remarking, in terms of a repeal, "We are going to do that," and "Can I just say again Barbara and I are supportive of repealing `Don't ask, don't tell."' In return, the crowd took up Obama's campaign slogan, chanting "Yes we can."
Obama ribbed the hecklers, pointing out that if he and Boxer have already gone on record in favor of the repeal, "then you don't know exactly why you've got to holler because we already hear you. I mean, it would have made more sense to holler that at the people who oppose it."
The outbursts, attributed to members of the LGBT advocacy group GetEQUAL, continued, however, halting Obama's remarks, and prompting some in the audience to shout "be quiet."
Obama stayed overnight in Los Angeles, and returns to Washington this morning. He could return to Los Angeles soon to give the commencement speech at a Lawndale school, if they win the competition for the honor.
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