'Awkward moment' for McCain on DeGeneres Show

Perhaps presidential candidate John McCain should have known what to expect when he appeared Wednesday on the Ellen DeGeneres Show.

In a preview clip that the hosts of MSNBC's Morning Joe called an "awkward moment," DeGeneres raised the topic of her upcoming marriage to Portia de Rossi, saying to McCain, "let's talk about the big elephant in the room."

"I think that people should be able to enter into legal agreements," McCain replied uncomfortably. "I just believe in the unique status of marriage between man and woman."

However, he went on to reassure DeGeneres, "We just have a disagreement, and I along with many, many others wish you every happiness."

"Thank you," DeGeneres replied. She added teasingly, "So you'll walk me down the aisle? Is that what you're saying?"

"Touche," McCain acknowledged.

McCain opposed a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage in 2004, but he later stated that he would support such a ban, and he attacked Romney's statements of support for gay rights during last winter's primaries. There has been recent speculation that he might try to turn the recent California Supreme Court decision legalizing gay marriage into an issue for the general election.

This video is from ABC's American Moring and MSNBC's Morning Joe, broadcast May 21, 2008.



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