Of course he does. He can veto any implementation by refusing to sign the certification required by the legislation before DADT is formally repealed:

2) The President transmits to the congressional defense committees a written certification, signed by the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stating each of the following:…

But Gates has absolutely no equity in vetoing the recommendations of what the bill text also specifies is the very working group he convened. Everything he’s done since February on DADT repeal has revolved around that working group. Why would he suddenly turn around and veto it, against the wishes of the president and the congress?

He may not, but why set a precedent of giving the SecDef and the Joint Chiefs Chair a veto over a Presidential decision?

You can’t take the Pentagon leadership out of leadership decisions for the Pentagon. They have equities at stake and they have to guard. Gates and Mullen are trying to integrate the military for open gay service, and I think that crucial context is getting lost in this debate.

I’m sorry, I just don’t buy it. Originally, the JC were to send a report to the President for his approval, following the chain of command. He was free to go ahead, even if the report highlighted problems (real or imagined.) Now all three must sign off before any action can be taken. I don’t think HST followed that approach when desegregating the military.

This is also consistent with the general (small g) approach to decision making. “We’ll stand down, when they stand up!” Making your behavior contingent upon the actions of others who may not have the same agenda reeks of waffling. Back to HST – “The buck stops here!”

Making your behavior contingent upon the actions of others who may not have the same agenda reeks of waffling. Back to HST – “The buck stops here!”

it’s pretty easy to imagine that Truman made a decision and immediately issued an order. it’s not at all true, but as long as you don’t know that it isn’t….

http://www.trumanlibrary.org/whistlestop/study_collections/desegregation/large/index.php?action=chronology

Truman issued his EO after two or three years of preparation, in July 48, and even six months after the order, there were problems.

January 12, 1949: The Fahy Committee holds its first meeting with President Truman and the Secretaries of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Defense. “I want the job done,” the President said, “and I want it done in a way so that everyone will be happy to cooperate to get it done.”

Yes, but HE issued the order. It was not necessary to have it co-signed by the military. When they objected, he shot them down.
I’m sorry you can’t see the difference.

July 26, 1948: President Truman signs Executive Order 9981, which states, “It is hereby declared to be the policy of the President that there shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion, or national origin.” The order also establishes the President’s Committee on Equality of Treatment and opportunity in the Armed Services.

July 26, 1948: Army staff officers state anonymously to the press that Executive Order 9981 does not specifically forbid segregation in the Army.

July 27, 1948: Army Chief of Staff General Omar N. Bradley states that desegregation will come to the Army only when it becomes a fact in the rest of American society.

July 29, 1948: President Truman states in a press conference that the intent of Executive Order 9981 is to end segregation in the armed forces.

He had to overcome the military’s opposition, but he did not have to ask their permission. There is a difference

you need to read the stuff from the Truman Library again. Truman not only waited years for the military to get used to the idea of integration, he mostly certainly had to wait years for it to happen after he issued the order.

when you say something such as the military objected and Truman shot them down, you’re not really on solid ground. the integration of the armed forces was gradual, beginning with theWWII navy under Roosevelt and not really happening until the Korean War.

I suggest …
http://www.history.army.mil/books/integration/IAF-FM.htm

as Truman did, Obama can issue an EO, (although passing legislation is much better) but a statement of policy from POTUS isn’t anything tangible unless the military signs a myriad of specific orders. they really do have to co-sign.

I am not questioning the sequence, but when he did act he acted on his own, as President, not as part of a committee.