McCain Flip-Flop Endangers National Security

U.S. Sen. John McCain's flip-flopping on the issue of "don't ask, don't tell" would sacrifice national security on the altar of homophobia and his newfound adherence to far-right wing ideology.

In 2006, the Arizona Senator (who spends more time in New Hampshire) told MSNBC viewers that he would agree to overturn the outdated military policy the moment the top military commanders told him it was time. Top commanders said as much yesterday, but instead of saluting, McCain became outraged that the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs would even express an opinion on the matter.

McCain's cynical flip-flop would allow the petty fears of a few to continue to jeopardize the readiness of our armed forces. Top pilots, platoon sergeants, special forces operators and logisticians would be drummed out of the military, simply because a few extremists harbor outdated hostilities toward gay servicemembers.

Retired Brigadier General John Adams wrote in an op-ed to the Arizona Daily Star in August, “All credible studies - as far back as a 1993 RAND report - conclude that openly gay people in the U.S. military have no negative impact on unit cohesion, morale and good order.”

Reached for comment today, Adams said, “My 30 years in the Army taught me that performance and loyalty to our Constitution is what counts. Gender, race, religion and sexuality are irrelevant when it comes to defending our Constitution -- and John McCain knows it. His sudden change of heart is disturbing.”

“Perhaps J.D. Hayworth, darling of the radical right, has forced McCain to swerve hard toward extremism,” said Jeff Rogers, Chair of the Pima County Democratic Party.

"McCain says he 'fears no man,'" Rogers said. "Apparently, that's not true. He's scared to death of J.D. and gay Americans."

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