Cindy McCain Speaks Out Against DADT While John McCain Defends It (VIDEO)

Sen. John McCain's wife Cindy appears in a new ad that harshly criticizes the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, and government officials and religious leaders generally, over what she and others describe as complicity in the bullying that has led to a rash of highly-publicized suicides among gay youth.

The Republican senator from Arizona has spearheaded opposition to legislative repeal of the military's ban on openly gay servicemembers in the upper chamber, vowing to filibuster if necessary a bill similar to the one that passed the House earlier this year. In the ad from the NOH8 campaign -- an activist group formed in response to Proposition 8, the California ballot measure that banned same-sex marriage -- Cindy McCain seems to be suggesting that her husband is partly responsible for the bullying that has claimed a number of gay teens' lives.

"Our political and religious leaders tell LGBT youth that they have no future," Mrs. McCain says in the ad, which features her alongside celebrities such as Denise Richards and Gene Simmons. "They can't serve our country openly."

After other speakers suggest that laws which limit the rights of gay Americans reinforce that derogatory treatment of them is acceptable, Cindy McCain asks rhetorically, "Our government treats the LGBT community like second class citizens -- why shouldn't they?"

Watch the ad:

This is not Cindy McCain's first appearance in a NOH8 campaign. She was photographed in support of same-sex marriage in January.

(hat tip: John Aravosis

Comments

[mzdragonlady]

06:22 PM on 11/15/2010

Proof that John McCain is going senile.....

[Gigi Jacobs]

04:27 AM on 11/15/2010

Thank you to all that participated in this public service announcement. And to Cindy, prior to your almost withdrawal of what you said, I was so proud of you that if brought me to tears. I thought you were the most courageous of all for taking a position in opposition to your husband. I am a gay female who fortunately knew from the very beginning that it was not of my choice. Therefore I survived all the comments made continually about gays.

But now I see you've almost done a 180. You know your husband has only changed his position, as he has practically every position he was known for, to save his political life.

But Cindy, young gays have died as a result. This is not a joke. Is your husband getting elected more important than one life that was lost? Is it worth 2 lives lost? At what point will your husband stop adding to the rhetoric against gays? At how many lives taken will it matter enough for him to be truthful rather than elected.

I thought you had that courage to do what is right. But now I see it's more important that your husband be elected. If I hadn't stepped in to stop bullying, how many would have died? If you don't step in to stop bullying, how many people will be pushed just over that age to their death of a precious life

My God, Cindy, do the right thing. Please.

[Jamchinadian]

01:52 PM on 11/15/2010

Gigi, your pain comes through loud and clear - as does your disappointment. But have a little compassion for Cindy. It doesn't make sense that she would voluntarily and publicly make a total fool of herself by reversing herself after coming out so strongly, and I think sincerely, against DADT.

Think of how humiliating it must be for her, a grown woman, for her husband to come out and essentially say "Cindy thought she knew what she thinks, but I am here to let you know she thought then, and thinks now, exactly what I tell her to think".

[che1111]

11:24 AM on 11/14/2010

The McCains speak with forked tongues.

[GUSTOV]

02:02 AM on 11/14/2010

another cougar !!
run!!

[GUSTOV]

02:01 AM on 11/14/2010

what is that ridiculous picture of her supposed t portray???

[marilyn 63]

12:26 AM on 11/14/2010

actually this does not seem wrapped to tight for Cindy. how do you do a video against D.AT.D. and then the next day completely reverse yourself .oh!! yeah she's married to John McCain never mind.

[newyorkjoe]

11:33 PM on 11/13/2010

Cindy McCain spoke out against DODT - until she didn't, and recanted.

Now that she got her positive, progressive press, she can go back to her palace in Arizona until she needs her next fix.

[marilyn 63]

12:28 AM on 11/14/2010

sorry i meant D.A.D.T.

[roger g]

08:27 PM on 11/13/2010

Scratching my head on this-- I watch the tape,she clearly says gays are treated as 2nd class citizens and they can''t openly serve. She also did commercials favoring gay marriage so she can't be all bad. It makes me think hopefully that when she talks about supporting Johns view that she is referring to when he said he would vote for repeal of DADT if the military agreed.The results of that have already leaked and the majority of service personnel and their families are in favor of repeal. Oh well,wait and see as usual.

[pietromp]

06:28 PM on 11/13/2010

Any comments on this Miss. Megan McCain?

[pietromp]

06:22 PM on 11/13/2010

How can you call this woman and her husband "human beings", they have no self respect, no shame, they're both liers, no conviction, no sympathy towards other people, should I keep going? I guess they never understood the part that says...and the pursuit of happiness for all"

[tulsey]

05:50 PM on 11/13/2010

Cindy in leopard print "Yes mistress!"

[seeksthetruth]

05:07 PM on 11/13/2010

Apparently, John didn't know Cindy did the ad until after it was released? They must not communicate much.

[blueknight41]

01:52 PM on 11/13/2010

this is what you call a two faced bytch

[syllable]

01:59 PM on 11/13/2010

Not on your life. She is an independent thinker. Healthy families don't think in lock-step.

[brahdog]

02:48 PM on 11/13/2010

she flip-flopped. check it out

[MarkInEugene]

01:29 PM on 11/13/2010

When I see and hear John McCain speak on this subject, I can't help but wonder...

Where are our true wise elders in this society?

It is so unfortunate and unjust that such an angry, hateful man was given the power and influence of a United States Senator. He is fostering misunderstanding and division in our culture while showing no leadership or courage on this subject.

[iconoclast6]

11:58 AM on 11/13/2010

Methinks Johny Mac will be living out in the pool house for a few...

[tulsey]

05:52 PM on 11/13/2010

Which pool? they have so many, John gets confused.