Editing Don't ask, don't tell (section)

==2012 presidential campaign issue==
Several candidates for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination called for the restoration of DADT, including [[Michele Bachmann]],<ref>''Colorado Independent'': [http://coloradoindependent.com/101540/bachmann-says-gay-soldiers-will-destroy-military-dad Andy Birkey, "Openly gay soldiers may destroy military, Bachmann says"], October 5, 2011. Retrieved January 30, 2012.</ref> [[Rick Perry]],<ref>ABC News: [https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/11/perry-prefers-dadt-says-obama-should-have-overthrown-iran-regime/ Arlette Saenz, "Perry Prefers DADT, Says Obama Should Have Overthrown Iran Regime"], November 8, 2011. Retrieved January 30, 2012.</ref> and [[Rick Santorum]].<ref>NPR: [https://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/09/23/140732553/boos-heard-at-gop-debate-after-gay-soldier-asks-about-dont-ask Mark Memmott, "Boos Heard At GOP Debate After Gay Soldier Asks About 'Don't Ask'"], September 23, 2011. Retrieved January 30, 2012. See also: [https://www.foxnews.com/politics/santorum-race-homosexuality-not-comparable-measures-for-military-service/ "Santorum: Race, Homosexuality Not Comparable Measures for Military Service"], Fox News: October 9, 2011. Retrieved January 30, 2012.</ref> [[Newt Gingrich]] called for an extensive review of DADT's repeal.<ref>[http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/dec/11/gingrich-tough-on-women-gays-in-military/ Rowan Scarborough, "Gingrich tough on women, gays in military"], ''The Washington Times''. December 11, 2011. Retrieved January 30, 2012.</ref>

[[Ron Paul]], having voted for the Repeal Act, maintained his support for allowing military service by open homosexuals.<ref>Johnson, Luke (October 26, 2011). [https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/26/ron-paul-gays-military-dadt_n_1032990.html "Ron Paul: Heterosexuals 'Causing More Trouble Than Gays' In The Military"], ''Huffington Post'': Retrieved January 30, 2012</ref> [[Herman Cain]] called the issue "a distraction" and opposed reinstating DADT.<ref>Johnson, Chris (October 20, 2011). [http://www.washingtonblade.com/2011/10/20/rising-cain/ "Raising Cain"]. ''Washington Blade'': Retrieved January 30, 2012</ref> [[Mitt Romney]] said that the winding down of military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan obviated his opposition to the repeal and said he was not proposing any change to policy.<ref>Military Culture Coalition: [http://www.militaryculturecoalition.com/content/home/32812/ Romney Endorses Gays-In-Military (LGBT) Law; Gingrich Opposed"], December 12, 2011. Retrieved January 30, 2012.</ref>

On September 22, 2011, the audience at a Republican candidates' debate booed a U.S. soldier posted in Iraq who asked a question via video about the repeal of DADT, and none of the candidates acknowledged or responded to the crowd's behavior.<ref>Wolf, Z. Byron (September 23, 2011). [https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/09/debate-crowd-booed-gay-soldier/ "Debate Crowd Booed Gay Soldier"], ABC News: Retrieved February 13, 2012</ref> Two days later, Obama commented on the incident while addressing a dinner of the [[Human Rights Campaign]]: "You want to be commander in chief? You can start by standing up for the men and women who wear the uniform of the United States, even when it's not politically convenient".<ref>[https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna44744458 "Obama: Don't stand silent when soldier is booed"], NBC News: October 1, 2011. Retrieved February 13, 2012.</ref>

In June 2012, Rep. [[Howard McKeon]], Republican chair of the House Armed Services Committee, said he considered the repeal of DADT a settled issue, and that if Romney became president he would not advocate its reinstatement, though others in his party might.<ref>Fox News: [https://www.foxnews.com/politics/gop-lawmaker-says-dont-ask-dont-tell-repeal-is-settled-issue/ "GOP lawmaker says 'don't ask, don't tell' repeal is settled issue"], June 21, 2012. Retrieved July 14, 2012.</ref>