Watch: John McCain Wants Another 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Study, Says This One Took the Wrong Approach

John McCain discussed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" on Meet the Press, and seems to be unhappy that the results of the Pentagon's DADT study were leaked, cause now he's saying he won't listen to those results:

"I will listen to our military leaders, and not a study that is leaked."

McCain also criticizes the study itself, and says it took the wrong approach:

"All four service chiefs are saying we need a thorough and complete study of the effects, not how to implement the repeal, but the effects on morale and battle effectiveness. That's what I want, and once we get this study, we need to have hearings and we need to examine it and look at whether it's the kind of study that we wanted. It isn't in my view."

I have to believe that McCain was apprised of the questions in the study before it went out, but now that it's not going his way all of a sudden the study is bad.

It appears McCain won't be happy until he has a study that categorically keeps gays out of the military.

David Gregory also asked what he thought of Cindy McCain's recent statements on DADT.

Said McCain: "I respect the first amendment rights of every member of my family."

(Would love to know what went on behind-the-scenes that caused Cindy's swift turnabout.)

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

Cindy McCain Repeals Her View ON DADT

Cindy McCain has issued a clarification, this a day after she appeared in a viral ad for the NoH8 campaign which included her strong words of support for the LGBT community and her objection to the "don't ask, don't tell" policy, a view that is at odds with that of her husband's. In the video she is heard saying "our government treats the LGBT community like second class citizens, why shouldn't they?" and "They can't serve our country openly."

Now it apears as if she's taking back that last bit. Late yesterday, McCain sent out this message on Twitter:

Americablog is fuming:

"Did she lie today or lie yesterday?  Either way, she's a liar, and she should be removed from the NOH8 video because, as of right now, Cindy McCain is a hater.  Not to mention, great message she just sent to gay youth.  If someone pressures you, cave and support hate."

Sounds like she's backpedaling simply because, as Dan Choi pointed out to Keith Olbermann last night, her "very significant" public objection to DADT "underscores the values behind the repeal effort," something her husband opposes.

Watch that interview, which apparently aired before McCain's tweet, AFTER THE JUMP.

Watch: Cindy McCain Speaks Out Against 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' as Part of 'NoH8 Campaign's Anti-Bullying PSA

The NoH8 campaign has just put out an anti-bullying PSA highlighting a range of topics contributing to the way gay and lesbian youth are perceived by their peers, including religion-based bigotry, the disciminatory ban on blood donation by gay men, marriage inequality, and bans on gay adoption.

Notable is Cindy McCain speaking out about gays not being able to serve openly in the military considering her husband is perhaps the biggest impediment in the U.S. Senate to getting the ban lifted. McCain has threatened a filibuster if DADT is attached to the Defense authorization bill, and was recently reported to be trying to make a deal to strip the DADT provision from the bill.

Among the other celebrities who appear in the spot are Tom Bergeron, Gene Simmons, Antonio Cromartie, Denise Richards, Slash, Dave Navarro, Jeff Probst, Bridget Marquardt, Kat Von D, and Dr. Drew.

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

John McCain Unswayed by Family Participation in NoH8 Campaign, Says Palin Will Stump for Him in Senate Race

 

Yesterday I posted the photos of Cindy and Meghan McCain showing support for marriage equality by posing in the NoH8 Campaign. Their participation has not swayed John McCain from his position, the Washington Post reports:

"John McCain's office said in a statement that the Arizona senator respects the views of members of his family but remains opposed to gay marriage. 'Sen. McCain believes the sanctity of marriage is only defined as between one man and one woman,' the statement said."

And then there's this tidbit of information:

"McCain's Senate re-election campaign said Wednesday that his presidential running mate, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, will come to Arizona to campaign for him in March. Palin has been a vocal opponent of gay marriage."

Cindy McCain Gets Mouth Taped Shut for NoH8 Campaign

Here's Cindy McCain's photo shot for Adam Bouska's NoH8 Campaign. Writes Bouska:

"Aligning yourself with the platform of gay marriage as a Republican still tends to be very stigmatic, but Cindy McCain wanted to participate in the campaign to show people that party doesn't matter - marriage equality isn't a Republican issue any more than it is a Democratic issue. It's about human rights, and everybody being treated equally in the eyes of the law that runs and protects this country."

Cindy has, in the past, expressed her thrill at hanging out with gay Republicans. Unfortunately, she didn't speak up about her husband's support of Proposition 8 when it could have made more of a difference.

Cindy McCain 'Thrilled' to Be Hanging Out with the Gays: Twitter

Cindy and Meghan, who is a speaker at their convention this weekend, are even hosting a reception for Log Cabiners. Well, the ones with the "big money."

(via shakesville)