(CNN) - Sen. John McCain, perhaps the Senate's most outspoken voice in favor of military action in Syria, was caught playing poker Tuesday at the first congressional hearing about giving the president authority to use force in the war-torn country.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee grilled the panel of top Obama officials, including Secretary of State John Kerry, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey.
While McCain spoke up when it came his turn, a Washington Post photographer snapped a photo of the Arizona Republican trying his luck in the meantime.
The senator later explained his poker habit on CNN's "The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer."
"As much as I like to always listen with rapt attention constantly (to) remarks of my colleagues over a three and a half period, occasionally I get a little bored and so I resorted," he said, chuckling. "But the worst thing about it is I lost thousands of dollars in this game."
He followed up, saying it was only "fake" money.
He should lose his real money! Lost any respect I had for this guy!
so happy he's having such a good time while we debate the killing and the possible death of our children, ain't it grand.
Thanks god he's not our president! Obama playing golf and now this guy
Civilians have been gassed, the Middle East is once again on the brink of war, our nation is having a critical debate about possible military involvement at a time when we face economic hardship, and McGrumpy is playing a freakin' VIDEO GAME?!?!?
At his salary and benefits, not to mention his responsibility, if he can't pay attention for a couple hours without needing some kind of infantile distraction, then he should be SEND HOME on the next plane!
And the GOP wonders why people are sick of them ...
How pathetic. Our country has absolutely gone to seed. I thought it was bad enough with the GenXer's sitting in meetings with these toys, but a tenured senator!!!! Almost make Palin look smart.
I don't blame McCain for playing with an App. He knows what his vote is and the whole thing is probably boring. I would have done the same.
And those are the people we're suppose to rely on based on decisions they are making.
Obama rests his foot on the desk, something we've seen Republicans, Democrats, and Whigs, etc, and the country goes into shock mode, but McCain....from my state sigh...and excuses are coming fast a d lame.
I have had to sit in many meetings and conferences that were a lot less important than deciding if we should attack another country. Not once did I see an attendee playing video games. They would have been fired immediately.
John McCain is yet another example of every single thing that is wrong with this country and specifically our congress.While John Kerry lies through his teeth (to no critical pressure from McCain) and tens of thousands of innocent women and children are at stake, McCain not only plays poker, but then laughs it all off as if it's some sort of joke.
This man – and our entire congress – disgusts me.
If a working American did that, he'd be fired.
Shame on McCain.
He is not fit to be a Senator!
This dude has been in Congress waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too long.
And he'd be paying more tax while working, than most of the 1%, so would have little to fall back on.
If I was caught playing poker at work I would be fired.
The president was playing spades during the Bin Laden raid. Why wasn't that news?
John McCain has gravitas and credibility. Like Sarah Palin has.
Don"t blame him after listening to Rand Paul talk like a jerk.
Young John McCain to the Old John McCain, "Get out of politics! You're embarrassing me!"
Yeah, it's just your JOB to sit there and listen, McCain. Guess what happens to the rest of us if we play poker on the company clock?
Hmm if I did this at my job I would be fired... just saying.
Wle'll he has something in common with Obama who was playing cards, according to one of his aides, when the Bin Laden op was going down.
And he was almost our President, and commander in Chief. Lucky for us he lost that gamble.
Reminds me of Dr. Strangelove...
Shouting "Yippie!" as he rides the bomb that hurtles into the abyss of another Middle Eastern War.
I'm glad the WAR against Syria which will KILL many innocent kids he so much wants is boring to him.