Dick Cheney Admits Politics Prevented Him From Supporting Gay Marriage
Former Vice President Dick Cheney has revealed that although he has long been a supporter of same-sex marriage, he did not speak out in support of the issue during the 2000 presidential campaign because it could have harmed former President George W. Bush's chances of winning.
When asked why he did not make a case for same-sex marriage during an interview by ABC News, he said that "it wouldn't have done much good and probably would have sunk President George W. Bush's prospects for office," The Associated Press reported.
Cheney has been a supporter of same-sex marriage ever since it was revealed that his daughter, Mary, is a lesbian. She married her longtime partner last month.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
"I'm sure it was fine. We wished them well. She wanted to avoid having it be a media circus or having it become part of the political debate. So Lynn and I were very proud and happy and congratulated them," Cheney remarked on the marriage.
The former vice president made his support of gay marriage quite clear in June 2009, where he said at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. that "freedom means freedom for everyone."
"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 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 today, on a state-by-state basis. Different states will make different decisions. But I don't have any problem with that. I think people ought to get a shot at that."
Speaking on a variety other issues and mistakes he felt the Republican Party has made in recent times, Cheney highlighted that former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin was the wrong choice as vice president for Sen. John McCain during the 2008 election.
"I like Gov. Palin, but based on her background, she had only been governor for, what, two years?" Cheney said. "I don't think she passed that test... of being ready to take over as president."
