House Dems don't want to vote on "controversial bills" next year -- including DADT repeal

Don't say we didn't warn everyone about this. Democrats on Capitol Hill, particularly House members, are freaking out about the 2010 elections. According to The Hill, Speaker Pelosi is determined to protect her caucus from having to vote on "controversial bills":

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has privately told her politically vulnerable Democratic members that they will not vote on controversial bills in 2010 unless the Senate acts first.

And, while the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" has broad public support, on Capitol Hill, anything "gay" is viewed as "controversial":

Pelosi’s promise could dim the prospects for other White House priorities as well, including the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) — known as “card check” — and the repeal of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” prohibition on gays serving openly in the military.

“There’s not going to be a ton of stuff legislatively next year either way,” a House leadership aide said. “But on EFCA — even though the House has demonstrated its ability to pass it — and on Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, the Senate is definitely going to have to act first.”

EFCA is the top priority for the labor movement. DADT is a top priority for the LGBT community. So, two of the top constituencies -- and funders -- for Democrats are "controversial." Actually, make that three - Latinos are now "controvesial" too:

The Speaker recently assured her freshman lawmakers and other vulnerable members of her caucus that a vote on immigration reform is not looming despite a renewed push from the White House and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. The House will not move on the issue until the upper chamber passes a bill, Pelosi told the members.

To get DADT repealed, we need to pressure the Obama administration to include a full repeal - not a "change," but a repeal of the policy" - in its budget, which must be submitted to Congress by the first Monday in February. The repeal must be a part of the Defense Authorization process -- and that starts with the President's budget. So, for all the apologists out there who think President Obama is without blame or without a role in the process (which is patently absurd), in reality, on the legislative repeal of DADT, the Obama administration plays THE critical role. If it's not in Obama's budget, it could be very difficult to pass the repeal next year.

Things are only going to get worse. Again, hate to say it, but we warned you.