"On 'don't ask, don't tell' I was always the same. I said we needed a complete review of the impact on morale and battle effectiveness of 'don't ask, don't tell' before we repeal it. That's my position now. Now they're trying to ram through a repeal without a - any kind of really realistic survey done"

John McCain is referring to the policy of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" which was a policy in the United States armed force that restricted honestly gay, lesbian, and bisexual people from serving in the military. McCain is saying that he has always been in favor of repealing the policy, however he believes that an extensive evaluation of the effect of the policy on morale and battle efficiency must be conducted prior to it is reversed. He is revealing his frustration that the repeal is being rushed through with no type of study being done. McCain is promoting for a more thoughtful method to the repeal of the policy, one that takes into consideration the potential impacts of the repeal on the armed force.