Atlantic's Marc Ambinder: Why is McCain Red Hot on Don't Ask, Don't Tell?

[flpoljunkie]

Feb 2 2010, 4:33PM

Why Is McCain Red Hot On Don't Ask, Don't Tell?

by Marc Ambinder

As has been noted by virtually everyone now, John McCain in 2010 is not the John McCain of 2006. And that might be the reason for his white-hot rage at the Defense Secretary and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, both of whom endorsed an end to the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy today. Long-time McCain aides couldn't point me to a specific incident when McCain changed his mind. And he did change his mind:

And I understand the opposition to it, and I've had these debates and discussions, but the day that the leadership of the military comes to me and says, Senator, we ought to change the policy, then I think we ought to consider seriously changing it because those leaders in the military are the ones we give the responsibility to.

That's not unclear. Given today's developments, McCain should support the DADT repeal. He does not. Theory one is that he's worried that J.D. Hayworth will use it against him in the primaries. Theory two is that McCain has come to believe that Gates and Mullen undercut Stanley McChrystal and David Petraeus at key moments during the Afghanistan debate. Theory three is that McCain, who, has, in private, expressed disdain at his party's anti-gay stances, has changed his mind and now has a different view of homosexuality.

http://politics.theatlantic.com/2010/02/why_is_mccain_red_hot_on_dont_ask_dont_tell.php

[BOSSHOG]

1. Isn't it sad when a candidates strategy

involves hating more then your opponent to wooo voters of a certain stripe? Fuck you McCain; go ahead and lower yourself to the likes of a failure and limbaugh twin. And Bravo to Admiral Mullen.

[flpoljunkie]

2. Yes, it's rather pathetic. It seems McCain will do or say anything to cling to power.

[jefferson_dem]

3. I would put money on #1...though we all know McCain is really closer to ... #2.

If you know what I mean. Ack... :hide:

[Zenlitened]

4. Theory #4: McCain is suffering a form of dementia...

... that first became evident in the 2008 campaign.

I'm not kidding. :(

[zulchzulu]

5. Not even a theory: Johnny Songbird is one of the Keating Five...

McCain is a fraud. His anger is aimed directly back to himself for disappointing his father and Barry Goldwater. Just as he got preferential treatment as a son of military family to fly planes he should never had been allowed to, just as he was one of the Keating Five, just as he kissed George Bush after Bush questioned his sanity, just as he chose Sarah Palin, McCain is one who actually is a shell of a person.

Would McCain change his mind on DADT during an election year for political theater? You better believe it. Just as he historically wants to cut benefits for veterans, he surely would take the easy road and bend like a coward if only to keep the precious seat in the Senate.