John McCain lauds Barack Obama's strategy on 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show'

We can't tell if this is a barometer of how the fall general election might feel, but John McCain today compliments Barack Obama on his political acumen in a televised interview on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," a curious appearance for a candidate still trying to gather support from the Republican Party's social conservative base.

Host Ellen DeGeneres asks McCain about Obama's contention that "a vote for you is basically a vote for" a third George W. Bush term. Says McCain: Good strategy.

"I think it's a very intelligent campaign tactic. Obviously the president's popularity and approval ratings are low. So I think it's a pretty good tactic. I don't think it happens to be true, and I believe that I can show people not only where we have diverged, but serious differences: the issue of climate change, which is a huge issue out there in the state of California; the issue of spending; the way the war in Iraq was conducted for nearly four years, which was terribly frustrating. So -- but basically, rather than me beat up on the president, the point is I've got to show my own vision and plan of action for the future of the country.  And I think that's what Americans usually, and this time, they will vote for."

DeGeneres, who is planning her own gay wedding this summer, also asks McCain about the recent ruling by the California Supreme Court affirming gay marriage -- a flash point for religious conservatives (the video excerpt is here). DeGeneres lumps laws banning gay marriage with those that denied blacks and women the right to vote, and "Jim Crow" policies. McCain says "people should be able to enter into legal agreements, and I think that that is something that we should encourage, particularly in the case of  insurance and other areas." But: "I just believe in the unique status of marriage between man and woman."

DeGeneres has none of that. "It just feels like there is this old way of thinking that we are not all the same," DeGeneres says. "When someone says, 'You can have a contract, and you'll still have insurance, and you'll get all that,' it sounds to me like saying, 'Well, you can sit there; you just can't sit there.'"

How does a politician respond to that? With a compliment preceding a "fuhgeddaboutit." Says McCain: "You articulate that position in a very eloquent fashion. We just have a disagreement. And I, along with many, many others, wish you every happiness." DeGeneres: "Thank you. So you'll walk me down the aisle?  Is that what you're saying?" McCain: "Touché."

Obama and Clinton, it should be noted, hold similar views to McCain's on gay marriage.

-- Scott Martelle

Photo Credit: Michael Rozman/Warner Bros.

Comments

[Talia B]

McCain may say he believes in legal contracts; however, he's spent the past 4 years pandering to the far right. McCain2008 is a very different person for McCain2000. If he resembled McCain2000 more closely, he might be able to garner a larger percentage of votes from Democrats. However, the Faith of My Fathers (http://www.booksonboard.com/index.php?BODY=viewbook&BOOK=226207 - ebooks and audiobooks version, which is actually narrated by McCain so it's kind of cool) McCain no longer exists, sadly.

[Carol Anne]

Ellen and Portia are not planning a "gay wedding." They are planning a wedding.

[Xavier]

McCain proved what a novice he is; not something we need, again, in a president. He may be a fine war hero but he is not a good candidate to lead this country. He was condescending about Sen. Clinton, bascially adding her name as if she's a nobody. Typical boys club mentation. We are in the 21st century and need a president that will be forward thinking like Sen. Clinton. Just my humble opinion.

[el]

Has ANYONE stopped and asked where is all the money coming from for OBAMA? $25 donations through the internet. From Where and from Whom. Be afraid, be very afraid.

[me]

nah, that wedding is gonna be soooper gay

[kris]

$4.00 a gallon gas!! Will somebody PLEASEE talk about that. It's killing me and those guys are just flapping about Iran etc.. talk gas!!

[David Saia]

Obama and Clinton ... similar views???

On Meet the Press, Sen. Obama stated that he would grant to same-sex couples all 1,100+ federal rights, privileges, and provisions currently afforded to opposite-sex couples.

Clinton would not, McCain would not.

If you consider opposing two-thirds of the legal ramifications of marriage for some people about the same as supporting them, then, yeah, you could say they're similar.

[413-330-1794]

given the brevity of so many marriages it's hard to understand why anyone would care who marries who, unless of course one of the who's is already married and that's a bridge the new morman candidate for vice president , mitt romney will be able to provide guidance with.

[Justice]

Reading between the lines, McCain appears to be "ok" with gay marriage, only he dare not say so for fear that Conservative constituents will take this as an affront.

He is a moderate Republican, and will clearly be the choice, should the Democratic party stupidly declare Obama as their nominee.

None of the candidates will openly agree they favor gay marriage... BUT they are all in favor of giving them rights!

[hanester]

Hillary came right out and siad she supported same sex marriage on the Ellen show.
Obama has said he will leave it up to the States (so rithg now we have equal civil rights in one State and not much hope in most States)and clearly Mc Cain supports a "legal agreement" ie civil unions but not marriage...and he can barely talk about that in his normal setting...wake up people even the author got it wrong in this article. read their websites and listen to what they are syaing.

[jelly bean]

Why the gay people insist on the word "marriage", why force others to accept that "marriage" is not for only for opposite sex? If they want people to accept who they are, did they ever consider how other feels?

I am all for accepting gay couples share the exact same status and benefit with opposite sex marriage. But please use another word to represent the relationship.

Even the dictionary says so. Of course, definition can change and I believe it happens often. How about this, let has a vote on the matter. However, I think the gay activist will just say we (the straight) are discriminating them. Oh, one more thing, the meaning of "marriage" is universal (at least on Earth), how rude is American's gay couples demand the definition to be changed just for their own pleasure.

[Hmmm]

Can anyone tell me where this marriage idea originated from?

[Frank US]

Do John McCain or conservative republicans respect the moral foundation of this country? The U.S. Constitution was designed to protect the people of America from misguided government.

U.S. Constitution: Amendment I - Freedom of Religion
Right now, for the first time ever, your tax dollars are funding religious groups you may not agree with. To add insult to injury, conservative judges have ruled that taxpayers do not have a right to challenge this expenditure.

Amendment IV - Search and seizure
Under the guise of court action against abortion, Conservative republicans had John Ashcroft subpoena all the medical records of literally thousands of women just like you and members of your family. Conservative republicans are invading your privacy every day. Unfortunately for all of us, they don't appear to care about our U.S. constitution, or by extension, the people of our great country.

Amendment X - Powers of the States and People
John McCain and conservative republicans have tried consistently to overturn States Laws. They used your tax dollars to destroy the will of the people of Oregon, and the famous "Death with Dignity" law; they lost, but undoubtedly will try again. Conservative republicans and John McCain do not respect States Rights.

Amendment VIII - Cruel and Unusual punishment
Would you rather die, or support a government which supported and sanctioned torture? The founding fathers would rather have died, and in fact they were proud to fight and die for our government: A government which specifically outlaws cruel and unusual punishment for very important reasons.

John McCain and the conservative republicans are destroying the moral foundations of our country. I urge you to keep this in mind in the coming election as we rebuild our nation together by voting Democrat.

[RR]

Same sex 'marriage' becomes an emotional semantic baiting issue; 'marriage' has an etymology which suggests male/female union. Wedding is more of a contractual pledge derivation. Ellen & Portia's would be a -gay- wedding. We're all people deserving of equal rights but some people can't respect the feelings of tradtion, and put them down as bias if it isn't all inclusive to their wants, when the feelings are simply traditional. Courts need to acknowledge gay weddings, sure. "We're getting wedded" or 'Will you wed me?' doesn't roll of the tongue as easily unfortunately, as married/marry. Legal ramifications should be recognized, and lay off the semantic demands. Let the traditionalists have their marriages and let the same sex couples have their weddings, for the nonce.

marry (v.)
1297, from O.Fr. marier, from L. maritare "to wed, marry, give in marriage," from maritus "married man, husband," of uncertain origin, perhaps ult. from "provided with a *mari," a young woman, from PIE base *meri- "young wife," akin to *meryo- "young man" (cf. Skt. marya- "young man, suitor"). Said from 1530 of the priest, etc., who performs the rite.

[Rajah Kahn]

That is the reason I will VOTE for McCain, he was GENUINELY straightforwrd to the people who were listening, and DeGenneres, whoever this overrated lesbian is, McCain answered iwth conviction and truthfully...Go McCain

[wlbill]

Question? Can two gay/lesbian sisters marry in CALIFORNIA, or is that considered incest? Sisters living together could sure use the same consideration as gay couples get in a legal union. Lets be fair now Senator McCain..

[Stella H. Brinkley]

quote: "Ellen and Portia are not planning a "gay wedding." They are planning a wedding."

Right, it's not a "gay wedding," it's a sick lezzy game. Wacko sickos. Get some help.

[Bo]

Marriage should be left to each religion, the government should not be in the marriage business. The government needs to stop regulating marriage and offer a civil union to all couples and leave the marriages to the various religions. This way the government does not infringe on religions that may not recognize a gay marriage. It allows all to marry in their own marriage ceremony and offers all a civil union for legailty.

[Mateo]

The $25 donations are coming from people like me. I am 30 y/o male, married,2 kids, and make less than 65k per year. I have donated $150 dollars so far and will continue to donate. The economy is tough but, its gonna get tougher if we seat McCain. In 2000, when Bush sandbagged McCain I was furious. I would have voted for him over Gore. Now...Let's just say "he's losing it". He is the past. We are the future. Sorry boomers, it's time to pass the torch!

[frank burns]

I am a guy, married to a woamn, and if gays can marry, that is an attack on my marriage. Gay marriage attacks heterosexual marriage. By attacking my marriage in this way, it is shows that they will stop at nothing to be aggressive and attack us. I just want to live at peace with my wife, without being attacked all the time by these gay marriages. I wish they would leave well enough alone.

[Jeff]

Please STOP calling it GAY MARRIAGE! Even this title is separatist. It is a MARRIAGE, without prejudice.

[Pierre]

you sir, are an idiot.

[John]

My cat is really cool, so I want the personal freedom to pursue a marriage with my cat. I love my cat. I want to marry anyone I see fit. The government should not be able to tell me who I can and can not marry. It's my life and I want to do with it as I see fit. Keep the government out of my bedroom and out of my personal life. I love my cat.

[Ray]

Marriage, in our society, is far and away a legal contract. Look at all the financial and legal arrangements that begin with MARRIED/DIVORCED/SINGLE/WIDDOWED.

It is also a public statement of ones affection and love for another person; a very public commitment to be with that person and exclude all others.

Marriage is also changing in our society. It is no longer a requirement for co-habitating or for having children. In some european countries fewer than half of the couples with children are legally married. In NJ, over half of the "couples" forming civil unions are heterosexual.

So it seems silly to discriminate against gay/lesbian couples who choose to bond in a public statement of commitment and, thereby, earn the full set of legal rights and privileges society has assigned to "married" folks.

Get over it.

Ray

[CM]

"Ellen and Portia are not planning a "gay wedding." They are planning a wedding."

So... they aren't gay? You object to a gay wedding being called a gay wedding? Its not a hetero wedding. We don't call them hetero weddings, because 99% of them are. Get used to it.

[gasd]

Can anyone tell me where this marriage idea originated from?

Your parents dumby....

Unless they were gay... then some guys sperm injected into a misc. woman

[Lu]

Thank youi! $25 comes from "average" folk who really don't have it to spend but feel a cause for positive chage is needed. Beware to you.... remember this: Experience does not always equal Wisdom.

[Joe]

> Has ANYONE stopped and asked where is all the money coming from for OBAMA? $25 donations through the internet. From Where and from Whom. Be afraid, be very afraid.

From US Citizens like myself. They then report our names to the government so that the Bush administration can check up on us. If there were anything unseemly happening, don't you think that the Republicans would be quick to point it out?

Nice appeal to fear, BTW. It's a great way to persuade people when you don't have any facts to support your position. No doubt it's why we heard so much of it during the Republican primaries, especially from 9-11 Rudy "vote for me or the terrorists will kill us all" Giuliani.

[CM]

"Please STOP calling it GAY MARRIAGE! Even this title is separatist. It is a MARRIAGE, without prejudice."

Not going to happen. Marriage is between one man and one woman. Anything else is a deviation from that, so it's going to have a footnote. (Kinda like Greek or Catholic or Jewish - except homosexuality isn't a race or nationality, just a lifestyle choice.) No state supreme court inventing rights that did not exist can change that. The world may tolerate homosexuality (as I do) but don't ask us to accept it, its never going to happen. You got your tolerance, but stop asking for special rights and forcing us to accept it. Most will draw the line there.

[Joe]

> Can anyone tell me where this marriage idea originated from?

Because there needed to be a legal arrangement in place to help couples raise kids. Until more recent measures like adoption and surrogate mothers, that really didn't happen very often among homosexual couples.

That said, previous societies have been both more and less accepting of the arrangement than our current society.

[ObviObama]

"Has ANYONE stopped and asked where is all the money coming from for OBAMA? $25 donations through the internet. From Where and from Whom. Be afraid, be very afraid."

...I just gave him money. If you aren't sure about his record...

http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/summary.php?cid=N00009638&cycle=2008

Obama:
Individual contributions - 100%
Money Undisclosed - 6.2%

McCain:
Individual contributions - 91%
Money Undisclosed - 12.7%

#s from The Center for Responsive Politics in Wash, DC

Case closed.

[Jerry EZ, TEXAS]

TO el: Your comment as to where Senator Obama gets his campaign donations, the answer is 1.9 million supporters that donate an average of around 95$ -$200. Now that is REAL support, don't you think!!

How much has Hillary raised from supporters less the LOBBYIST? -$20 million in the hole and counting, BE AFRAID, VERY AFRAID!!!

If she can't budget her own campaign how can Hillary fix our ECONOMY and reduce our $9 trillion dollar deficit that she helped by voting for this IRAQ INVASION and not learning the first time gavve the O.K to Cheney/Bush forwar with IRAN. What a leader she would be with ALL her EXPERIENCE, thank GOD Obama is as you may call him, INEXPERIENCED!!

WEll, he has done a fine job with that INEXPERIENCE and made some very POWERFUL and INTELLIGENT decisions, including I hope, NOT PUTTING A CLINTON ON THE TICKET WITH HIM. NO MORE CLINTON, CORRUPTION, LIES< SCANDALS< SHADY BUSINESS DEALINGS< MURDER< FRAUD ETC......

[Louise]

The government should get out of the marriage business. It was started by the church and should have stayed with the church. If religions want to be biased and bigoted and ruled by fear of change and thereby marginalized, it is their god-given right.

[Uncledaddy]

There is one over-riding flaw in the idea of "gay" Marriage. It has nothing to do with the joining of two diverse people, straight or gay. It has to do with the fundamental responsibility of the joining, the procreation of the race. The human race.
I only have one objection to this practice. There is no positive gain for the society at large. One of the fundamental buillding blocks of any society is family. Which includes progeny. One question needs answering, from where will the progeny for the next generation come? I am apalled that people who have a "chosen" lifestyle ask to be made special for it. Those who live without responsibility to the society, should not ask for the society to view it as any more than it is. A cipher, something which exists but gives nothing to the society as a whole. I mean, let's face it, if we were all to adopt the lifestyle of proud "gay" people, there would be no human race.
For this they want reward. Because of this they should be pitied. The loss of the race because they have a need to express a sexual preference is ludicrous at best and irresponsible at worst. Giving in to the pressure of people who will add nothing to the society is ridiculous.

[Tony]

Umm...
Gay+ Marriage = Gay Marriage.
Why is anyone offended by that?

Should i be offended if someone calls me straight? I am straight.. so if anyone says it, i dont certainly mind.

And thank you for the people who acknowledge that you dont have to agree with something to accept it. McCain believes in the rights. Even if (And i stress "if" because i dont know the man personally) he doesnt personally agree with things, he will still back thier rights.

McCain/Romney 08!!

[CM]

Any has the right to marry. Marriage is a union between a one male and one female human, of legal age, not related to you. EVERYONE has that right. The Gay DECEPTION is that they don't have that right. They do. They want to change the right to fit their definition. This is NOT about EQUAL rights, this is about NEW rights to accommodate their agenda of forcing the acceptance of gays on the rest of us. So much so that they object to it even being called "gay marriage". How dare we call it what it is! So what is next? People marrying kids, polygamy, Incest? Its all fair game with the court inventing new rights (not their job).

[gasd]

"> Can anyone tell me where this marriage idea originated from?

Because there needed to be a legal arrangement in place to help couples raise kids. Until more recent measures like adoption and surrogate mothers, that really didn't happen very often among homosexual couples.

That said, previous societies have been both more and less accepting of the arrangement than our current society."

So are you only allowed to get married if you plan on having kids again? or should we change the wording to "two people ( which again is bad for the swingers and so forth ) that have sexual relations"

Dictionary:
Married,
example: "Bill Clinton and Monica where having Married Relationships"

[Roy]

So, why can't we rename an Apple to a Orange. Two entirely different acts, unions, deseases, or whatever are defined by their own name. Perhaps we should call Cancer Heart Disease, it would confuse a lot of people, but might make the cancer patients feel better. Or. we could rename the moon as Mars, would make the trip easier I suppose. I have no problem with whatever gays decide to do, but like any concept that is new, it deserves its own name. Someone came up with "Internet", not data type digital transmission over phone and/or wireless connection".

[Jerry]

Ellen and all her friends can swim in all the "main-streams" they feel like. None of it will ever make them "normal", or "right".. Sorry.. McCain's best quality, on the other hand, is that he would be the least destructive of the two "goofy" people running for this watered down honor.. Anyone pushing the "human" based Global Warming scare, is either very insensitive, stupid, or plain doesn't mind offending people with actual "analitical" intelegence.

[catalexis]

It never fails in this country does it? When the blessings of equality are extended to yet another group of people to whom they had been denied there will be some asshole standing there with a bible in his hand saying "No,no, no, not THEM!"

[LaDell]

Let's look at the biology. Males produce 23 (if I remember right) chromosomes. Females produce 23 chromosomes. When they make a baby it takes one of each sex to accomplish this. That is what sex is about --making babies and raising them to be mature, productive human beings. That is the basis of the contract with the state. If a man and woman agree that they will add to the population, and hence the welfare of the state, that union is sanctioned by the authority of the state and by the people. If you look at the social statistics, the importance of having a strong, nuclear family is that it strengthens the community. There is more acting out in school, crime and other anti-social behavior among boys who do not have fathers. The primary relationship between father and mother is the primary source for the psychological well being of the children-more important than the relationship of child to parent.

A union between man and man, or woman and woman is based on selfish interest and does not contribute to the welfare of the state (meaning the people, not the government). No matter how much a gay/lesbian couple want children, it isn't the way biology set it up. And I wonder who designed the laws of biology? Hmm. If you take God out of the equation, you are still not going to have your genes swimming around in the pool. That's planned obsolescence to the max. If you believe in God, then you see the intelligence in the commandments. He knows how to make his children secure and productive. In the meantime, he's trusted us with the ability to procreate and gave us the instructions on how to get it right. It just takes committment and patience. "A man's reach should exceed his grasp, else what's a heaven for?"

[BJ]

1)
Mateo,
How in the world is a gay marriage an attack on you, or your wife, or your life together? Gay couples live together and carry on committed, life-long relationships just like the rest of us; they are already doing this. The only thing banning gay marriage will accomplish is depriving homosexuals the same joy and happiness I hope you have found in your own marriage. It has NOTHING to do with you. NOTHING.

2)
Hanester,
Dictionaries define the use of words we use in society; we don't use dictionaries as a guide for how we live in society.

3)
Lastly, McCain can't appeal to the religous right/ hardline conservatives and Reagan Dem's/ moderates/ independents at the same time. He base to the right is totally at odds with voters in the middle who liked him so much in his 2000 run.

[Natalie]

Uncledaddy:

One word -- adoption.

The world has 4 BILLION people and counting. The human race is not under any danger of going extinct.

[Brad]

Uncledaddy,
"Gay marriage" is not an offensive term, it's just ignorant. Adding the adjective just unecessarily adds a stigma - it's an attempt to cheapen it. It is two gay women getting married, not a "gay weding". Let's use an example.

When old people (or racist young ones) say "oh, you mean that colored boy?"

Or when schools are referred to a the "blacks' school?"

Have you ever gone to a wedding? Did you say, "I'm going to a - Straight wedding? Jewish wedding? Trailer park wedding? Midget wedding? Catholic wedding? ...this weekend. How'd you refer to it?

I'm guessing you referred to it as "my friend's wedding" or "my sister's wedding".

Adding the "gay" term just makes it seem like a freak show, and as much as some of you think it is, that's just wrong.

[Paul]

ok, let's complicate this a little further. I'm a guy, married. My wife and I are both gay. Completely legal in every state and every country. We had a gay wedding. We are a gay couple. So, what's the issue here?

[Mike in Sac]

Nice of McCain to seem to give Obama a compliment, but it really is not one. He is brushing off what Obama is saying and just chalking it up as some kind of political tactic or strategy.

McCain has changed so many of his policies around and accepted those of Bush. He really does represent more of the same policies and Obama pointing this out is NOT just a tactic or strategy. It is the truth.

We are at war, broke, losing our middle class (jobs, homes, price of food and gas), lost almost all of our international reputation, and have a corrupt political system.

We are in trouble and it is appropriate to point out that this trouble stems from Bush, AND that McCain will continue the policies that got us here.

Wake up and STOP arguing about gay - lesbian - straight this or that. Get real people and think about a bigger picture! Our future!

[smarter than you]

"That is the reason I will VOTE for McCain, he was GENUINELY straightforwrd to the people who were listening, and DeGenneres, whoever this overrated lesbian is, McCain answered iwth conviction and truthfully...Go McCain
Posted by: Rajah Kahn | May 22, 2008 at 11:41 AM"

lol. you are stupid. do us all a favor and blow your brains out.

[david]

There is nothing that says that the sole purpose of marriage is for the procreation of the race. The United States government has NEVER stated a reason for why it recognizes marriages. People marry for a multitude of reasons. And news flash: Marriage isn't required for procreation. The reason gay marriages should be recognized is simple: seperate but equal is inherently unequal, and "domestic partnerships" really are not enough. Gays should demand more.

Furthermore, the state allows recognition of gay adoption and children by surrogates. Another reason why the denial of gay marriage is ridiculous.

Personally, I don't know why people are so offended by gay marriage. For straight people, does it really somehow effect you? No. it doesn't. But it does strengthen the relationship between gay partners if they feel that they are truly "married."

[ad]

We should get rid of State / Federal Marriage all together. I'm unfortunatly a father of 3 kids with a stay at home wife. These State / Federal marriage benefits suck compared to what we could have.

I mean, i could easily pay single taxes with-out the crappy $400 dollars a year per child tax benefit.

I mean my wife could get free housing / awsome tax benefits on her own as a single mother.

Then all the mean while we could still be married in our catholic church.

[nick in california]

The award for best parody of the truly silly arguments of right wing zealots goes to Frank Burns for:

"I am a guy, married to a woamn, and if gays can marry, that is an attack on my marriage. Gay marriage attacks heterosexual marriage. By attacking my marriage in this way, it is shows that they will stop at nothing to be aggressive and attack us. I just want to live at peace with my wife, without being attacked all the time by these gay marriages. I wish they would leave well enough alone."

Well done, sir, well done.