A Pentagon survey will show that most troops are not concerned about serving and living alongside openly gay troops. Details of the Pentagon's report, due on December 1, were leaked to the Washington Post.

Repeal of “Don't Ask, Don't Tell,” the military policy that bans gay and bisexual troops from serving openly, would cause only minimal problems, according to unidentified sources who have read the report.

The survey's results are included in a 370-page report on ending the policy.

More than 70 percent of respondents to a questionnaire sent to more than 40,000 active-duty and reserve troops over the summer said the effect of lifting the gay ban would be positive, mixed or nonexistent.

Speaking on CNN, Post writer Ed O'Keefe said that about 40 percent of Marines objected to the change, the highest rate among the armed forces. O'Keefe, however, added that Marine leaders have been vocal in their opposition to repeal. On Sunday, the new commandant of the Marine Corps said his objections to repeal stem from the risk involved to “combat effectiveness.” “This is not a social thing,” the told the Los Angeles Times.

“You know the Marine Corps is one that really does follow the orders from the top,” O'Keefe said. “And when you hear your branch's top leadership raising questions about this, it no surprise that perhaps there is a little more skepticism among the rank and file lower down, who are probably hearing this not only from the commandants but they may also be hearing it from other commanders slightly higher than them.”

Pointing to the survey's use of the outmoded and derogatory word “homosexual” to describe gay men and lesbians, and its overwhelming focus on the potential drawbacks of repeal, leading groups lobbying for repeal called the survey biased against gay troops when it rolled out in July.

Pentagon officials were forced to set the policy aside for 8 days last month after a federal judge in California issued an injunction against its enforcement. The Obama administration appealed the ruling and the policy was allowed to return. Gay GOP group the Log Cabin Republicans, which is challenging the law, has asked the Supreme Court to set aside the policy as the case wends its way through the courts. In reinstating “Don't Ask,” Defense Secretary Robert Gates stiffened its requirements, allowing only secretaries of the armed forces the authority to separate a service member under the law.

President Barack Obama has said he agrees that the law should be repealed but is pursuing an appeal because he's looking for a “durable” solution from Congress. In an interview with the gay media, the president rejected claims that he was trying to have it both ways.

Repeal advocates remain hopeful that the Senate will take a second look at repealing the 17-year-old law during the lame-duck session of Congress that begins Monday. Arizona Senator John McCain is reportedly working to strip the repeal provision from a broader defense bill.