GOP presidential hopeful Fred Karger has said that President Barack Obama should run on his gay rights record.

Karger joined Rachel Maddow on her MSNBC show on Friday.

When Maddow asked if Obama's support for gay rights was an asset, Karger, who is openly gay, answered in the affirmative.

“Absolutely. You know, we're seeing the poll numbers that have changed so dramatically in the last five years, where a majority of Americans now support gay marriage, not just, you know, repealing 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.'”

Karger gave the president a C+ on gay rights.

“He could have worked a little harder on the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' We had to rely on Susan Collins of Maine and Joe Lieberman, but it got done. We're making progress.”

Karger also weighed in on the recent string of gay marriage victories.

“The state legislatures should be making these decisions. Should not be left to the will of the people. This is a civil rights issue,” he said. (Watch the entire interview at MSNBC.)