NEW: McCain grudgingly says confirmation of defense pick should proceed

WASHINGTON (AP) - Sen. John McCain says the confirmation of President Barack Obama’s choice for deputy defense secretary should move forward despite concerns about his role as a former defense lobbyist.
   
The Obama administration made an exception to its ban on hiring lobbyists in nominating William Lynn, who lobbied for Raytheon, one of the military’s top contractors.
   
White House press secretary Robert Gibbs has said that the rules require “reasonable exceptions” for “uniquely qualified individuals.“
   
McCain says it’s “a bit disingenuous” to announce strict rules and then waive them for one of the most important jobs in Washington.
   
Still, he says, “we need to probably move forward” with the nomination.
   
The Pentagon announced Friday that Lynn will sell his stock in Raytheon. But he won’t be forced to step back from decisions related to his former employer. Instead, his dealings at the Defense Department will be subject to ethics reviews for one year.
   
McCain, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, appeared on “Fox News Sunday.“