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.