Clinton's First Fire Fight

Bill Clinton never experienced hostile fire in Vietnam or anywhere else, but last week the future Commander in Chief learned firsthand what baptism by fire means. His affirmation of his campaign pledge to lift the Pentagon's ban on homosexuals serving in the military triggered such anger, especially in the Pentagon, that he was forced to add that the step would be taken only after consultation with "a lot of people."

Critics, including all the military-service chiefs, charged that Clinton's lack of military experience showed that his insensitivity was surpassed only by his ignorance on the issue. Republican Senator Bob Dole warned that Clinton would "get in more trouble than he can add up right now if he starts with an Executive Order" to change policy. Partisans of change -- especially among homosexual groups that contributed to Clinton's campaign -- were determined to take Clinton at his word. "Mr. Clinton committed himself," said Tanya Domi of the Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Veterans of America, "and we'll hold him to his promise."

Lost in the furor was precisely what Clinton is proposing. Under Department of Defense regulations, which were strongly criticized in a General Accounting Office report earlier this year, simply being homosexual is enough to provoke expulsion without any evidence of misconduct. Since 1982, more than 14,000 people have been kicked out of the military; women were six times as likely to be expelled as men in what has often amounted to witch-hunts. Clinton takes great care to emphasize the difference between sexual orientation and conduct. % Simple homosexual proclivity, he argued, should not be grounds for expulsion. "Clinton's not advocating a homosexual life-style," says Lawrence Korb, a military expert at the Brookings Institution. "He's just supporting the human rights of those persons who are."

The nuances in Clinton's plan went widely unrecognized among military personnel, who barraged the President-elect with bitter criticism, arguing that homosexuals would undermine good order and morale. The tight personal living arrangements in the military, many Pentagon hands contend, are different from the 9-to-5 world of civilians. But for all the uproar, there were signs that Clinton was winning support. Polls show a majority of the public favors lifting the ban. In contrast to Senator Sam Nunn's harsh criticism, House Armed Services Chairman Les Aspin was quietly supporting the initiative. Even General Colin Powell, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was having second thoughts. Although not backing away from his support for the current policy, Powell announced that the armed forces stand "ready to do what we're told."