Senator John McCain wants gays and lesbians to think of him as being gay-friendly, or, at least, gay-comfortable. For instance, he has kept mum on gay nuptials in California set to begin next week. And a recent appearance on Ellen DeGeneres' daytime talk show where he gently spars with the openly-out DeGeneres on marriage was suppose to appear respectful of gays.

For gay rights group Human Rights Campaign (HRC) that was not enough. In a new video and campaign, posted at its hrc.org website, the nation's largest gay rights group argues that McCain is no friend of GLBT people.

The video hits major anti-gay moments in McCain's voting record and concludes that a “President McCain will mean four more years of anti-gay policy in the White House.”

The group includes a report titled: “Senator John McCain: A Record of Opposing the Interests of GLBT Americans.” The report is a comprehensive look at the Senator from Arizona's stand on every major gay, lesbian, and transgender issue. McCain opposed the federal Employment Non Discrimination Act, a bill which sought to end GLBT discrimination in the workplace. His was the deciding vote against the bill. Three times – 2000, 2002 and again in 2004 – he voted against expanding the federal hate crimes law to include sexual orientation. McCain continues to believe gays and lesbians should not serve in the military and supports the military's policy of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'. In 1996, he voted for a federal DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) which prohibits gay couples from receiving federal rights and benefits – even if they are legally married. In 2006, McCain supported and campaigned for a state constitutional amendment to ban any recognition of gay couples in his home state of Arizona (the first to fail). Senator McCain has voted to confirm President Bush's conservative judges to the Supreme Court.

“We've witnessed President Bush over the last seven years repeatedly side with ultra-conservatives and the religious right at the expense of protections for GLBT Americans. Judging by his record, a McCain presidency would be another four years of more of the same,” said Human Rights Campaign Vice President David Smith in a press release.

HRC, however, was buoyant in its endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama. In a prepared statement, HRC President Joe Solmonese said of the endorsement, “Senator Obama has consistently shown that he understands, as we do, that, GLBT rights are civil rights, and human rights... I know that Senator Obama's vision is one of equality, fairness, and justice for all of us.”

Obama welcomed the endorsement. The HRC press release included his statement, “The Human Rights Campaign has been at the forefront of the fight for GLBT equality and opportunity, and I am proud to have its endorsement. Too often, the issue of GLBT rights is exploited by those seeking to divide us. But at its core, this issue is about who we are as Americans.”

Despite its endorsement, HRC does not give Obama a perfect score on GLBT issues. HRC's Democratic Presidential Report Card noted that the Senator does not support gay marriage, opting instead for civil unions.