Ellen DeGeneres: October 2008 Archives

Let's face it, there's a lot of gloom and doom out there right now between the economy, the ugliness of the presidential election and the ferociousness of the pro-Prop. 8 forces.
But watching this video made me forget about it all for about five minutes and see if it does the same for you. It's Hillary Swank guesting on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" and it is priceless stuff!

Ellen is a happening gal. But you already know that!

The Associated Press reports that at the end of a long campaign day Tuesday in Florida, Democrat Barack Obama had one more stop: "The Ellen DeGeneres Show."

Ellen got right down to business: "Let's talk about dancing," she said. "Your wife, Michelle, was on the show and she was talking some smack about your moves."

The AP writes: Ellen played music and gave Obama 20 seconds to prove his spouse wrong. He complied, albeit in a decidedly awkward set of circumstances -- standing alone on a patch of concrete and looking into cameras that were to beam him into the studio, as supporters and reporters watched. He gamely grooved a little, though mostly with his arms, before calling off the operation with a smile.

"Michelle may be a better dancer, but I am convinced I am a better dancer than John McCain," Obama said of his Republican rival.

The interview is scheduled to air Wednesday.

Ellen DeGeneres is helping to make a big difference in the fight to defeat Prop. 8, the initiative that would ban same-sex marriage in California. Here is a new message Ellen has posted on her show's website:

Don't Discriminate -- No on 8!
Hey everybody. There're only a couple weeks left before we vote. In California there's a proposition that's trying to take away my right to be married. And if it passes, my marriage will probably no longer be valid.

The supporters of Proposition 8 have raised more than $25 million just to discriminate against same-sex couples who want to get married. That's a lot of money.

I can think of 25 million other uses for all that money:

- How about paying teachers more?
- What about helping those people who just lost their homes in the recent fires?
- How about buying a pony for every child in California? How much fun would that be?!

Don't let them convince you that discrimination is okay just because they can pay for a commercial. It's wrong. Please vote NO ON PROPOSITION 8! I'm begging you. If you vote no on Prop 8, I'll buy you a pony.

Ellen DeGeneres once again has shown that her popular talk show, which is watched in so many places around the country, is the best weapon she has in combating bigortry. In the video above, Ellen talks about GOP VP candidate Sarah Palin's recent remarks that she is in favor of a federal ban on same-sex marriage.

Here is the test of Ellen's very touching and sometimes funny remarks:
"Basically (Palin) wants to change the constitution. So if you're wondering how I feel about it, I don't like it...Maybe it's just because I'm gay that I think we should all be equal, but I feel that we're all created equal."

"People are going to be who they're going to be and we need to learn to love them for who they are and let them love who they want to love."

Well said Ellen!

Let's be clear, I hate that Barack Obama and Joe Biden officially are opposed to same-sex marriage. They are pro civil unions (gee, thanks) Bujt I understand the political realities and that it's a hot-button issue the campaign does not want to have to defend. And so, nice to see Biden speak out against Proposition 8 at a fundraiser in West Hollywood last night:

My pal Ted Johnson writes on his Wilshire & Washingtoin blog:
At the event, Biden told IN Los Angeles magazine journalist Karen Ocamb that he opposes Proposition 8, which would ban same-sex marriage in California. He had just finished taping an episode of "The Ellen Show" that will air Monday, and expressed his opposition to the measure to host Ellen DeGeneres.

At the vice presidential debate with Sarah Palin, Biden said that he opposes same-sex marriage. Obama holds the same position, but also has said he opposes Proposition 8, citing the fact that it would write a restriction into a state constitution.

Here's some of an ABC News report from his appearance on Ellen's show set to air Monday: As Biden entered to David Bowie's "Changes", DeGeneres quipped, welcoming the Democratic vice presidential candidate the same way his Republican counterpart did at the onset of their October 2 debate: "Can I call you Joe?"

"Yeah, as long as you wink at me," Biden replied.

Biden also hit out at Plain for turning down an offer for a second vice presidential debate.

"Gov. Palin said she'd like to debate me more," Biden said. "Coincidentally, we'd been asked by a national police group if we'd each appear in a debate and I agreed to do that and she decided not to do that."

Biden also told DeGeneres, who recently married actress Portia de Rossi, that he opposed Proposition 8, an amendment on California's November ballot which would amend the state constitution to define marriage as solely between one man and one woman.

"If I lived in California, I'd clearly vote against Prop 8," Biden said.

There were those who were critical of Ellen DeGeneres for not writing a big check to the NI on Prop. 8 campaign. The beloved talk show host, newly married to Portia de Rossi, has responded in a big way: The campaign announced today that Ellen has made a media buy to urge Californians to vote NO on Proposition 8.

The effort was partially revealed Tuesday when Ellen released a special video to confront false and misleading scare tactics used by those supporting the proposition. DeGeneres is purchasing television time for her ad to underscore the importance of this fight and broaden the reach of the spot.

A familiar face like Ellen, so popular across the board, is so needed in commercials to combat the very effective ads that have had an impact on the polls. It's a dogfight until election day but those who favor equal rights for gays and lesbians in this state have got to feel like there is a real fighting chance of beating back the challenge.

"In her desire to speak directly to the people of California, Ellen has stepped up as only Ellen can," said Patrick Guerriero, Campaign Director. "Her voice has a tremendous ability to elevate this conversation above the scare tactics and help people understand what's at stake for the people they know and care about. Her generous contribution to the campaign comes just at the right moment - and is done in a way that ensures her conversation with voters continues to Election Day. And it delivers our message that Proposition 8 is unfair and just plain wrong."

Ellen's video can be viewed on line at: www.NoOnProp8.com

"Fair-minded Californians agree that we should not eliminate the fundamental rights of our neighbors, our friends, our co-workers and our family members," said Kate Kendell, Executive Director of National Center for Lesbian Rights. "Like Ellen, fair-minded Californians are going to vote no on Prop 8."

This is something that is so needed. Ellen DeGeneres in a spot urging people to vote no on Proposition 8, citing her personal story, belief in equality and mentioning the millions the opposition has raised to air all those "twisted" commercials. I hope to see this spot airing on television as much as those other ones!

This is what Ellen says in the spot:

Hi, I'm Ellen DeGeneres. I got to do something this year I never thought I'd ever be able to do: I got married. It was the happiest day of my life.

Please, please, vote NO on Prop. 8.

The NO on Prop 8 campaign, Equality for All, today thanked Ellen for releasing the video to confront what they say are the false and misleading scare tactics being used by the proponents of Prop 8.

"Ellen DeGeneres is someone Californians know and respect," said Patrick Guerriero, Campaign Director. "Her voice has a tremendous ability to elevate this conversation above the scare tactics and help people understand what's at stake for the people they know and care about."

I have some mixed feelings about this letter but if it helps to raise more money in the fight against Proposition 8, it will be worth it. I just want to say that I believe Ellen DeGeneres has done more for visibility of gay marriage than just about anybody because of the widespread coverage of her wedding to Portia de Rossi. I'm not sure she should be criticised.

Anyway, graduate student Jacob Reitan, former director of Equality Ride, has written this letter to Ellen and it has been posted on Advocate.com which added this editor's note: According to the California secretary of state's campaign finance records, as of last Friday, Ellen DeGeneres -- like some other gay celebrities -- has not donated to the campaign to beat Proposition 8. Her publicist didn't return calls seeking comment.
Dear Ellen,

Jacob Reitan

I missed Ellen DeGeneres on Jay Leno last night (I was watching Charlie Rose and don't realize she;d be on). But here's a clip and I also have a bit of a transcript from my pal Karen Ocamb:

Jay Leno - "I don''t get it. If two people want to have something together....the economy is falling apart.

Ellen - "That's exactly right. There are ...I just think that... I look at the people who are losing their homes and they're foreclosing - and people in Texas who have lost homes....there are so many people that need money right now - and if you're raising millions of dollars - give it to those people because you don't need to promote hate. So
No on 8 everybody."

Jay - "There's so little love in the world - I know it's corny - but God belss them...I think if two people want to be together - what do I care?"

Ellen - "Well, I don't think that's corny to say there's not enough love in ther world because it's true and we're going through hard times right now. .."