Democrats Struggling To Make Any Headway.

WASHINGTON -- Senator Joseph I. Lieberman, the Connecticut independent, said Thursday that he and other opponents of the military's ''don't ask, don't tell'' policy on gay service members had secured the votes to authorize its repeal -- provided that Senate leaders allow a free-flowing debate on the wider military policy bill that includes the repeal. The renewed confidence expressed by Mr. Lieberman, who is a senior member of the Armed Services Committee, came as Democrats struggled to make any progress on the most pressing issues confronting Congress in its lame-duck session. House Democrats failed in a bid to extend jobless benefits, raising the prospect that aid could run out for millions of Americans headed into the holidays. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]