Obama shouldn't dawdle on 'don't ask, don't tell'

President Obama is a careful and deliberate politician. But he should not be overly careful or deliberate making good on a campaign promise to allow gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military.

A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision not to hear a constitutional challenge to the outdated "don't ask, don't tell" military policy is a reminder Obama has not delivered on a key pledge. Instead, he asked the Pentagon to study implications of changing the policy and report its findings.

Having facts in front of him as he moves forward and seeks support of Congress is a good idea. Preparing military leadership for the change is equally important. But there are long studies and short studies. A shorter one makes more sense.

The public is moving faster on this issue than the politicians. Public support for gays serving openly and without fear has increased significantly in recent years.

Obama and leaders in Congress are understandably wary of torpedoing the health-care plan with a political diversion. But it is time to correct an approach that treats gay and lesbians in the military as second-class citizens.

Some political and military experts who ushered in the policy during the Clinton years have publicly announced a change of heart. They realize the policy was a contrivance based on a false belief that gays and lesbians would hurt unit cohesion, recruitment and morale.

John Shalikashvili, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff when the policy was created, wrote a pivotal op-ed in The New York Times two years ago. He said changing the rule would not undermine efficacy of the armed forces. Besides, the military has been stretched too thin and should welcome service of Americans willing and able to do the job.

Obama and Congress should change the rule sooner rather than later. There is no perfect moment.