McCain Says He'll 'Absolutely Filibuster' Dont Ask, Don't Tell

Oct. 17, 2010— -- John McCain said today he would "absolutely filibuster" any attempt to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gay men and women serving openly in the military if it came to the Senate.

"Absolutely I will filibuster or stop it from being brought up until we have a thorough and complete study on the effect of morale and battle effectiveness," the four-term incumbent Republican senator from Arizona told KPNX-TV in Phoenix on the station's "Sunday Square Off." "That is the position of the four service chiefs."

McCain, who this year is seeking his fifth term in the Senate, said he still wants the four military service chiefs to review the policy and then provide their advice.

On Monday, a federal judge in California ordered an immediate, worldwide halt to the enforcement of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy that bans openly gay and lesbian individuals from serving in the U.S. military.

U.S. District Court Judge Virginia Phillips ruled last month that the policy is unconstitutional and should be ended immediately. But Phillips gave the Obama administration two weeks to make the case against a worldwide injunction.

The Obama administration is appealing the judge's decision, taking the stand that Congress should end the compromise measure introduced by former President Bill Clinton in 1993.