White House pursuing ‘best process’ to end ‘Don’t Ask’

President Obama and military leaders are pursuing “the best process” to ending “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told DC Agenda during Friday’s press briefing.

In responding to questions from DC Agenda reporter Chris Johnson, Gibbs also sidestepped a query about whether Obama would support a legislative moratorium on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” discharges. A full transcript of the exchange follows.

DC Agenda: Robert, I have a question for you on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” There was a report in the Politico saying the White House hasn’t provided Congress with a clear path forward on this issue following the president’s announcement in the State of the Union address. What kind of of guidance is the president giving lawmakers as the Pentagon undertakes its review, and is the president expecting repeal legislation on his desk this year?

Robert Gibbs: What was that last part?

Agenda: Is the president expecting repeal legislation on his desk this year?

Gibbs: Well, again, the president outlined in the State of the Union — and you heard Secretary Gates and Adm. Mullen discuss the process that will take place. If that process results in legislation by the year’s end, the president will certainly sign it. I think, most importantly, the president, the military and others feel like we have the best process structured moving forward to end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

Agenda: I have a follow up, actually. Would the president support a legislative moratorium on discharges under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” at this time, until the Pentagon completes its review?

Gibbs: I would point you to what the — to the testimony from Gates and Mullen in what that process will — the process that will take place over the course of the next year.