And if Congress gets weak-kneed and refuses to repeal it?

Then I think Obama gets his way -- his secret way.  He can pretend he stood for gay rights all along, but this way he doesn't have to take the blame for a decision someone else makes.  It's weak and spineless and what I've come to expect out of him over the last year or so. 

In point of fact, this IS a decision for the courts.  It's an unconstitutional law.  Period. 

Part of me thinks he wants to do it in the most sober, deliberative way.  Anyone can cut the Gordian knot, Obama wants to unravel them.

But more and more I share Tom's cynicism.  Obama doesn't seem to know how to gain political capital, which makes him all the more desperate not to spend it.

To me, it's as if he doesn't want to take responsiblity.  He wants health-care overhaul, but he just hands it over to congress and doesn't guide or push them at all.  He wants the repeal of DADT, but he fights it because he thinks it should be decided by the congress. 

I think it's because he's preparing for failure.  If health care failed, he could blame congress.  If DADT doesn't get repealed, he can blame congress.