Cheney Offers Support For Gay Marriage (VIDEO)

Dick Cheney rarely takes a position that places him at a more progressive tilt than President Obama. But on Monday, the former vice president did just that, saying that he supports gay marriage as long as it is deemed legal by state and not federal government.

Speaking at the National Press Club for the Gerald R. Ford Foundation journalism awards, Cheney was asked about recent rulings and legislative action in Iowa and elsewhere that allowed for gay couples to legally wed.

"I think that freedom means freedom for everyone," replied the former V.P. "As many of you know, one of my daughters is gay and it is something we have lived with for a long time in our family. I think people ought to be free to enter into any kind of union they wish. Any kind of arrangement they wish. The question of whether or not there ought to be a federal statute to protect this, I don't support. I do believe that the historically the way marriage has been regulated is at the state level. It has always been a state issue and I think that is the way it ought to be handled, on a state-by-state basis. ... But I don't have any problem with that. People ought to get a shot at that."

Watch:

Cheney has made similar arguments in support of gay marriage in the past, including during the run-up to the 2004 election. But his current comments come at a moment when the Republican Party and conservative movement is increasingly split on the issue. Bush recount lawyer Ted Olsen and John McCain campaign manager Steve Schmidt have both argued in favor of gay marriage. The religious right, as expected, remains opposed.

Caught up in the debate is the Obama administration. The president has said he supports civil unions for gay couples but that he remains committed to marriage being between and man and woman. His press department has been completely quiet about the recent California Supreme Court case upholding a ban on gay marriage in the state -- something that, it seems, Cheney would object to in spirit if not law.

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Comments

[GlennB]

09:10 PM on 06/09/2009

How nice. No really, how nice of him after being the VP of the USA for 8 tumultuous years he speaks.

I just find it sickening that now, after the Republicans are out of the majority in Washington, he finally speaks up - whether it's the truth of how he feels is a whole other news item, isn't it. Why wasn't he talking about all of this stuff [OUT LOUD and WHERE HE COULD BE HEARD] the past 8 years and yes, even prior? No, now he's talking about it all because I personally think he wants his daughter in politics and he's trying to set her up.

Let's face it ... we're becoming more palatable as time progresses. People are finally realizing that we're not only people who love to spend but we definitely get out and vote by big margins.

Thanks for letting me vent a bit!

[starrianna]

08:33 PM on 06/06/2009

"The marriage of two souls..."

I find it OFFENSIVE that "straight" people and "religious" people think they have the right to OWN the word "marriage".

Marriage is just a word. It can mean the marriage of 2 ideas, or of 2 colors, of 2 souls or beings. To disallow its use for any human being is selfish and wrong. And stupid.

[drdalearcher]

11:25 AM on 06/04/2009

I think Dick Cheney coming out and supporting his daughter is a very important step in their relationship, which, in the past, had been reported rocky at best. This isn't about politics, this isn't even about sexuality, it's about a father who loves his daughter.

http://telldrd.com/Blog/BlogDetail.asp?p1=12030&p2=139&p7=3000

[KickerBoard]

04:32 PM on 06/04/2009

Puh-lease!!! You mean like all those fathers who loved their daughters who were bombed in Cheney's Halliburton wars. Everything about Cheney is politics. Save the violins for someone worthier.

[Corral]

01:37 AM on 06/04/2009

Cheney is isolated, frightened, trying to rewrite history because he doesn't want to spend the rest of his life in prison, just in case our government does the right thing and prosecutes these people who broke the law. All he has left is his family (and his billions from oil, weapon deals, etc.)...HIs other daughter has been speaking up for him and he realizes that he needs all of his family. So, he decided to support gay marriage because he needs his gay daughter.

[starrianna]

08:35 PM on 06/06/2009

All Cheney needs is another 84 Ding Dongs until he finally crosses over to The Other Side.

[LemonMeringue]

01:26 AM on 06/04/2009

Why does anyone report his opinion on anything?

He has done enough to harm America.

[luke150]

12:54 AM on 06/04/2009

I love it how he says "we lived with it for a long time". The "gay disease", booo, scary. It looks like every conservative and religious fanatic has to have a gay family member for them to become more flexible on the issue.

[KickerBoard]

09:26 PM on 06/03/2009

So Beelzebub has some mild thoughts on gay marriage (an issue he only cares about because it landed on his doorstep). Big deal. Arrest him, already.

[DeWayne]

08:37 PM on 06/03/2009

I believe Cheney has finally found his calling, bend over Cheney, your following awaits you.

[nogornc]

08:21 PM on 06/03/2009

"Yeah, and I'm black, too! So there, top that!"

[StrayTalk]

08:16 PM on 06/03/2009

Very misleading headline. Cheney is basically saying each state has the right to decide if they want to discriminate against gays when it comes to marriage

[Steven Kippel]

07:46 PM on 06/03/2009

Cats and dogs sleeping together!

I guess Cheney didn't support DOMA then?

[aintnogod]

07:38 PM on 06/03/2009

My marriage feels so threatened!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[b93950]

07:17 PM on 06/03/2009

Again, what ever is good for Cheney, or his family, is good for America, WHAT A FREAKING HYPOCRITE!

[RoadCrossingChicken]

06:29 PM on 06/03/2009

There is no way on earth this man would have said this in the past. Not while he was in office nor when they were running for office.

I dislike him more and more every time he opens his nasty mouth.

[cutesky]

02:16 PM on 06/03/2009

What a BS artist!! If Cheyney's daughter had an abortion, he'd vote for that too! His principals change with the wind!!!