Andrew Sullivan flagged something in the debate that really jumped out at me too. In explaining why he doesn't support gays in the military he basically said that if the military were a cross-section of America, gays in the military might work. But the military is really a Christian conservative institution, and they won't put up with gays.

Late Update: From a few emails from readers, I think I wasn't clear enough in this post. I'm not agreeing with Hunter's characterization of the military. I was struck by the audacity of his rationale for barring gays from service.

TPM Reader JE comments ...

Are the Republican hopefuls really that naive? I'm an active duty officer currently in Korea. If they believe that the military is a Christian-right, conservative institution they need to spend a few nights in the "ville" around a military base here...they would be "shocked!" by what they saw. After 17+ years in the military, most of it overseas, nothing amazes me anymore. It would make most people's heads spin what goes on, on a daily basis, at bars and clubs here.