Hillary Clinton Faults ‘Don’t Ask’ Military Rule

Hillary Rodham Clinton scored with the gay community Thursday, saying she doesn’t support the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy intended to make it easier for gays and lesbians to serve in the military.

She then stepped into the middle of a local controversy by saying she’d march in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The parade excludes the Irish Lesbian and Gay Organization, and many Democratic politicians steer clear of it.

“These are the minefields that come with New York,” said Matt Foreman, director of the Empire State Pride Agenda, which had been thrilled to hear Mrs. Clinton state her views on “don’t ask, don’t tell” at a private fund-raiser earlier this week.

At the fund-raiser Tuesday, Mrs. Clinton said that if elected to the U.S. Senate she would work to overturn the controversial policy, put in place by her husband during his first term in office. The group supports equal rights for gays.

The first lady said she was not uncomfortable staking out a position that put her at odds with President Clinton. “I’m going to be stating my positions that will be from time to time different from the White House,” she said.

Her position was first reported in Thursday’s New York Times, which learned of Mrs. Clinton’s comments from participants at the fund-raiser.

Mrs. Clinton spoke about the parade and the “don’t ask” policy at a news conference Thursday with Irish American supporters.

Her likely Republican opponent in the New York race for the Senate, Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, always marches in the parade and expressed no clear opinion on the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, saying Thursday: “I’m going to take a look at it.”

Members of the Irish lesbian and gay group were unhappy with Mrs. Clinton. “The idea that Hillary would march or even that she doesn’t know the issue is outrageous,” said Anne Maguire.

“If she marches, Hillary will be a lone Democrat walking side by side with Giuliani,” said Emmaia Gelman.