On Cheney Sisters’ Spat- Father Dick Sides With Anti Gay Daughter Running for the Senate
Breaking their silence about the public feud between their two daughters, former Vice President Dick Cheney and his wife, Lynne, said on Monday that the situation has pained them, but offered some political cover for their eldest, who is seeking a United States Senate seat in Wyoming.
Ed Reinke/Associated Press
Dick Cheney with his daughters, Mary Cheney, left, and Liz, at the Republican National Convention in 2000.
Liz Cheney, 47, was criticized on Facebook on Sunday by her younger sister, Mary, 44, who is a lesbian and objects to Liz’s opposition to same-sex marriage. Mary Cheney and her wife have suggested that Liz has always been supportive of their relationship and have questioned how she can do so while publicly opposing same-sex marriage.
But Dick Cheney and his wife appear to be siding with Liz, and said in the statement that it is possible to be loving toward a lesbian sister and her spouse while not embracing the idea of them marrying.
“This is an issue we have dealt with privately for many years, and we are pained to see it become public,” the parents’ statement said. “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 is heavily involved in his older daughter’s bid for the United States Senate seat in Wyoming and has been helping her to raise money for the race. The Cheneys appear eager to prevent the family feud from becoming an issue in the race.
The two sisters have not spoken since the summer, and Mary Cheney told the New York Times on Sunday she will not reconcile with Liz unless she changes her position on marriage.
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