Team McCain Comes Out For Gay Marriage

The marriage-equality movement has gained traction amongst and unexpected demographic: the John McCain campaign.

Several key members of McCain's failed presidential bid have announced their support for legalized gay marriage in recent days -- most notably McCain's daughter, Meghan.

The latest addition is even more of a shocker: Steve Schmidt, McCain's former chief strategist. In a speech scheduled for later today in front of the Log Cabin Republicans (a group whose name seems to suggest that Abraham Lincoln was gay), Schmidt will make the argument that conservatives should support same-sex marriage on principle.

Schmidt will use a speech Friday to Log Cabin Republicans, a gay rights group, to urge conservative Republicans to drop their opposition to same-sex marriage, CNN has learned.

"There is a sound conservative argument to be made for same-sex marriage," Schmidt will say, according to speech excerpts obtained by CNN. "I believe conservatives, more than liberals, insist that rights come with responsibilities. No other exercise of one's liberty comes with greater responsibilities than marriage."

"It cannot be argued that marriage between people of the same sex is un American or threatens the rights of others," he says in the speech. "On the contrary, it seems to me that denying two consenting adults of the same sex the right to form a lawful union that is protected and respected by the state denies them two of the most basic natural rights affirmed in the preamble of our Declaration of Independence - liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

Also in attendance at the Log Cabin Republicans gathering will be Meghan and -- believe it or not -- Cindy McCain. Could the Senator be next?