Staff editorial: Sleeping with the enemy
July 14, 2004
Vice President Dick Cheney has been betrayed by his own wife.
Lynne Cheney made a bold move Monday by publically contradicting her husband's stance on gay marriage. She advocated that the decision to legalize gay marriage should be left up to states. She should be lauded for her courage to transcend the will of her party and affiliation.
Such a development is also noteworthy because one of the Cheneys' two daughters is a lesbian. Mary Cheney, currently the director of vice presidential operations for the Bush-Cheney re-election campaign, held a public role throughout her father's campaign in 2000 and aided the GOP by recruiting gay constituents during the 2002 midterm elections. She has been less visible when traveling with the vice president as gay marriage has become a more controversial campaign issue.
The statement is especially powerful after a radio address made by President Bush on Saturday. He stated that legalizing gay marriage would "redefine the most fundamental institution in civilization" and that a constitutional amendment is needed in defense.
In recent speeches, Republicans have said their motivation to block gay marriage is the defense of traditional marriage and the well-being of children. Unlike other Republicans, Lynne does not allow the constraints of her party or union to limit others' choices.
Lynne proves that, in some cases, personal conviction should take priority over labels -- be it "wife" or "Republican."
That's a lesson we can all learn from.
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