Gates Dismissed McCain's Repeal Concerns

In late September, Sen. John McCain sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates expressing his concern that the Pentagon's review of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy was operating under the assumption that "the policy will be repealed" instead of studying if changes should be made.

"I urge you and Admiral [Michael] Mullen to modify the review and the survey instrument, or to conduct supplemental surveys, aimed at ensuring that the question of whether the DADT policy should be changed is answered," McCain wrote in the September 28 letter.

Gates responded on October 25 in a previously unreleased letter, explaining that it was not a referendum on the policy. "I do not believe that military policy decisions -- on this or any other subject -- should be made through a referendum of Servicemembers."

Click here to read more from the letter.