This morning, Sen. John McCain addressed a panel of military brass at an Armed Services Committee hearing, where he explained again his opposition to changing the U.S. military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy.
At this time, we should be inherently cautious about making any changes that would affect our military, and what changes we do make should be the product of careful and deliberate consideration. I’m not saying that this law should never change. I am simply saying that it may be premature to make such a change at this time and in this manner, without further consideration of this report and further study of the issue by Congress.
Suffice it to say, this is not the first time McCain has addressed these issues.
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Back in March of 2007, his presidential campaign kicked off with a no-holds-barred bus tour of Iowa, where he held fourth for hours with reporters in extended, on-the-record gab fests in the back of the bus. At one point in that ride, a portion I videotaped as a reporter for Salon.com, the issue of gays in the military came up. McCain was asked about comments that had recently been made by the top U.S. Military Officer Peter Pace, calling gay relations “immoral.” He was also asked if he had ever cross dressed, a reference to video that had come out showing McCain’s then rival, Rudy Giuliani, performing skits in drag.
His answer was typically lighthearted.
“No.”
“Not even in college?” asked a second scribe.
“At the Naval Academy it was frowned on,” McCain said. “We caught a couple though. I think my commanding officer …” Everyone laughed.