Gen. David Petraeus said Tuesday of the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy: 'This is not a sound bite issue.' Petraeus open to 'don't ask' repeal

Gen. David Petraeus told the Senate Armed Services Committee Tuesday that he’s willing to consider changing the military’s ban on openly gay military service.

Asked by Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who opposes changing the "don’t ask, don’t tell" policy, whether a thorough review was needed before the law could be repealed, the head of the U.S. Central Command that oversees the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan asked to read an 8-minute statement outlining his thoughts.


“This is not a sound-bite issue,” Petraeus said.

Denied the opportunity to go on at length, the general kept his remarks brief.

“I believe the time has come to consider a change to ‘don’t ask, don’t tell,’ ” Petraeus said, adding that it should be done carefully and include the review directed by Defense Secretary Robert Gates to assess the effects on recruiting, retention, morale and unit cohesion.

Petraeus did not release his full statement after Tuesday’s hearing but could later, perhaps at another hearing.

The popular four-star Army general has been suggested by some Republicans as a potential presidential candidate in 2012. He's denied such ambitions, but plans to speak this month at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, N.H., in the state that has traditionally held the nation’s first presidential primary.

Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) plans to introduce legislation to repeal the "don't ask, don’t tell" policy. The first step in that process will take place Thursday, when the Senate Armed Services Committee holds an informational hearing on the issue.

Three former officers — former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Marine Gen. John Sheehan, former Air Force Maj. Michael Almy and former Navy Lt. Jenny Kopfstein — are scheduled to testify.