Think Progress

VIDEO: Grumpy McCain Repeatedly Complains About DADT Hearing

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) — who previously said that he was open to considering DADT repeal if the military carefully studied the consequences of such a policy change — is nevertheless vocally opposed to lifting the ban after the military released its study indicating support for repeal. From the very first DADT hearing in February 2010 to today’s session, McCain has grumpily refused to consider the views of the witnesses before him. This morning — after reviewing the overwhelming positive DADT report and listening to the pleas of the leaders to end the policy in the lame duck session — McCain went further, openly implying that Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mike Mullen was not living up to the expectations of leadership because he did not ask the troops if they favored repealing the policy. Watch it:

The Wonk Room points out that all of the leaders in front of the commission — Mullen, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, and Working Group chairmen Defense Department General Counsel Jeh C. Johnson and Army Gen. Carter F. Ham — disagreed with McCain’s approach of polling the troops about the policy.