Liberal comedian Jon Stewart once again lampooned Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) over his continued opposition to repealing the military's Don't Ask Don't Tell (DADT) policy, saying the senator is quite behind the times with his stand. "Well you're really going down with the ship, huh," he ripped navy veteran McCain's remarks.
"McCain's like one of them Japanese soldiers living on Okinawa in 1949, still fighting because he doesn't realize the war ended a long time ago," Stewart quipped. "And for some reason, even though he's been alone for years and years on this island, he doesn't like gay people."
Stewart opened his Thursday show with an eight-minute segment covering the DADT debate, in the wake of a published study by the military showing that the majority of servicemen polled don't mind serving with gay comrades. He trumpeted soundbites from multiple figures who support a repeal of DADT – including remarks from Sen. Joe Liebermann (I-Conn.), a usual target of Stewart's mockery.
Of course, Sen. McCain was next on the list. Stewart described him as "a man who in 2006 said he would revisit his views on Don't Ask Don't Tell if and when military leadership said it was time."
"Then, when they said it was time, he said well, he'd need to see a study. And now that that study has been done – well this should be interesting," Stewart continued.
The "Daily Show" host then played the response of Admiral Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, praising it. "I think that landed," Stewart added approvingly. He then showed clips from the movie Monty Python and the Quest for the Holy Grail in which a knight gradually loses an arm, another arm, and then his limbs in a swordfight – in a parody of the disintegration of McCain's argument.
A transcript of the segment, which aired on December 2 at 11:00 p.m. EDT, is as follows:
JON STEWART: We begin tonight with "Don't Ask Don't Tell." Legislation was enacted in 1993 designed to allow gay people to serve in the military, as long as they told their colleagues that the picture of the ripped, topless and bejean-shorted fireman that they had in their footlocker was Cousin Rico. It's the type of civil rights compromise legislation that typically precedes the more historic "Alright! You can have your civil rights!" Act. The House of Representatives has already voted to repeal. But what about that moody b****, the Senate?
(...)
STEWART: Oh no, don't look now. Don't look now, here comes ol' droopy dog, the Senate's Debbie Downer. (Whiny voice) Here's why I don't think we should.
(Video Clip)
Sen. JOE LIEBERMANN (I-Conn.): This country, from the beginning, was defined not by its borders, but by our values.
Every generation has realized those rights better, because they weren't realized at the beginning.
It's just wrong and un-American to discriminate against people based on their sexual orientation.
(End Video Clip)
JON STEWART: (Applauds) Well done, sir. I take the droopy-dog back. That is as fine a Hannukah gift that has ever been given!
(...)
STEWART: But really, there was only one senator that mattered in today's hearings – John McCain, a man who in 2006 said he would revisit his views on Don't Ask Don't Tell if and when military leadership said it was time. Then, when they said it was time, he said well, he'd need to see a study. And now that that study has been done – well this should be interesting.
(Video Clip)
Sen. JOHN MCCAIN (R-Ariz.): I'm troubled by the fact that this report only represents the input of 28 percent of the force who received the questionnaire – that's only six percent of the force at large.
(End Video Clip)
STEWART: Well you're really going down with the ship, huh. McCain's like one of them Japanese soldiers living on Okinawa in 1949, still fighting because he doesn't realize the war ended a long time ago. And for some reason, even though he's been alone for years and years on this island, he doesn't like gay people. Alright Chairman Mullen, you want to address his concerns?
(Video Clip)
Adm. MULLEN: It was an extraordinarily positive response, when you talk about 28 percent of the 400,000 surveys that were sent out to the men and women in uniform, and the 150,000 to our families – more than statistically significant in all the key categories.
(End Video Clip)
STEWART: I think that landed.
(...)
STEWART: So McCain's position weakened – what say ye, McCain?
(Video Clip)
From the movie "Monty Python and the Quest for the Holy Grail, KNIGHT: 'Tis but a scratch.
(End Video Clip)
(Laughter)
STEWART: He doesn't really have to listen to Admiral Mullen, see, because McCain said in an interview recently "In all due respect, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs is not directly in charge of the troops." Wow. Admiral Mullen?
(Video Clip)
Adm. MULLEN: With all due respect, Mr. Chairman and Sen. McCain, it is true that as chairman I am not in charge of the troops. But I have commanded three ships, a carrier battlegroup and two fleets. And I was most recently a service chief myself.
(End Video Clip)
(...)
STEWART: So the survey's pretty representative, Admiral Mullen has actually commanded fighting men – but he's still got a couple of limbs! Have at it, McCain!
(Video Clip)
MCCAIN: Certainly an issue of this magnitude deserves that leaders take into consideration the views of their subordinates.
Leadership is soliciting the views of your subordinates...
At least solicit the views of the military about whether this should be changed or not.
(End Video Clip)
STEWART: This is the survey -- didn't ask for their views? (Reads from the survey) If Don't Ask Don't Tell is repealed, how would it affect how service members in your immediate unit work together to get the job done? How would it affect how you trust each other, and pull together to perform as a team? How would your job performance and personal morale be affected?
(...)
STEWART: But perhaps most disappointing to Sen. McCain is the lack of leadership displayed by military brass regarding the policy.
(Video Clip)
MCCAIN: Everything I ever learned about leadership, everything I ever practiced about leadership, every great leader I've ever known always consulted with the subordinates for their views.
(End Video Clip)
STEWART: They did consult with them. But you know who would be really surprised with Sen. McCain's view on leadership? Sen. McCain.
(Video Clip)
MCCAIN: Leadership and responsibility often entail unpopular actions...
I've take unpopular stands because I knew what was right.
I will never ever take a poll on a matter of national security.
I've been called a maverick, a somebody who marches to the beat of his own drum.
(End Video Clip)
STEWART: So, does that finally beat your drum? (...) We'll be right back.
