Sen. John McCain continued his defense of the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy. | REUTERS McCain: 'Don't ask, don't tell' works

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) took a swipe Sunday at President Barack Obama's call to repeal "don't ask, don't tell," saying the policy is working and that overturning it is a political ploy from an "inexperienced" leader.

Obama's call to repeal "don't ask, don't tell" amounts to "a political promise made by an inexperienced president or candidate for president of the United States," McCain said on CNN's "State of the Union."


McCain, the GOP's 2008 presidential candidate and ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, continued his months-long defense of the policy that prohibits gays and lesbians from openly serving in the military.

"The military is at its highest point in recruitment, in retention, in professionalism, in capability," McCain said." "To somehow allege that this policy has been damaging the military is simply false."

The Pentagon is set Tuesday to release the results of its study into the policy's effect on troop morale and its recommendation on the future of "don't ask, don't tell." Additionally, two top American defense officials are slated to appear on Capitol Hill this week to discuss the report.