John vs. Cindy McCain

The Real Debate Over DADT

Politics really do make strange bedfellows: just ask husband-and-wife duo John and Cindy McCain.

John McCain, a former Navy pilot, is the Senate’s biggest booster for the continuation of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. But not long ago, Cindy McCain—his loving partner—released a video for the gay rights group NOH8 in which she criticized DADT.

“Our political and religious leaders tell LGBT youth that they have no future,” says Cindy in the video. “They can’t serve our country openly.” She went on to suggest that the controversial policy gave bullies an incentive to bash gay youth, who might then attempt suicide. Bloggers and pundits had a field day over the increasingly divergent views of the McCains, and gays clung to the hope that Cindy might talk some sense into her husband.

But less than 24 hours after the video came out, she backtracked on her stated support of DADT repeal. She tweeted, “I support the NOH8 campaign, and all it stands for, and am proud to be part of it. But I stand by my husband’s stance on DADT.”

Okay, Cindy: so which is it?


What Do You Think?