Ellen has one again used her talk show to shine a spotlight on gay rights. When John McCain stopped by her show on his "reinvention" tour, the host decided to press him on the big news in California and in her own personal life: marriage.
DeGeneres, who announced last week that she and partner Portia de Rossi will be getting married, decided to "talk about the big elephant in the room. And she wasn't talking about McCain.
Ellen explained to McCain that even before the Supreme Court's ruling, she and de Rossi had planned to have a ceremony that summer. DeGeneres asked McCain to explain his thoughts on same-sex marriage as the crowd cheered her on.
McCain's awkward response and video after the jump...
A visibly uncomfortable McCain answered:
I think that people should be able to enter into legal arrangements. I think that is something we should encourage, particularly in the case of insurance and other areas--decisions that have to be made. I just believe in the unique status between man and women, and I know that we have a respectful disagreement on that issue.
DeGeneres continued:
We are all the same people, all of us. You're no different than I am. Our love is the same. 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.' It feels like we are not, you know, we aren't owed the same things and the same wording.
McCain said she articulated "that position in a very eloquent fashion." He then went on to say that despite their "difference of opinion" he wishes DeGeneres and de Rossi "every happiness." You know- the old "I think you are a second class citizen, but I still like you" response...
The ever quick DeGeneres then quipped, "So you'll walk me down the aisle?"
Way to go, Ellen! She has again used her show to talk about LGBT issues, much like when she spoke about Lawrence King and Sally Kern. Putting our issues into day time talk in such a positive way is a powerful tool for change.
Plus, I just love seeing McCain sweat.
Check out the video:
iPhone users: Click to watch
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4 Comments
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Well think about this even though Senator McCain didnt give the right answers he at least went on her show.GW wouldnt have been caught in the same room as her let alone on her show.
Cathy | May 23, 2008 6:11 PM
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McCain has called his wife a 'cunt' in public so what can one expect????? He's beyond prehistoric.
MissVicki | May 23, 2008 6:50 PM
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When McCain's face went slack I think he knew that he was beginning a long, slow, downward slide. He is not my candidate, but I have to say that he did show guts even coming on Ellen's show. This decision will be reviewed in the innermost bowels of the McCain camp, and I expect in future to see more "George W" moments of pre screened crowds and less real debate.
Thanks Waymon, this even made the news on CNN in Asia! Miss Vicki, Ellen is the Gay "cunt" who was heard around the world! Such justice!
Robert Ganshorn | May 24, 2008 2:46 AM
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I agree that McCain showed courage in going on the show when he had to know she would bring up the subject. He should have prepared better though - that's just political common sense.
I ♥ Ellen.
Bil Browning | May 24, 2008 11:36 AM
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