Cheney on Daughters' Feud: 'Compassion Is Called for'

Dick Cheney has weighed in on his daughters' public feud over gay marriage, defending Liz, whose spat with Mary is threatening to overshadow her Senate campaign in Wyoming. "This is an issue we have dealt with privately for many years, and we are pained to see it become public," the former vice-president and wife Lynne said in a statement. "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," the Cheneys continued. Mary Cheney, however, who is married to a woman, says she refuses to be tolerant of a sister whose position is to "treat my family as second-class citizens." The former vice president—who has spoken in support of marriage equality since leaving office—is heavily involved in Liz Cheney's Senate bid and appears keen to prevent the sisters' spat from becoming a campaign issue, notes the New York Times. It's not the first time the sisters have disagreed on the issue. (More Dick Cheney stories.)