A gay soldier’s question about the end of the military’s "don’t ask, don’t tell" policy elicited boos from the audience at Thursday’s Republican candidates debate, and a promise from Rick Santorum (shown answering a question during debate) to reinstate the policy if elected. In a video submission, Stephen Hill tells the Republican presidential candidates he "had to lie about who he was" when he was deployed to Iraq in 2010 because of his sexual orientation, and his fear that he would "lose my job." "My question is, under one of your presidencies, do you intend to circumvent the progress that’s been made for gay and lesbian soldiers in the military?" Hill asked. Loud jeers were heard immediately from the crowd at the debate site in Orlando, Fla., marking the third straight debate when the audience’s reaction overshadowed the candidate’s/Michael A. Memoli, Tribune Washington Bureau. More here.

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