Cheney on gay marriage: 'Freedom for everyone'

[Duncan Grant]

WASHINGTON – Former Vice President Dick Cheney said Monday he supports gays being able to marry but believes states, not the federal government, should make the decision.

"I think, you know, freedom means freedom for everyone," Cheney said in a speech at the National Press Club. "I think people ought to be free to enter into any kind of union they wish, any kind of arrangement they wish."

Cheney, who has a gay daughter, said marriage has always been a state issue.

"And I think that's the way it ought to be handled today, that is, 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," he said.

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Even Darth Vader (edit: er, Cheney) gets it (if only on a state by state basis). Well, this should give the right-wing morality freaks at Concerned Women for America, Focus on the Family, etc. something to think about.

You realize that Dick is now offering more leadership on this issue than some Democrats. How weird is that?!

edit: Darth Cheney

[lapfog_1]

1. "a shot at that"

figures that Darth would put it in those terms.

[Chulanowa]

2. Whenever a Republican talks about "State's rights"...

They're saying they hope the measure in question fails as often as possible. They're not willing to risk a national decision, so they'd rather have 50 chances for oppressive laws.

Cheney doesn't "get it" - he's using the same codeword language that got started with Goldwater.

[Duncan Grant]

3. Cheney says he supports gay marriage.

I find this a fascinating political development.

[Zenlitened]

4. Yep.

Unfortunately, so is Pres. Obama, whether that is his intention or not. "Let the states decide" is not an endorsement of marriage equality. Too often, as you rightly note, it's just the opposite.

What is encouraging here... is how much progress the GLBTaA (and Allies) community has made.

When even an ogre like Cheney has confronted the simple fact that gay children deserve the same love and support as any other child... and that these children deserve a chance at happiness, fulfillment and security just like anybody else...

Well, when even an ogre like Cheney finds all this to be the suitable default position... that's a sign of progress.

Now if only our Democratic leaders could move beyond the 'suitable default position.'

Because, frankly, I'd expect Democratic leaders to be a bit more progressive than Darth Cheney on an issue like this.

:(

[keepCAblue]

5. Same is true for Dems, including our sitting president. n/t

[Sebastian Doyle]

6. Freedom for everyone..... whose last name is Cheney

I'm not convinced that Darth is all that concerned about any other gay people. Or any other straight people, bisexuals, transgenders, or any other form of sentient life, for that matter.

[Duncan Grant]

7. I know but he says he's for gay marriage.

How are the hardest of the hard right (his only fans) going to interpret this? I think it's a stunning moment for the GOP -- like an alien spaceship landing at a tractor pull...

[dickthegrouch]

8. No Recs? This is the most amazing news EVER

There is a (one) reason not to deport him to the taliban.

[insleeforprez]

9. This shows the value of being OUT

Even a neo-con like Dick Cheney will support marriage equality if he knows and loves someone who is gay.

Come out people! Wherever you are!

[RetiredTrotskyite]

10. K&R

I know I might be in a minority, but at least these people are moving in the right direction. What is the excuse of some of our own people--like Obama? It takes at least some courage to say even the little Cheney has said in his circles. Let's see some courage from the President we all voted for. Let him move beyond the correct default position.

[sui generis]

11. States should not have "rights" that exceed or trump civil and human rights.

Call me a federalist but screw the state's rights bullshit. That's the 800 pound lipstick and tiara wearing gorilla in the pink tutu that Cheney is so cleverly sidestepping by ceding the term "marriage".

[One_Life_To_Give]

12. Parent of a Gay child

Like so many people on issues like this. When directly confronted with the issue opinions change. His love for his daughter outweighed any bigotry he had. And this is the reason peoples opinions are changing. It's easy to discriminate against "them", "those", anymous faceless things. But discriminating against Tom or Sara is much more difficult.

[cecilfirefox]

13. Thank you Mr. Vice President. nt