After starring in a video where she
appeared to break with her husband, Arizona Senator John McCain, over
repeal of “Don't Ask, Don't Tell,” Cindy McCain has backtracked.
The 56-year-old McCain clarified on
Friday through a tweet that she is not at odds with her husband over
the policy that bans gay and bisexual troops from serving openly.
“I fully support the NOH8 campaign
and all it stands for and am proud to be a part of it. But I stand
by my husband's stance on DADT,” she messaged her more than 3,000
followers while traveling in England.
The Arizona Senator and ranking
Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee has aggressively
fought against legislative repeal of “Don't Ask, Don't Tell,” the
17-year-old law that has ended the military careers of over 13,000
service members.
For 24 hours Cindy McCain's appearance
in an It Gets Better Project video to support gay teens sponsored by
the NOH8 Campaign suggested she disagreed with her husband on the
policy.
In the video, which stars a bevy of
celebrities, McCain blames discriminatory laws and religious leaders
for driving gay teens to kill themselves.
“Our political and religious leaders
tell LGBT youth that they have no future,” McCain says.
After other speakers say that “these
laws that legislate discrimination teach bullies that what they're
doing is acceptable,” it is McCain that delivers the line, “Our
government treats the LGBT community like second-class citizens –
why shouldn't they?” and as an example she adds, “They can't
serve our country openly.” (The video is embedded in the right
panel of this page.)
Gay blogger John
Aravosis called McCain a liar for her seemingly contradictory
statements at his blog AmericaBlog.com.
“Did she lie today or lie yesterday?
Either way, she's a liar, and she should be removed from the NOH8
video because, as of right now, Cindy McCain is a hater Not to
mention, great message she just sent to gay youth. If someone
pressures you, cave and support hate,” he wrote.