Public opinion appears to side with changing the policy. A Gallup poll in May found that 69% of Americans favored allowing gays and lesbians to openly serve in the military. About a quarter of respondents -- 26% -- were opposed.
The Obama administration has been cautious in its approach, perhaps wary of President Clinton's experience in 1993. Clinton stumbled through his first year in office in part because of the emphasis he placed on trying to allow gays to serve openly in the military.
A May report by the UC Santa Barbara's Palm Center asserted the president had the power to stop the military from discharging service members for their sexual orientation. But the White House has said it was focusing on a "legislative vehicle" to deal with the issue.
At an event Monday, Obama said his office was working with the Pentagon and members of Congress on how to end the rule.
"Someday, I'm confident, we'll look back at this transition and ask why it generated such angst," Obama said. "But as commander in chief in a time of war, I do have responsibility to see that this change is administered in a practical way."
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said this week that he wanted to make the law dealing with gays in the military "more humane" until Congress acted. Among the ideas under consideration: The military might not have to expel someone whose sexual orientation is revealed by a third party out of vindictiveness or suspect motives.
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jdrobynk@mcall.com
