Cheney defends his silence on gay marriage in 2000

[July 30, 2012]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- Dick Cheney says he didn't see the point of raising the issue of gay marriage in the 2000 presidential campaign, even though he supported it.

The former vice president suggested it wouldn't have done much good and probably would have sunk President George W. Bush's prospects for office. "Why?" he responded to ABC News when asked in a televised interview whether he should have pushed harder for gay couples to marry.

Cheney's daughter, Mary, married her longtime partner this June.

Cheney said of the wedding: "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."

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.