There is rightly going to be a lot of consternation all over the Internet and the media world about how efforts to advance the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell as part of the Defense authorization bill failed to advance by a 56-43 vote in the Senate.  First of all, wrap your head around that one.  It failed by a 56-43 vote.  56 in favor.  43 against.  According to the US Senate rules, that translates to: the nays have it.

But what I'm afraid will get lost in the media narrative and the justified disappointment and outrage from many is that number.  57.  Why 57?  Because Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid had to vote 'No' just so he would be able to revive the measure later on, i.e. for procedural reasons.  57 Senators, all members of the Democratic caucus, went on the record today, in a vote, said it's time to stop procedural roadblocks and let the majority of Congress speak on this policy.

So yes, we may not have gotten all the way there today - mainly because the Senate thinks 57 out of 100 is not a majority.  But we have come really close.  And this isn't the end of the this fight.  It's a setback.  But we will persevere.  The arc of history is bending towards justice.