WATCH: John McCain's Meltdown Before "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Vote

Once considered a voice of some optimism in the Republican Party for repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", Sen. John McCain has been determined to fight repeal until the bitter end.

"Today is a very sad day," said the four-term incumbent before the historic vote. "I'm aware this vote will probably pass the lame duck-session. And there will be high-fives all over the liberal bastions across America and on cable news programs ... most by people who have never served or known anyone who has. I hope that when we pass this legislation that we will understand that we are doing great damage."

In 2006, the Arizona Republican had a vastly different position. "The day that the leadership of the military comes to me and says, 'Senator, we ought to change the policy,' then I think we ought to consider seriously changing it," he said at the time.

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is in favor of gays serving openly in uniform. And the overwhelming majority of troops surveyed said they are not concerned about repeal ... and most knew of fellow troops who were gay and they served with distinction. But as always, McCain and his fellow right-wing ideologues will be on the wrong side of history. Thankfully we won't have to hear their speeches much longer.

Watch the meltdown AFTER THE JUMP ...

Comments

[Cedric]

2006??? Now you know John can't remember that far back! These career Politicians need to go!!!!

[Tim]

It was really hard to listen to his bigoted, pathetic, shameful speech. I history remembers him at all, he will be remembered with the likes of George Wallace.

[FREELEO]

HAHA!

[Raheem]

Shameful

[Butchie]

I think McCain is just afraid that someone is going to make him come about about his relationship with Lindsey Graham...He must remember those lonely nights in those Navy warships with no one to hold except a young midshipmen....Once they all come out, there will be no one left for the "straight" soldiers to creep with in the midnight hours...

[Butchie]

That should be "come out about"

[Ronald]

John McCain is simply awful and should crawl into a hole somewhere. And, to think he actually could have been President with Palin a mere heartbeat away. That's enough to give a healthy person cardiac arrest. This should speak loudly and clearly to those who think we can afford to sit out elections.

[guest]

Anyone got a clip of the below: McCain shouting at Liberman?
Wash Post reported --"DADT vote was only half an hour old when the Arizona Republican burst onto the floor from the cloakroom, hiked up his pants and stalked over to his friend Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.). Ignoring Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), who had the floor, McCain hectored the men noisily for a few moments, waving his arms for emphasis.

When McCain finally stormed off, Durbin shook his head in exasperation and Lieberman smiled. A minute later, McCain returned - he had apparently remembered another element of his grievance - and resumed his harangue.

It turns out McCain's tempest was needlessly stirred - he had wanted more time for the debate, which the Democrats eventually gave him - but that was typical. It doesn't take much to set off McCain these days."

[Taylor Siluwé]

Yeah, Ronald. If McCain had won we wouldn't have this historic day of repeal.

I think McCain is not only terrified of gay men (for whatever reasons), but he also doesn't want Obama to have any success at all. None. Zero. He hasn't cracked a smile since the '08 election.

The whole GOP establishment are like that as well - but for McCain, who understands what a shellacking feels like, it's very personal.

[ff]

i'm not sure he changed his position according to the quote above. he said he would "consider" it. He did and he wasnt in favor of it. He's old and doesnt understand how times change.

I think as Taylor posted, he is mad that Obama continues to move forward on his promises and guys like him want absolutely no success for Obama and the US in general. It is sad to see Americans relishing things going bad for the US just so they can have more power.

[Diva1961]

It is so sad that McCain said he wanted the questionare to go out to the military and he also said that he would abide by what the top military officals would say.

Now that the research has come back with the military approving (generally), and the top brass agreeing to repeal DADT, McCain suddenly doesn't agree with any of this. He lost all credibility. He is like a child who having a tantrum because the adults won't let him have his way.