Cheney defends daughter on gay marriage

As his two daughters publicly feud over gay marriage, former Vice President Cheney is stepping in to defend daughter Liz Cheney (R), who is running for the Senate in Wyoming.

{mosads}Cheney and his wife, Lynne Cheney, released a statement saying Liz has always opposed gay marriage and defending her treatment of her sister, who is openly gay.

“This is an issue we have dealt with privately for many years, and we are pained to see it become public,” the older Cheneys say in a statement.

“Since it has, one thing should be clear. Liz has always believed in the traditional definition of marriage. She has also always treated her sister and her sister’s family with love and respect, exactly as she should have done. Compassion is called for, even when there is disagreement about such a fundamental matter and Liz’s many kindnesses shouldn’t be used to distort her position.”

Dick Cheney supports gay marriage. 

Liz Cheney, who is running against Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), has been put in a tough spot on the issue. A socially conservative group has been airing ads accusing her of supporting gay marriage. She’s insisted she’s always opposed it. After she asserted that again on Sunday, both Mary Cheney and her wife took to Facebook to rip her for the stance.

“Liz — this isn’t just an issue on which we disagree — you’re just wrong — and on the wrong side of history,” Mary Cheney wrote in the public note to her sister.