Obama heckled again over 'don't ask, don't tell'

President Barack Obama was once again heckled by a gay rights activist over the military policy of "don't ask, don't tell" by a heckler seeking swift repeal of the policy at a fundraiser for Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA).

Kip Williams, co-founder of the activist group GetEqual, interrupted as Obama was delivering a fundraising speech for Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.). The president paused to lecture the man as other Democratic supporters booed the heckler. The "don't ask, don't tell" policy bars openly gay and lesbian soldiers from military service.

"I hate to say this, but ... if he wants to demonstrate, buy a ticket to a guy who doesn't support his point of view, and then you can yell as much as you want there," Obama said. Williams' group interrupted another Obama speech earlier this year, in Los Angeles.

Obama told Williams to "read the newspapers." "He said do it faster," the president said. "It's like, come on, man, I'm dealing with Congress here. It takes a little bit of time."

"Maybe he didn't read the newspapers, because we're working with Congress as we speak to roll back 'don't ask, don't tell,'" Obama retorted. "It's like, come on, man, I'm dealing with Congress here. It takes a little bit of time."

An agreement worked out with congressional leaders and the military would have legislators pass a measure calling for repeal of the controversial policy to kick in once the Pentagon completes a review of the matter and Obama and military leaders sign off on how to make the transition work.

A vote in Congress to roll back the policy, which bans gays and lesbians from serving openly in the military, is expected as soon as Thursday. Although the White House has expressed support for the repeal, several gay rights groups, including GetEqual, say Obama has not been outspoken enough. With Republicans largely united against a repeal, Democrats are struggling for repeal votes.

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