Ellen & McCain go at it

John McCain went on the Ellen Degeneres' show, and Ellen addressed the "elephant in the room" by bringing up gay marriage. They had a strained, but cordial debate.

McCain is being smart by trying to maintain his independent appeal. He knows that '08 is the Democrats' year. They're going to increase their majorities in the House and Senate no matter what, he wants to be a candidate voters can pull a lever for, even while voting Democratic down the rest of the ticket.

Gay-bate

Last night the Democratic presidential candidates participated in a new kind of debate, one completely on gay issues, televised on the gay network, LOGO.

One by one they sat before a panel of gay leaders and answered questions that centered primarily on gay marriage, the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), and Don't ask/ Don't tell.

Of interest:

- Obama's compared his parents interracial relationship in the 60s to the challenges faced by gay couples today.

- Clinton's opposition to DOMA and don't ask don't tell, two of her husband's "accomplishments."

- Biden and Dodd didn't go.

- Richardson said he thought homosexuality was a choice.

- The GLBT group that ran the event tried to hold one for republicans, but no candidate agreed to participate.