Is The Repeal of 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' A Ratings Gimick?

The repeal of 'don't ask don't tell' has been a long time coming and Obama made it one of his many campaign promises.  This obviously is a good thing as it will allow a good 11% minority of the US population to participate in the military...but why now and not WAY fucking earlier?

Obama is the commander and chief, the top official in the Military.  He could've come into the White House on day FUCKING ONE and repealed 'don't ask don't tell'.  The Pentagon couldn't complain because no one outranks the president; they would have to smile and say 'Yes Sir Mr. President' and allow gays to openly serve in the armed services.

Also, of all the actions he could take right now to help out the gay community, why 'don't ask don't tell'?  Why not gay marriage?  I've seen plenty of gay people clamoring to get married but not so many trying like crazy to enlist.  Also, he has a democratic majority, this would be the perfect time to put forward a bill legalizing gay marriage, and he hasn't even tried!

All in all this seems timed and empty in terms of any real advance in gay rights.  He could've done this on the first day without any problems from congress or the pentagon and there are much more important things he could've done to improve gay rights while he was holding a democratic majority.  In short, he needed an approval rating boost and the gay community was getting restless with his lack of action.  To quote twitter:

"DEAR GAYS: Here is a bone. Really, it's the best we got right now.#SoTU" - laurennmcc