"Respectful disagreement" over gay marriage.

ELLEN DEGENERES, who recently announced plans to marry longtime girlfriend PORTIA de ROSSI, pressed JOHN McCAIN on the issue of gay marriage during an interview to air Thursday on her show.

The Republican presidential hopeful said while he favors same-sex couples being allowed to enter legal agreements for some purposes, he opposes gay marriage and believes in preserving "the unique status of marriage between a man and a woman."

"We are all the same people, all of us," DeGeneres told McCain. "You're no different than I am. Our love is the same." McCain reiterated that the two have a "respectful disagreement" on the issue, and added that DeGeneres had been effective in articulating her position in an "eloquent fashion."

"We just have a disagreement. And, I, along with many, many others, wish you every happiness," McCain said. DeGeneres then shot back with her trademark biting humor. "So you'll walk me down the aisle? Is that what you're saying?" The candidate then broke out in huge laughter, responding only with, "touché."

DeGeneres announced last week that she and de Rossi would get married after California's Supreme Court paved the way for legal same-sex unions.