The gay GOP group, the Log Cabin Republicans, have endorsed John McCain for President as the Arizona Senator prepares to accept his parties nomination tonight.

"Sen. McCain is no George Bush when it comes to gay issues. We are much more optimistic and enthusiastic about Sen. McCain," Patrick Sammon, the group's president, said of his endorsement.

The Log Cabin Republicans don't always endorse their party's nominee. The 20,000-member group backed Bush in 2000, but did not endorse him in 2004 over their disagreements with gay marriage.

"Sen. McCain stood with us. Now we stand with him ... Sen. McCain showed courage by bucking his own party's leadership and the president -- twice voting against the amendment," the Log Cabin Republicans said.

The endorsement came after a 10-2 vote of LCR's national board of directors.