Dodd: Repeal 'don't ask, don't tell' military policy

HAMPTON, N.H. -- Democratic presidential hopeful U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd said Saturday he wants to see the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gays in uniform repealed.

"Whether or not we can repeal it or not I don't know," he said, "but it seems to me that at a time when we need talented people to serve in our military, setting up barriers like that for those who might serve, I think is wrong."

The Connecticut senator, who made his comments while visiting a Hampton fire station Saturday, also defended the service of gays in the military and criticized Marine Gen. Peter Pace, who recently called homosexuality immoral.

"It was a ridiculous statement to make," Dodd said.

Dodd touched on numerous topics during his visit to the fire station, from the needs of first responders such as firefighters to the Democratic resolution to withdraw most American combat troops from Iraq in 2008.

Dodd said he has not yet called for the resignation of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, who has been accused of misleading members of Congress about the dismissal of several United States attorneys.

Several lawmakers, including Senator John Sununu, R-N.H., have called on Gonzales to resign, but Dodd said he would like to see a full investigation first.

"I'm deeply concerned about it. I thought there were certain areas that were out of bounds in politics," he said. "Apparently this administration thinks there's nothing out of bounds, including politicizing the U.S. Attorney's Office. I don't know how high that goes up."

On Iraq, Dodd said he would begin redeploying of troops right away, calling Iraq "a cauldron of turmoil."

Dodd appeared unfazed by the jockeying of various states in the primary lineup, which some say could disadvantage candidates who have with less name recognition and less funding.

"You're going to have to do well in New Hampshire," he said. "If you don't do well in New Hampshire, you're not going to do well in California."

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)