McCain still vowing to fight repeal of 'Don't ask, don't tell'

Republican Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) came out swinging Thursday against momentum to overturn the U.S. military's controversial "Don't ask, don't tell" policy regarding gays in the military, saying he hoped to press the fight on the Senate floor.

On Tuesday, both Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen told a Senate committee they supported a repeal of the policy, as President Barack Obama called for in last week's State of the Union address.

McCain stopped short of saying he believed he had the floor votes to block any repeal — as he has threatened with funds to try terror suspects in civilian courts — but said he plans to press the issue as long as he can. The 2008 presidential nominee noted that the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars groups had both expressed their opposition to overturning the policy.

"I hope the administration and others will pay attention to that," McCain said. "I'd also like to point out that Admiral Mullen had said he was speaking for himself and himself only. He was not speaking for the military. It's my understanding that there are different opinions among the joint chiefs. Those should be heard and valued as well. This was a campaign pledge made by the president, not initiated by the military, and we're in two wars."

Asked directly if he believes he can block a repeal, McCain said he didn't know but noted that the Armed Services Committee will be holding hearings on the policy. McCain is the committee's ranking Republican member.

"I don't count votes, but I know what the American public opinion is," McCain said. "We're going to have many, many hearings, and as I've said before, I'm going to listen to the opinion of the military. I'm also going to listen to our veterans."

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