News
McCain Endorses "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Policy
Ellen J. Silberman, Boston Herald
Presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain yesterday said he would "absolutely
stop" abuses of the military "don't ask, don't tell" policy which have
forced dozens of gay people from the military.
Despite the abuses, McCain said he would keep the policy – which forbids
military personnel from revealing their homosexuality and their superiors
from asking them about it – if he were elected president.
"I support the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy because Gen. Colin Powell,
Gen. Norman Schwartzkopf, all of the military leaders that I respect and
admire came up with this policy," McCain said. "They thought it was the
best way to address a very difficult problem within our military."
McCain's stance sandwiches him between Texas Gov. George W. Bush, who
supports the current policy, and Democratic contenders Vice President Al
Gore and former Sen. Bill Bradley, who have said they would allow gays to
serve openly in the military.
McCain also reiterated a recent promise to meet with Steve May, a gay
Arizona state legislator who is on the verge of being kicked out of the
Army Reserve.
"He believes that he is being unfairly treated," McCain said during a
90-minute town hall-style meeting at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy
School of Government. "I believe that as his senator I should communicate
with him and determine whether that is the case."
May's sister, Shannon, a Harvard student who challenged McCain to change the
policy, said she was disappointed in the Arizona Republican's response.
"It was reminiscent of a lot of the speeches that were given back after
World War II regarding desegregation of the army at that point and the
arguments against putting African Americans in the same barracks as
Caucasian soldiers," said May, a Republican who once worked in McCain's
press office. "What I think is most disappointing in his answer is that
he's a man that people flock to for his charismatic leadership because
he'll fight for them on their issues, and I think this is one issue that
has an incredible lack of leadership," she said.
But McCain's willingness to meet with Steve May drew praise from the Log
Cabin Republicans, a homosexual group that has been rebuffed by Texas Gov.
George W. Bush, the Republican front runner.
"McCain is showing extraordinary leadership in being willing to talk to
Steve May," said Abner Mason, former national president of the group.