situation where you have on paper enough votes or people saying they would vote for ultimately for repeal, but it -- dying for sort of political reasons, people annoyed that the vote happened when it did, there wasn't enough debate on the issue or whatever else reason they use. >> harry reid's had a majority in the congress, he could have pushed this in any time. republicans made it clear what they want to vote on in this lame duck session. they're for the military stuff. they may very well be for equality in the military. but they basically said don't clutter it up, let's have procedure. reid basically has thrown this up for political reasons. i think at the end of the day it's something everybody wanted more time to debate it, it's a very significant issue and i think it deserved the right to have that. if you want to get republican votes you basically have to at least listen to them and give them an opportunity. it's a new game. >> alex, you were discharged under don't ask, don't tell. you're fighting to repeal it. who do you blame? >> i think there's certainly enough blame to go around, but