CNN

they both say marriage is between a man and a woman ONLY.....

But Cheney, who has a gay daughter is in favor of gay marriage--so why did gays vote for Obama when he thinks they have no rights and are consequently less than human??????

Well the dead has arisen and finally made some since on 2 separate issues, 9/11- how Iraq was not involved, and same sex marriage.

Did he mention any of these during his time as V.P.? Why didn't he push to have same sex marriage legalized for all?

I am a far left winger but after listening to Cheney speak yesterday, I started to feel some compassion. This guy only wanted to keep America safe. If you think about it, if someone invaded your home, your first reaction would be to make sure your family was safe.

I still do not agree with alot of the Right Wing ideology!

This is Cheney's master plan for boosting his ratings – get Steele to disagree with you, thus making you look better. It worked...I now give Cheney a 5% approval (vs. 0% I did yesterday).

Cheney has no choice in the matter. It's either lose his daughter, who is the 'only' person who can stand him, or state that he supports 'same sex marriage'. Gay is only a marketing term. There is no such thing as 'gay' marriage.

The biggest issue with 'same sex' marriage is not about who loves who, or who marries who. But most men and women refuse to be put in the same category as the 'sub-group' that choose to live their lives based on sex and sexual activity.

It's really not about impacting anyone else's marriage or anyone's religious beliefs either, but an 'association' that's being rejected.

Maybe it's time for men and women who feel attracted to the same gender to really focus on behavior that enable them to be 'respected' by their society, instead of just being 'tolerated'.

Cheney 2004 said, "But the president makes basic policy for this administration, and he's made it clear that he does in fact support a constitutional amendment on this issue."

Cheney was part of that administration with its basic policy, no matter how misguided it was. I am glad that he speaks more directly to this civil rights issue now.

Same-sex marriage in no way affects the folks who are opposed to it, any more than my neighbor's marriage affects mine.

Don't like the idea of folks of the same sex entering into a committed, nurturing relationship? Then you're probably not gay, and have no business weighing-in on something about which you really no nothing.

There are plenty of other - far more important - issues affecting the world today that should be attracting your attention.

Let the issue of domestic relationships between consenting adults be between those consenting adults alone... and not dictated by folks who clearly aren't affected by them.

I forget the specifics, but I remember there was a study done once that showed a huge majority of the people who are against gay marriage have admitted they really don't know any gay people (that they're aware of).

Which goes to show that even someone like Cheney can have a different viewpoint on something once you've actually experienced the effect that it has on someone you care about.

I guarantee you that if he didn't have a kid that was gay, he'd be right there towing the party line against gay marriage.

That said, the whole gay marriage thing is stupid. Not only is marriage a religious institution and should be completely off limits to the law. If you want a marriage, you go to a priest, if you want a civil union, be it gay or straight, you go to the courts. The whole marriage institution as a whole is outdated and needs to be revised. Admit it, Marriage, be it straight OR gay, is broken. People don't marry for love anymore, they marry for financial reasons.

more in fighting!!! love it!!!! keep it up gopers its just another nail in the old coffin..Oh and debbie in va, he has never announced support of gay marriage,only that he thinks its up to the states, that is Not support, that is him trying to keep his daughter off his butt. that is not a posi\tion!!!

Cheney might be a heartless monster, but I got to respect on the way he treats, loves, and cares for her daughter and all other gay people.

Nevertheless though, Cheney is still a nusiance.

If a boy can marry a boy, then I (a boy) want to marry my cute sister! Should this be permitted if I promise not to breed!

Its very convenient for Cheney to now make such statement, when he was a vice president or selected to be on a ticket, he did not want to talk about the issue because he has a Lesbian daughter, now all of a sudden its okay?? No. No No. how convenient is that??

I am not a Republican nor a Democtat and i strongly believed that a marriage is between a man and a woman, ALL of those gay people were conceived the old fashion way thru a woman.

I completely agree with Steele on gay marriage being a state's right's issue. So does that mean we may be seeing a referendum on the "state's right" of slavery anytime soon? Please.

al June 2nd, 2009 12:13 pm ET

Freedom of choice is o.k. when it is same sex marriage but not o.k. when you are woman with an unwanted pregnancy.

---------------------

Huh? You are comparing a decision between 2 consenting adults to a decision of pregnant woman and an unborn baby who has no say? Does your belief in rights begin after birth? Well at least the babies born who aren't then killed because they were intended to be aborted?

Excellent point Robin. It is amazing how people will compromise for their children.

Michael Steele and Barack do think alike. That's nice. The leader of the RNC has the same non-progressive views as the leader of the DNC. Both can only see things in Black and White. Never see things in living color.

Robin: 'What happens when a priest, pastor, reverend, rabbi decline to perform same sex marriages because it is a contradiction of their faith?'

The same thing that happens now when a divorced person wants to get married in the Roman Catholic Chruch: nothing.

I think Cheney represents the inevitable reality – as more people KNOW gay people, their position on it will change.

Sadly, we are waaaaaaaay too impatient to allow the wheels of change to move as they need to. We arent that far away...live by example, lead by example, love by example...

I don't mind or begrudge or think horribly of Cheney that he ONLY thinks this way because his daughter is gay, in fact I would have more to begrudge if he didn't feel this way despite having a gay daughter.

Really people, take a few seconds to figure out what you care about and how you feel about it, remove partisan factors, and use clear common sense.

I don't like Cheney for a whole host of reasons – this, isnt one of em. He's on the right side of this issue, sadly ONLY this issue for the most part.

The GOP can't get anything right!
When Chaney saids something that's actually right then the Chairman saids the complete opposite.
If politics was the NFL the Republicans would be the 2008 version of the Detroit Lions 0-16!

I don't beleive a Republican on any subject,any matter, any where, any time for any reason....They are all liars.

"Marriage" used to be defined by white married to whites only, blacks to blacks only, etc.

So we cannot change it to meet the times?

If "God" didn't approve of homosexuals, why did he make them that way?

It is boringly predictable that a high-ranking Republican party official sides with the extreme of his party base and against history. Fifty years from now people will be scratching their heads in wonder about why there was a pig-headed insistence in our era on denying certain individuals a fundamental right that caused no harm either to individual citizens or to society at large. They will correctly view this denial as bigotry incited by unreflective adherence to religious dogma that cannot defend itself against genuine rational scrutiny. There are no REASONS that can be defended for denying gay marriage, which is why its opponents inevitably are reduced to saying that it's against their religious beliefs.

But here's a news flash, my irrational conservative friends: in reason's march through history it invariably prevails against institutions based on rationally indefensible grounds. This means that you will be proven wrong on this issue just as your close-minded forebears were wrong about women's suffrage and slavery. So you might as well get on the right side of history or suffer the same infamy as those forebears.

Mr. Steele knows that this is a moral issue for our country ,and not a civil one. The United States has always been a moral map for the rest of the world, but if we let the term marriage mean less then what is was attended to mean the rest of the world will only laugh at us.

Steel Steel Steel, how quick the black man can forget the segregation, beatings, the killings, the harassment and the discrimination during a long saddened period of the country.

For you to impose that very same discriminatory behavior on to gays and lesbians by denying them a right, the very rights your ancestors had to fight for is wrong.

You ought to go back and live those days and see the feeling for yourself. Then comeback and let your gut tell you, it is wrong to discriminate against two people regardless of their gender; or wrong to commit and love one another in the same honor as others.

Your view would change, so change it now.

Since when DON'T Republicans believe in gay marriage? Like Ted Haggard, Mark Foley, Bob Baumann, Jim West.. ...and ever notice Pat Buchanan never seemed to father a child and Rush Limbaugh has problems with heterosexual relationships?

Darth Vadik, CA

Your statement below. "COLORED" wow I thought folks stop using that word long time ago, but I guess I was wrong. To say something like that is in very poor taste. How would you like if someone said "honky man and honky woman".

I guess Steele supported the marriage when it said a marriage is between one white man and one white woman, or one colored man and one colored woman too.

I will bet Cheney has been a "closet" gay all his life..

Geez, Republicans can't even agree with one another. Steele against
same-sex marriage, Cheney tacitly for them. Don't they talk to each other and get their stories straight?

Don't you just love it when the "family values" posse can't agree on anything these days??
At least they are more interesting than Jon and Kate Gosselin.

This position is one issue where Cheney has it right. He has seen the personal side of it (due to his own daughter) and he understands where she is coming from.

I normally disagree strongly with Cheney, but not on this issue. Good for him to speak out on this issue.

Yet another who would deny the reality of nature. Humans are not the only creatures on the planet that behave in a gay way. If it is nature, then it cannot be "against God's will".

The religious extremists would lead you astray, again, against all rational thought.

Yea and if your daughter was straight you would then come against being gay. You are a yo-yo man!

Most of the people who are so against gay marriages don't have a close love one who is gay. When it hits home a lot of people change their minds.

Sexual preference as well as abortion are personal issues that have no place in politics. Those who have to continually bash Bush and Cheney no matter what they do or say................Grow up and learn to be objective instead of bash, bash, bash like you don't have a brain to think with.

As always with Cheney or any conservative Republican, if it affects them – it's good for America. If it doesn't – it's immoral. True conservatives would consider marriage an absolute issue of personal freedom. NeoCon's consider it in terms of how can I leverage to get the most votes.

I don't care what you do in your bedroom. Just don't push your agenda or lifestyle on my children.

How easy for Cheney to support same-sex marriage because his daughter is gay. If she weren't, we all know he would be on the side of not supporting it. Too bad she didn't serve in the military, maybe he wouldn't have been so quick to send so many to Iraq to be killed.

See there you go running off at the mouth again.
Boss Hog already told you to shut-up and do whatever you do in the background. Now, Boss Hog, Fig Newt and Darth Vader are going to have to put you in your place yet AGAIN and you are going to have to come out and apologize AGAIN.

For real Steele you are really annoying me because, I have to agree with Boss Hog, Fig Newt and Darth Vader on one thing Shut-up.

yeah i said it Cnn
You stink

When will we / they stop? Untill evthing is back in order! untill the people's money in the bank is safe!

I believe Dick Cheny is Gay...

Steele is a boob. He should get a life.*

Did you all notice that Cheney said this is something his family has "dealt with"? Hmmm.

Many Southern States had laws that put Gays in Prison for no other reason than they were Gay until the Supreme Court declared those laws unconstitutional 4 years ago. Conservative Christian Fundamentalist supported these laws for over a hundred years. When the Kentucky Supreme Court declared Kentucky laws that put Gays in prison unconstitutional, under the Kentucky Constitution, in the 1990's, Conservative Kentucky Republicans denounced the Court decision and said that Gays should be in prison. Do Conservative Republicans still support state laws that put Gays in Prison?????? "Those who deny others their freedom, do not deserve freedom for themselves"– Abraham Lincoln and George W. Bush. If we put Gays in Prison, then what is next, divorced people, then unmarried couples, etc??????

Cheney only says this because his daughter is gay, otherwise he would have her water boarded. The man is the ultimate selfish republican who says everybody think like me or you are wrong. He is a coward, always is a state of fear and 5 deferments under his belt, no wonder. Most republicans hate anybody that is different or thinks different.

To the idiot who wrote:

Marriage can be only between a Man and Woman:
Marriage cannot be between:
1. Man and Man.
2. Woman and Woman.
3. Mother and Son.
4. Siblings
5. Father and Daughter.
6. Man/Woman and Dog or Horse or other animals or birds.
7. Man/Woman and a Car or a Truck or other Things.
8. Man/Woman and a Rock.

Really, now? Hmmm... and how do you suggest Adam and Eve's family was able to multiply if not for numbers 3, 4 and 5?

I know! Aliens!

See how illogical sticking to the Bible really is, since it can all be turned around and used against you? And you can't deny it! IT'S IN THE BIBLE!

I will continue to pray for this country, and the nuts and bolts that we have trying to get it together. May God guide us in the right direction.
I could give a rats As who you have in your bedroom. None of this is going to change me life.Get these gas prices under control. Get the The Hell with Steele /Cheney. Find Cheney a man, he needs something to do. Cheney is for what good for Cheney, he is the devil, with his twisted face, he is about the stupid face person I've seen.
Ride off into the sunset.......Idiot.
Shut up already

"I think his comments are an appropriate reflection of his family and his situation with his daughter."

Vice doesn't have a "situation" with his daughter. He has a daughter who happens to be a lesbian, and he wants to see her happy and afforded all the same rights he has. For once, and perhaps only once, I agree with the man.

Leaving it to states to decide is absolute lunacy. This country was founded on equal rights for all. Not equal rights for all except in states where the religious right has casts it's shadow of doom and gloom if gay marriages are allowed. It is either all or none. At this point it is just a matter of time until the constitutionality of gay marriage goes to the supreme court. The Federal courts will decide using the constitution and the bill of rights as it's guide. Not the bible and it's pathetic views that gay marriage is going to destroy the universe.

the republican party once again moves quickly to cull the herd of anyone with an original thought in there head.

Fair is Fair – Well, the Bible clearly mentions a third son (Seth)… and is ambiguous on whether Adam and Eve had daughters.

Actually Adam & Eve had 3 sons and 2 daughters and Their sons married the daughters....reason 1,224 I don't believe in Apollo, Zeus, Thor or God.

Steele messed up again! Cheney actually "outed" Obama for his lack of leadership on this issue and his tiresome rhetoric.

i see the moderator is in full support of hate speak even when the issue is one SOME LIBERALS support... BUT NOT THE POTUS

Ummm, I'm no defender of Cheney, but of course his mind has been opened to the reality of discrimination and inequality by his daughter. This is bad according to Steele? He prefers blind and braindead ideology over reality and actual people? What an idiot.

Even a broken clock is right twice a day.

phoenix86-

Please stop trying to convince us that you IQ is 86. There is no way you are that smart. Obama has nothing to do with the GM sale of Hummer, Saturn or SAAB, you nit wit.

Please shut up Dick! You’re really going to hurt the cause for Equal Marriage because too many people hate you

Gay marriage is a civil right. It is covered by the 1st and 14th Amendments. The debate is a religious one. If the GOP is making a religious stand they may. Those who choose to be a part of the GOP may. However, this issue itself is a civil rights issue. Should the US declare against gay marriage it is in essence proposing a religion that is in itself against the 1st amendment. What religion would the US be proposing? If it is Christian then which denomination? To rule against gay marriage will re-open other civil rights issues. For example: People of color marrying outside of their own race, Brown v Board on segregation. Who is a citizen and what is their right to vote? Would that change people of color and women continuing to have the right to vote?

To all the posters quoting scriptures- who da hell cares about what the Bible says?? Keep it 2 urself. This is America. We have separation of church and state. Nobodys is forcing the church to perform gay weddings and the church shouldn't be telling people what they can and cannot do!! If the gays are gonna burn in hell for getting married than so what?! How does stopping them from getting married here on earth change anything? You want to deny certain people basic rights and claim its in the name of protecting marriage? With divorce, infedelity etc. running rampant in this country, I think your focus is in the wrong place! There's another verse in the bible you forgot to mention-Before you can take the splinter out of your neighbors eye, take the log out of your own!! And those words were written in RED! Can anyone tell me why?? Hmmmm. HYPOCRITES!!

Well, having Cheney explain his position is a tricky one. Since he is a dyed-in-red-wool-republican– you know, with all the war-loving, bigoted, nature hating, little baby jesus bible-thumping nonsense, he is bound to stand by his "family values" slogan and support his daughter– gay or straight. However, you'd have to do some homework to find out WHEN his daughter TURNED lesbian since gays are not born that way– or so the flat earth society (republicans) say.

To all the posters quoting scriptures- who da hell cares about what the Bible says?? Keep it 2 urself. This is America. We have separation of church and state. Nobodys is forcing the church to perform gay weddings and the church shouldn't be telling people what they can and cannot do!! If the gays are gonna burn in hell for getting married than so what?! How does stopping them from getting married here on earth change anything? You want to deny certain people basic rights and claim its in the name of protecting marriage? With divorce, infedelity etc. running rampant in this country, I think your focus is in the wrong place! There's another verse in the bible you forgot to mention-Before you can take the splinter out of your neighbors eye, take the log out of your own!!

@ Debbie from VA:
"Cheney has been saying he supports gay marriage since at least 2004. Your first reaction is to spew hate at anyone who isn't a liberal.."

Cheney has been saying he supports gay marriage to WHOM? He had eight years in which to do something about that "support" and...nothing. He was elected along with the shrub to represent all Americans. Including the ones that might bring him some controversy from both parties. He chose silence and inaction.

I don't call two-faced dickie names because he isn't a liberal, I'm calling him what he IS. My gay/straight brothers and sisters died in his war and I will repudiate him for it 'till the day I too die.

This is how I see it, talk about immigrations what pops -up in your mind? Hispanics, Talk about Aids in the world what pops -up in your minds? Africans. Talk about homo sexuality, what pop-ups in your mind? Caucasian Male disease. You see! its easier for Dick Cheney to accept homosexuality as a Caucasian male in addition of having a daughter who practises imorallity!. Marriage is between AMAN AND AWOMAN anything else is sodomy!!!

I mean really. I can't stand Republicans. You say you are the party of values. What the Religious right fails to understand is that your political leaders just pander to you for your votes. Cheney now saying he's ok with same sex marriage says it all. He could care less about that. He probaby could care less about abortions. They try and say they run on a platform of values. Well what a joke! Wake up Religious right! Quit voting for people who claim to have values but really dont!

Steele... Judge Sonia Sotomayor's public comments are a little bit disconcerting, with respect to whether a Latina can make a better judgment than a white male,"Read the entire Article ***I'm sure you can relate to the Statement unless you have forgotten that you are black man in America...Oh I forgot it is little different when you are an Uncle Tom *** How about the inappropriate payments to Your Sister's company !!!!

Same sex marriages should never be an issue, who cares??? But I do wonder is PETA will begin promoting marriage with animals next, the wacky left has been known to go overboard!!!

"Influenced by his lesbian daughter"...heck what better reason. I think people who are so upset about same sex marriage must secretly have a yearning for that themselves.

Look at it this way, why should what someone does, that is not physically harming you – be any of your business. Who knows if same sex marriage is really the "right" way and we are all wrong for opposite sex marriage.

Man, I HATE Dick Cheney. What a hypocritical douche. "Freedom for everybody"...yeah, freedom for the people he chooses.

Cheney supports same sex marriage.

Obama does not support same sex marriage instead favoring civil unions.

Separate but equal never means equal

This is the only thing I agree with Cheney on. Scary.

@ Fair Is Fair:

Soooo ... the sons of Adam committed incest with their mother to continue the human race?

I am a devout follower of the Flying Spaghetti Monster faith. I DEEPLY resent christians legislating against my beliefs (see 1st Amendment for details).

Cheney has been consistent with the views since he was elected Vice President.

What is driving many americans crazy is that Cheney has the courage to speak out about this while the current president is either A.) A coward, or B.) a biggot. Correct?

Can anybody here who is ripping Cheney defend Obama's homophobic stance?

I'm sorry, but because something affects HIM personally he changes his "ethical" opinion. And apparently to cheney, "freedom for everyone" excludes arabs and muslims. Patriot Act anyone? he's such a hypocrite

Of course his family influences his position. It's hard actually to know gay people and be homophobic.

Marriage (a religious ceremony) should be done in a church by a priest or minister. If the church wishes to respect only traditional, one man and one woman, unions, marriage it it for them and their followers. If a church wishes to respect same-sex marriage; "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."

Civil unions should be done by a judge, anywhere. Like a marriage, a civil union should allow a couple joined in a civil union to have equal status to a married couple in the government's eyes (taxes, health insurance, family medical leave, wills, etc.) And, considering the ideal regarding separation of church and state, the church and their same-sex marriage opponents must butt out.

Of course, Mr. Steele will side with Lord Limbaugh and the rest of the conservative prima donnas of the Republican party and will now throw Cheney under the bus! To say that his statement favoring same-sex marriage is because his daughter is a lesbian is a given! Can't you come up with a better reason that that, Mr. Steele? You simply stated the obvious! What a moron!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

While I don't believe in gay "marriage", I would support civil unions with all the same rights and responsibilities granted to all legally joiined couples. I think the main reason they are pushing to call it 'marriage" is because they are pushing an agenda to make a homosexual lifestyle considered mainstream.

It will take the man another 8 years to admit torture is illegal. By that time he will be coming out of jail with his daughter Elizabeth to admit it together.

"I think freedom means freedom for everyone," Cheney said Monday

I'm sure the people being denied Habues Corpus in Gitmo will find this statemenet ironic... since FREEDOM doesn't exist without Habeus Corpus!

Anyone who doesn't like religion involved in this discussion shouldn't get "married"...that originated in the bible! You can't go calling a same-sex married "HOLY Matrimony"...there's nothing holy about secular realities of this sort. Civil Union should be enough for gays...if not, and they want to call themselves married, by a minister of God, they cross the line if they aren't willing to abide by the standards of God articulated in religion. Gays can do as they please, but don't bastardize Christianity in the process, don't demean the Christian sense of righteousness/goodness and don't make God have to come down here again!

For once, I agree with Dick Cheney and DISAGREE with Obama and the Republican Party. Steele, shut your face and go back to butting heads with Rush Limbaugh. If the Republican voice is to say "no", then boy you certainly found it.

How do some of you Republican haters manage to turn Dick Cheney's view on a social issue into comments about Iraq? I don't know why I keep reading these comments, the bulk of them are "I hate Republicans" accompanied by a poorly articulated, loosely related, and usually grammatically incorrect argument, regardless of what the issue is.

Why do all the liberal post sound like IDIOTS. So much hate on the left.

MIchael Steele can't even get this right! WOW... Is this guy a moron or what... way to pander to the same right-wing religious fanatics that see you only as a "token"... LOL

As for Cheney, I'm upset I actually agree with him on something... Almost makes me want to rethink my opinion... haha.

But numerous polls show the same thing about this whole debate – most people who know and love someone who is gay are more likely to see them as a human being, thus willing to give them equal rights. Those that don't know any gay people, tend to see them as some sort of evil / non human characture... thus want to withhold their "God given rights"...

"NEW RULE" for Dick Cheney... since he has finally admitted that Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11, he must now quit mentioning 9/11 every time he tries to justify the invasion of Iraq in future speeches... but hypocracy and lying don't seem to phase him much. Man has no dignity or honor!

why in the heck would anyone oppose gay marriage? Would they prefer promisicuous behaivor to monogamy and commitment? Gay people pay taxes and they are Americans just like everyone else. leave them alone and let them live their lives as full members of society.

Is Cheney also influenced by his straight daughter? What is it with this Steele fella? I've never seen a leader who grasps for straws as much as this guy. Cheney has had this position for years; Where was Steele then? Probably scared to death to say anything negative about the then Vice-President-President.

Steele is a chicken!

Anyone who doesn't like religion involved in this discussion shouldn't get "married"...that originated in the bible! You can't go calling a same-sex married "HOLY Matrimony"...there's nothing holy about secular realities of this sort. Civil Union should be enough for gays...if not, and they want to call themselves married, by a minister of God, they cross the line if they aren't willing to abode by the standards of God articulated in religion. Gays can do as they please, but don't bastardize Christianity in the process, don't demean the Christian sense of righteousness/goodness and don't make God have to come down here again!

Interesting thing about many conservatives:
* Cheney tows the line except for gay marriage
* Nancy Regan is conservative except for stem cell research
* Rush Limbaugh...does he speak badly about drug addicts anymore?
* Jim Brady (Reagan's press secretary who was shot in the head) worked for gun control
See a pattern here? All of them are conservatives except for those areas where their lives are touched.

Leviticus also forbids consumption of alcohol and shellfish as well as shaving. So, when the fundies start showing up with long forelocks, we will have a hint that they are starting to walk the walk and not just shooting off ill-informed mouths.

when will people learn that whoever a person wants to marry is really not the goverments' business? Most of those on the right favor smaller goverment, well I agree and when it comes to personal decisions such as who to marry then politics and religious beliefs need to butt out.

I wonder if people really mean that "everyone" should be allowed to get married? Should the states remove restrictions on age limits, multiple spouses, and close relatives?

can't believe cheney doesn't say same-sex marriage will make us "less safe"...oh wait, his daughter is gay...guess the ole' draft dodger still practices partisan politics...

I used to beleive in same sex legal relationships (call it marriage or any other name you choose) but if dickem cheyney thinks it's okay something must be wrong.

I've heard some homosexuals say that homosexuality is a condition that is genetically pre-determined, and that homosexuals are incapable of changing their sexual orientation.

Next year, my Christian ministry organization will feature a speaker who will come to our town and give his personal testimony of his salvation by Jesus Christ. This speaker was a homosexual before he was saved. He will tell us how the LORD delivered him from that lifestyle, and that he is now a born again Christian and happily married to a woman.

If it were true that homosexuals could not change their sexual orientation, then it would be impossible for homosexuals to get saved and live happily as heterosexuals. Yet, every year, a number of homosexuals convert to Christianity and become heterosexuals. It happens all the time.

One can only hope and pray that sometime soon we find Mushmouth in the back of a taxi in the same position as we found Eddie Murphy...

To:
Nope... I dont' buy it.... June 2nd, 2009 12:22 pm ET ...et al

Nope, I don't buy it either!!

The question is not whether everyone should be free to enter into any union or agreement they wish, but whether the government should support those agreements with public record keeping and tax incentives. Clearly if two homosexuals want to go to a lawyer and have him draft up a legal agreement, creating a civil union, they should be free to do so.

Who is more confused here? Steele or Cheney. It seems that the GOP is at a loss for direction or words. Stunning!

I thought that we were the United States of America... where all are treated equally under the law. I didn't see the fine print that said "unless you are gay".

"…The vice president brings a very personal perspective to this issue,"

News flash – he's not the vice president any more. Thank god for that. Now if he'd just shut up and go away, we could get on with fixing the country he pretty much single-handedly broke.

I agree with Mr. Cheney's position, that the federal government should not involved. Unfortunately, the very notion of same-sex marriage has been banned in many states. What will he have us do? All the gays should relocate and move to New England because that's the only region of the country that permits same-sex marriage? That will not do. Soon the federal courts/government will get involved...it's only a matter of time. Also, there is a huge difference between religious marriage and civil marriage. I personally support the efforts of the NH governor who is striving to equal rights for gays and lesbians but at the same time a strong supporter of protecting religious freedoms.

@John in Ohio June 2nd, 2009 12:51 pm ET

"God created Man & Women: not man & man, or woman & woman then say go create and multiply the face of the earth.

So if anyone thinks other wise you will be judged on such thoughts; weither one agrees or not , the facts are the facts."

---------------------------

Yup...Facts are facts
...but what you state above isn't fact...it's a belief.

@ Fair is Fair and patNY, who had this exchange:

"If God said, go forth and multiply, why did he give Adam and Eve two sons? and then have one kill the other?
___________________

Well, the Bible clearly mentions a third son (Seth)… and is ambiguous on whether Adam and Eve had daughters."

Hint: the bible is mostly a STORY.

Steele, you keep talking like this, my brutha, this black woman is gonna start liking you just a little bit. Give me some more, what else you gotta say that makes sense?

When the republicans aren't criticizing the democrats then they go after each other publicly. What a bunch of idiots.

When Cheney was still in office and asked about his daughter's lesbian relationship he became angry and refused to comment. Cheney could have done a lot while in office for gay lesbian communities then, but he didn't so who cares now. He's a fraud.

"It is an abomination..."

Oh? Like anything else "unnatural," like eyeglasses, cars, and polyester clothing? The word "abomination" has changed in what it means over the centuries, folks. It used to mean "that ain't the way we do things," and now it has all sorts of nasty connotations to it.

As for the "Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve" part... read the next chapter. Adam and Eve were pulled out of many and used for a single story, to illustrate what happens when you eat things you shouldn't.

Funny, that tree that they chowed down on fruit from didn't give us much in the way of knowledge of good and evil, did it?

It is an untenable position for Cheney to hold on the gay issue as his daughter is one, so, naturally, Steele would be at odds with the former vice president! But that opens a whole other can of worms as the straw man issue of the GOP unravels. If Cheney cannot hold to an anti-gay issue, then there really is none! And Steele is holding a can of nothing!

I think people are confusing the idea of marriage with other concepts. Marriage is a religious principle that the state or federal governments should have no interest in to begin with. That is why there is such a divide between people that oppose and support the idea of same sex marriage.

Most people would not have a problem with some type of civil union for same sex couples, but when you are using a religious term of marriage it gets a little more personal to those whose beliefs dictate that a marriage consists of a man and woman.

It amazes me that this has become such a huge ordeal. One side wants the same legal rights as the other and the other side does not want their religious beliefs tarnished. Civil Unions is the correct answer, but both sides are too freaking stubborn to concede the other side has valid rights to protect from the other.

someone i really dont like on my side.. but in regards to this issue, i would like to say thank you to the war criminal... and say, see, everyone is a little progressive, even the evil dark lord...

i will say this, dick cheney is a more understanding father than mine is, however mine is an ex-minister who accepts words written by someone he can not claim over the words of his own son. so kudos to dick.

OOOPS – now it's getting personal. Poor Dick and stupid Steele may provide the next round of Repug entertainment.

Cheney agrees with gay marriage because his UGLY daughter is a lesbo.

To Debbie from Virgina, Kerry had every right in the world to point out the lesbian daughter of Dick Cheney during the 2004 presidential campaign. She was working for the Bush / Cheny campaign and was a legitimate target – especially since she really is a lesbian and was trying to get homophobia locked into one of the branches of government. This divisive issue got Bush re-elected. She was fair game.

This wouldn't be an example of Dick Cheney expressing empathy, would it? Heaven forfend!

Cheney did not say "two consenting adults". I think that is what he means. I don't think he means more than 2 in a marriage.

if you don't support ... don't have one.

same sex marriage
abortion
drug use
murder
theft

As Firesign Theater once put it, Steele is leading the party "forward... into the past!"

God said do not judge but one day we will all have to stand before god and give an account on our lifes Jesus died for everybody and gave everybody a choice take it as you want to hear it

The vice president knows that marraige was created out of a religious union between one man and one women. He now only supports his daughter. Why is the term marraige so attractive? Isn't a union with the same benefits the same idea. Change the benifits authorized in a union and everyone is happy.

I bet if Dick Cheney didn't have a gay daughter he'd be all over trying to ban gay marriage. I wonder if he had a kid that was waterboarded would he then see it as torture. So if Saddam was not a part of 911 and there were not weapons of mass distruction, why did we go into Iraq and not find Osama Bin Laden. Why was Hussein captured and killed. What did Amercan have to capture him, couldn't the in his country police him and bring him to justice without our troops having to get involved.

I'm glad Mike Steele stated his own thoughts on the sex issue. Now Chaney, Limbaugh, and Rove will have to chew him out because Steele expressed himself independently!

Knowing Cheney's very, very simple mind as exhibited by things he's said about all sorts of things over the years, it doesn't surprise me that he would side with a controversial position as the result of his daughter's sexual orientation. I think most parents would follow suit; or at least I would hope they would. Remember, its natural to love your offspring unconditionally, and to support them in their search for a meaningful and happy life.

What I find bothersome about Cheney is that if it didn't affect his family personally, he'd be ready to throw everyone who supports gay marriage under the bus. Just like he's always ready to send others' kids off to fight HIS wars.

Good for Cheney and sad that Steele thinks being anything but 100% hetrosexual is a "situation". Obama should follow Cheney and reconsider his archaic opposition against same-sex marriage.

@ Thomas E, who said "Outlaw Marriage all together than everyone wins!"

Except standup comics...

Did Steele say it was a "situation"/

Idiot!

It is easy to discrimiante against someone you don't know or care about them. It is a very different story when one realizes that "gays" are our borthers, sisters, parents and children.

to Repugs are Thugs...you said.... "Don't force your beliefs on us, and we sure won't force ours on you." Isn't it a little too late for that???

That's what this whole argument is about, the Christian Right Wing wanting to ban same-sex marriage BASED on their religious views, nothing more, nothing further, they don't even bring up the words CONTITUTION or BILL OF RIGHTS because they know they would lose in a heartbeat framed under equality, so they have to use religion (religious marrige) as their wedge issue.

Freedom of choice is o.k. when it is same sex marriage but not o.k. when you are woman with an unwanted pregnancy.

I believe Cheney is speaking out of both sides of his mouth, or as they say "speaks with a forked tongue:.

I agree with your message. God is against gays as he is against abortions. And in God's eyes sin is sin and no sin is greater then the otehr. So why do the far right want to have it both ways. All sin is seen as sin to God no one sin is greater then the other.

I have gay friends, and I have friends that cohabitate. It does not mean that they should be able to use the word "Marriage." Being homosexual is a choice!!!!!! Even the American Psychologists Association has said it is a choice. Equal rights are for actual differences - skin color, gender (the one you were born and not the one you want to act like). Show me the DNA that makes you gay. You cannot show me; therefore, I do not accept it as a defendable right.

@Repugs are Thugs June 2nd, 2009 12:59 pm ET
Geez. Don't force your beliefs on us, and we sure won't force ours on you

--------------------------------–

So that means since the people of CA voted down Proposition 8, they don't want same sex marriage. Why is it still being forced on them?

Robin sez: "Look, I'm not saying that gays do not deserve to have rights and be treated with respect, but Christians have rights too, and gay marriage is a contradiction of my faith."

When you're forced to have a gay marriage, you'll have a valid argument.

I could say that church services are a contradiction of my faith. Can church services be banned now?

Repugs are Thugs,

Your right in saying that there needs to be a separation of church and state, but not every congressman and senator is sworn in on a bible. There was one who was sworn in with his hand on a Koran, plus I'm sure that there a quite a few congressmen of Jewish faith.

also i would like to add it is probably true that cheney only supports same-sex marriage because his daughter is gay. But that happens alot. That is the reason that people under 30 are more supportive than people over 30 when it comes to same-sex marriage. They know openly gay people and like them and see no reason why they shouldn't be allowed to marry.

Michael Steele...the GOP's dancing monkey. Circus Clown. Puppet. And BIGOT!

Same Sex Marriage and Homosexuality is against Nature and Unnatural. Penis goes into Vagina and not into Anus, Mouth, Ears, Nose, because those organs are made for other uses, not Sex.

Dick Cheney's recent comments are interesting, but are in stark contrast to his opinions on the matter one to two years ago. Back then he stated that he did not support same-sex marriage. I am curious why he is voicing his support now, as opposed to when he held elected office. Maybe his position hadn't "evolved" at that point.

Where is all the Republican outrage? Why haven't we heard Boss Limbaugh accuse Cheney of not being a "real" Republican? Is Steele saying that Cheney's views are influenced by his experiences? Oh for shame! Does this mean that Cheney hates heterosexuals?

@ Robin who wrote: "...but Christians have rights too, and gay marriage is a contradiction of my faith."

So Robin, nobody is asking YOU to marry a same sex partner.
They're only asking for the same rights for gay couples that you enjoy as a heterosexual couple.

I have a gay nephew who has been in a committed relationship with his partner for almost 12 years. Their relationship is WAY better than the one his heterosexual parents had– where his Mom cheated every chance she got. It's way better than another nephew of mine who is straight and preaches his hate for gays & his holier-than-thou superiority every chance he gets. He must forget that he's 1) divorced, and 2) living outside marriage with another woman right now.

IObviously, most of you did not do your homework. Cheney has been saying he supports gay marriage since at least 2004. Your first reaction is to spew hate at anyone who isn't a liberal. I don't understand how any of you can compare this to Kerry's statements. Kerry had no right to use Cheney's daughter to make a political point. All of you name callers would have thrown a fit and called more hateful names if a Republican tried that. Try some real discourse instead of name calling. If you have facts use them.

oh please @ people accussing Dick cheney of only caring about same sex marriage because of his daughter being a lesbian- well d'uh, hello!
you speak as if this is a selfish motive, I think most people who support same sex marriage does so because they know somebody in their lives who is gay and want to see them happy. Most people who opposse it have little or no exposure to gay friends , family members so its easy to reject it and cast dispersions.

@the right wing religious who continue to try and force scripture down peoples throats -time is on the side of same sex marriage, a majority of those under 56 support it. Its only a matter of time before New York, New Jersey, California, Rhode Island and several others join the list of states that allow civil marriage rights to everyone.

One person gets to judge – thats god. not you. He never gave you the right to judge other people.

I am so sick of folk talking about Christians being wrong. If it is truly separation of church and state fine. Then every politician who is sworn into office who places his hand on the Bible should uphold its principles. If not, just raise your right hand and be done with it. We have a right to believe the Bible. Geez. Don't force your beliefs on us, and we sure won't force ours on you.

This is surely an incredible day when that dick, Cheney has finally admitted Iraq and 9/11 had no connection, and also believes that gay marriage should be left up to the states! Has the man had an epiphany? I doubt it, but finally I agree with him on a couple of things.

Too bad he couldn't have been so forthcoming while in the White House.
Obviously when people open their minds to something different the heart can follow. Gay people are just that...people.

Tony in Maine June 2nd, 2009 12:53 pm ET

Robin sez: "Look, I'm not saying that gays do not deserve to have rights and be treated with respect, but Christians have rights too, and gay marriage is a contradiction of my faith."

Your rights end where another's begin. Christians have no right to impose their views on non-Christians.
---------------------------------

*sigh* Colossians 4:5-6 and 1 Timothy 1:5.

wow i never actually thought i'd agree with cheney on anything but i agree with him on same-sex marriage

I guess Steele supported the marriage when it said a marriage is between one white man and one white woman, or one colored man and one colored woman too.

That right Steele attack Cheney on the one thing he is right about.

Steele is yet another prime example of the GOP's inability to seperate church from state in an attempt

to pander to the right wing religious whackos that make up the only base left for the party. All this talk about how marriage is defined in the Bible – written by man and boring as hell does not belong in government as set forth in our Constitution. However what can we expect from a party that has taken to setting aside those parts of our Constitution that it does not agree with.

Cheney's just trying to get into Heaven now, that's all.
Well Dick, when your dad is Satan that is kind of hard.

"Reflects his situation with his daughter..." Michael Steele you are embarassing. Don't even try to be like President Obama...you will NEVER succeed.

@ Robin.....It is contrary to your faith???

This isn't about your faith or 'religious marriage', its about equal rights and CIVIL MARRIAGE. You need to keep your dang religion out of my life and my Constitution/Bill Of Rights.

If you don't support same-sex marriage....DON'T HAVE ONE!

I think we can all agree he said that because his daughter is a lesbian. No reason to hash it out over and over.

Robin sez: "Look, I'm not saying that gays do not deserve to have rights and be treated with respect, but Christians have rights too, and gay marriage is a contradiction of my faith."

Your rights end where another's begin. Christians have no right to impose their views on non-Christians.

For those who claim that this is a Christian nation – sorry folks, your pastor is wrong. Ours is a secular nation. Many of the founders were Deists, a religion which denies a central tenet of Christianity – the Trinity.

So has Rush bannished Cheney from the Republican party yet? At least Cheney finally said something I agree with. Oh, wait, he did say Iraq had nothing to do with 9-11, which I thought was obvious on 9/11/01. Of course it was almost eight years too late.

Darth, walk towards the light, go away from the dark side and use the force for good...

"God created Man & Women: not man & man, or woman & woman then say go create and multiply the face of the earth.

So if anyone thinks other wise you will be judged on such thoughts; weither one agrees or not , the facts are the facts."

How do you know that God created Man & Woman to solely pair up as Man + Woman? Especially given the frequent homosexuality exhibited in the animal kingdom.

Michael Steele continues to show what a moron he is. He refers to Cheney's lesbian daughter as 'the situation with his daughter.' Since when is a gay or lesbian person a 'situation'. Very likely Cheney's daughter's orientation is lesbian, but it is not a situation. It is humanness and people need to get over their bias about it. I know some gay and lesbian people and while I may disagree about their sexuality, it is who they are. They are not situations.

Can Steele go away and shut up?

"Former President Dick Cheney" seems to be a fairly common slip these days. perhaps the media has stopped spinning the RNC line and is reporting truth. A novel concept.

Cheney was for gay marriage in 2004. He is for it now. The only subject on which he and I agree. It validates the fiction authors' rule that no matter how evil the antagonist, he has at least one redeeming feature.

"A day after former Vice President Dick Cheney repeated his support for the idea of same-sex marriage, Republican party chairman Michael Steele publicly disagreed with him, suggesting that Cheney's position was influenced by his lesbian daughter."

This is exactly true, but I don't say that for reasons Steele would agree with. It's easy to demonize homosexuals and deny them their rights when you don't know them. It's easy when you think it's just a bunch of fairies in San Francisco. But when it's a loved one who is a homosexual, and you respect them for that and accept their decision, supporting the continued denial of their equal rights becomes harder and harder to justify.

So yes, Cheney's position on this probably is influenced by his lesbian daughter. He knows a lesbian, he knows she's a regular human being, and as a result, he doesn't support denying her equal rights to marry the consenting adult of her choice. If Michael Steele had a gay child, maybe he would be the same way.

I wish Cheney's parents had believed in - and practiced - same sex marriage.

The far right wing of the GOP are cowards!

Be afraid of homosexuals ahhhhhhhhh!!!

If you are afraid of homosexuals YOU ARE A COWARD!!

You can hide behind your lame arguments, which reveal your ignorance and hypocrisy, like quoting Leviticus or claiming that you want to "protect the sanctity" of marriage.

All those of us who believe in the Constitution, equal protection under the law, in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness as laid out by the Founding Fathers, we will win this fight

You who want to establish a religious state and live in fear have more in common with the Taliban and Ayatollahs than you do with your fellow Americans.

I'm no fan of Cheney, but it's nice to see he's on the right side of one issue, at least.

Flip Flop!

Dave C – NJ June 2nd, 2009 12:28 pm ET

"And yes, homosexuality is in the bible and not in a positive way Leviticus 18:22. "
OK Let's talk about Leviticus, which is where the gay haters get their fuel.
_____________________________________________________

Fair enough.

How about, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 and Romans 1:26-28?

Look, I'm not saying that gays do not deserve to have rights and be treated with respect, but Christians have rights too, and gay marriage is a contradiction of my faith.

Love the sinner and hate the sin is what I've been taught.

I agree with Sniffit's posts...this is not a religious issue. Marriage is a convention established by religions to "join" a couple before God. One can become married before God and never get a marriage license from the government...its done all over the world. Marriage as used in these debates is the legal union of two people...LEGAL...established by SOCIETY/MAN, not God or the Bible. Were Cheney's daughter straight, he'd be towing the political right line. I do respect that Cheney supports his daughter...wow...respect and Cheney in the same sentence...that's a first!

Whatever is good for the goose is good for the gander

Steele's an idiot! He apparently hasn't figured out the Constitutional and Declaration of Independence meaning of "equality" yet.

And what? If Steele's daughter was a lesbian he'd have a change of heart?

OHHHH ok, thanks for explaining the conservative ideology to me.

Hurray for the Hippocrit Party! Hey Mike, who ever said that life's experiences don't affect our perceptions?

Great logic here for Republicans - "We want party members who have NO life experiences, because that would invalidate our ludicrous ideological beliefs"

Once again the Party of the Brain Dead speaks.

phoenix86 June 2nd, 2009 11:53 am ET

News sources outside of PCNN are suggesting that Obama is going to sell Hummer to a Chinese investor.

We all know how well the Chinese treat their employees. Ha-ha-ha-ha

86 must be your IQ?

CNN...Seriously? You allow a comment made by Jason to be posted??? Are you really checking your comments? ( I blanked out the word you allowed to post).

Jason June 2nd, 2009 12:29 pm ET

Yeah but remember when Dick was against same sex anything during the 2004 campaign and that nasty wife of his you know that chick with a ____ Lynne, was planning on passing a bill banning same sex marriage. These people have no morals. They are a disgrace to the human race.

patNY June 2nd, 2009 12:23 pm ET

If God said, go forth and multiply, why did he give Adam and Eve two sons? and then have one kill the other?
___________________

Well, the Bible clearly mentions a third son (Seth)... and is ambiguous on whether Adam and Eve had daughters.

Ex VP Cheney, finally you understand what others have been talking about. Your daughter has been with her partner for 15 years, have a child and would like to be able to marry! How come it only mattered when it effected you!

Robin wrote (12:03 pm ET) "And yes, homosexuality is in the bible and not in a positive way Leviticus 18:22."

Not in a positive way? It says you are supposed to *murder* us. Do you think that is actually a command from God? If you do, then you believe that God is evil.

So which is it? Can you recognize that these 2 verses from Leviticus are not commands from God?

Or do you worship an evil god?

I find it utterly amazing that so many people get so whipped up about issues such as gay marriage. If they really took a good honest look at what adverse effect it could possibly have on them personally; they would actually see that it really does not have any impact at all. I actually agree with Dick on this (I find that shocking that I could agree with hime on anything); I hope he really truly believes it and isn't saying it because he has a lesbian daughter. Mind your own personal business, Mr Steele!

If it was not for his daughter he would still be wrong 100 %, bush/cheney killed gop GOI DEMS

Clearly Cheney's daughter being gay has influenced his understanding of the issue. Too bad he doesn't have more friends of varying types to have given him a realistic view of so many other issues.

As far as the Bible and homosexuality, before you go spouting off about how it condemns it, take some time to study the issues – and I mean *actually* study the issues by seeing what both sides have to say about it, not just seeking out those that confirm whatever biases you have going in. It is not as clear cut as so many want to make it sound.

@ Robert....your comment is so ignorant and immature, no wonder this country can't move forward and work on the real issues....its because people with such closed-minded narrow views of those who are different keep getting in the way with petty issues.

Robert, how about a man and two women? That'd be awesome! Have a nice day!

Barbara, God didn't "create that law."
Some self-serving clown did 2000 years ago.

That's the same argument terrorists use...GOD'S WILL. Give me a break.

Cheney (for the first time in recent memory...) is right.

What I'm curious about is why CNN did not call him on it when Steele was criticizing Obama on GM because of what the Obama administration did "6, 9, 10 months ago".

It's June 1; Obama took office January 20. Anything done 6 months ago or longer was the previous administration.

But don't let the fact ruin a good whine.

he's right, it is HIS personal view.

not everyone's. that is why it is each person's
right to do as THEY see fit.

Why all the fuss. There is no Santa Claus, Easter Bunny, or God. It is lovely to believe in a supernatural being, Gods explain a lot about the things we don't understand – in fact we don't even have to understand, just have faith.

If church goers really believed in God, they wouldn't behave the way they do, relying on the excuse that we are all weak and sinners, so it is OK if I sin. If you really believe in God, you won't sin. Most people pretend to believe in God so they can fit in. God is for the weak. Go ask George Will, conservative pundit, who does not believe in God.

Hay Rush and Newt, you arn't going to let this one get away. Here's you chance to tell Cheney he needs to join the Dems!

Marriage can be only between a Man and Woman:
Marriage cannot be between:
1. Man and Man.
2. Woman and Woman.
3. Mother and Son.
4. Siblings
5. Father and Daughter.
6. Man/Woman and Dog or Horse or other animals or birds.
7. Man/Woman and a Car or a Truck or other Things.
8. Man/Woman and a Rock.

et tu, Cheney?

I hate gays because I fear them.
I hate Muslims because I fear them.
I hate non-whites because I fear them
I hate non-Christians because I fear them.
I hate all other languages because I can't speak them.
America is the center of the world.
Jesus was an American.

What happened to the American where it acceptable and encouraged to think this way? I miss that America...that beautiful Republican, Conservative, Christian, White America....

Michael Steele actually has a spine! Who would have thought......?

Yeah but remember when Dick was against same sex anything during the 2004 campaign and that nasty wife of his you know that chick with a dick, Lynne, was planning on passing a bill banning same sex marriage. These people have no morals. They are a disgrace to the human race.

"And yes, homosexuality is in the bible and not in a positive way Leviticus 18:22. "

OK Let's talk about Leviticus, which is where the gay haters get their fuel.

That book also says things like you cannot touch the skin of a pig, or cut your hair above the ear, and all sorts of other stone-age nonesense that made sense to folks 2000 years ago but has no place in society today where we are all crowded in and need to love and respect each other.

Steele also slammed the Obama administration's extensive involvement with bakrupt automaker General Motors. "Government intrusion, to me, is just offensive to the market," Steele said.

It was GM that come to the government for help. Repubicans need to find some else to complain about. GM made bad choices and they are feeling the pain of making those stupid HUMMERS!

Yes, when real people that you care about are negatively affected by banning same sex marriage, one tends to soften a bit on the issue. It is much easier to say no to the civil rights of a faceless group of "others". It is harder to tell your daughter or son that they can't have equal rights under the law (no one is saying anything about what a church, synagogue or any other religious institution does on the issue...separation of church and state).

I commend former VP Cheney (and I rarely do that) for standing up for his beliefs. I'm sure he will be attacked by the right for it.

The only reason why Dick Cheney is supportive of gay marriage is because his daughter is gay. Had she not been gay, he would not support it. It only goes to show that Dick Cheney maintains views that are convenient to Dick Cheney (like the torture debate, the collapse of the economy, etc. etc. etc.).

The funny thing about this is FOX News, the GOP and others have not spoken out against his position with a loud voice (as they would have if this was anyone else on the democrat side). It's sad that the GOP allows him to rule their party, even on issues they are totally against.

You know you're a right-wing nut job when Dick Cheney takes a position to the left of you on anything. Have a nice day!

Cheney sure had no problem pushing a failed, federal amendment of discrimination in our US Constitution when it was politically expedient for him & his fellow neocons in 2004. Credibility, please.

Steele also flip flops, but that unfortunately appears to be par for course with him in the RNC.

Whatever benefits Bushes and Cheneys...

Regarding the Bible and those who quote it as reason to judge and hate homosexuals:

The Bible is a political document, filled with contradictions and altered by the men who have written and re-written it for thousands of years for their own very earthly gains.

The only message I need is to practice love, forgiveness, compassion and tolerance in my life. These ideals are not limited to the Christian faith, because they truly are universal. Practicing them is what makes me feel connected to not only others, but to God. It's not always easy, but well worth the effort!

the only reason he now supports same sex marriages is because his daugther is gay.

If God said, go forth and multiply, why did he give Adam and Eve two sons? and then have one kill the other?

Get my point!

I see people giving the former V.P. his supposed due for stating something contrary to the repuboican dogma.

pretty convenient now that he's not the one asking for votes of right wingers....

Pretty convenient now that his daughter is out on TV every day selling her father's lies to try to keep his pasty-self out of jail.....

nope.... I don't buy it...

Sadly, if Cheney's daughter was not homosexual, we all know he'd be a rapid anti-gay voice.

Michael Steele is no Obama. He keep flip flopping on his views.

Nothing like a little life experience to rid oneself of bigotry and ignorance. Cheney should get out more, that way he wouldnt be so afraid of his own shadow.

If this fool felt this way than why didn't he push for gay marriage legislation when he was VP for 8 LONG YEARS!!! You've got to be kidding me on this one. And where are all the conservatives out there defending Cheney's position now?

"I think freedom means freedom for everyone," Dick Cheney

Well, Ms. Dick Cheney....remember you didn't believe freedom means freedom for "everyone" when YOU:

1.) voted AGAINST Martin Luther Kings Jr birthday – a freedom for blacks & all Americans to celebrate his life & the civil rights struggle!

2.) voted AGAINST freedom for Nelson Mandela after he has been incarcerated for 26yrs by an apartheid regime just because he was fighting for FREEDOMS for black South Africans!!!

I guess when it's Ms. Dick Cheney's family, this blowhard is willing to spout his delusional ramblimgs just to protect his draconian torture legacy & his gay daughter!!!!

"freedom means freedom for everyone" unless Cheney designated you as an enemy of the state, of course. then all bets are off, innocent or guilty, expect to be drowned.

The only thing I admire about Dick Cheney (and I mean only) is his support of his lesbian daughter and her right to be married.

In regard to Steele's "suggestion" that Cheney's attitude about gays has been influenced by his lesbian daughter: No duh!

Cheney actually knows gay people and gosh-oh-golly! He discovered that gays are just like the rest of us and should be judged by their character.

That is the only thing I agree with Darth Cheney.

@ John, who said "SAME SEX RELATIONSHIP cannot be called MARRIAGE."

Either:

1. "Marriage" is so full of religious overtone and connotations that it shouldn't be used at all in our secular laws; OR

2. The First Amendment prevents interpreting use of the word "marriage" in our secular laws as having any religious connotations whatsoever.

Choose. "Separate but equal" will get you nowhere.

Outlaw Marriage all together than everyone wins! If the gays can't have it, the straights don't need it and the politicians can find another "category of people" to use and abuse in their quest for power.

It is okay for someone to say that their personal feeling is that marriage is between a man and a woman. This doesn't mean that we can't find it okay that a relationship between a man/man or a woman/woman is not okay. We really need to leave behind our biblical religious descriptions of what is right or what is wrong and move forward. Archaic religious doctrine surrounding marriage for Christians is just as archaic as Muslim beliefs regarding women. These are beliefs rooted in the past, a past that served us then, but is no longer appropriate.

If Cheny did not have a lesbian daughter, he would be spewing the same ignorant talking points as Steele.

Leave God out of this, she loves all her children.

I never thought that Dick Cheney and I would see eye-to-eye on anything. Guess I was mistaken and I freely admit it. I applaud former Vice-President Cheney for his stance on same-sex marriage. Freedom is meant for all, not just some.

@ Robin, who asked "What happens when a priest, pastor, reverend, rabbi decline to perform same sex marriages because it is a contradiction of their faith? "

ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. No suit of this kind against a religious institution would stand against a motion to dismiss or summary judgment. We're not talking about forcing any religious institution to do anything whatsoever. This is about whether loving same-sex couples should be treated equally to the benefits of a marriage recognized by our SECULAR government as lawful and thereby receive the same LEGAL benefits, such as tax breaks and inheritence, etc., that opposite-sex couple get. Whoever told you to worry about churches being sued for not performing same-sex marriages is a LIAR who is misrepresenting the law of this land to further an agenda.

Keep this in mind: Inserting religion into the Constitution is an invitation to the government to insert itself into religion. Keep your religion out of my government and I'll keep my government out of your religion.

What people are failing to realize is this whole argument over 'marriage' should be moot. It should actually fall under seperation of church and state, because most people are responding to and against same-sex marriage because they see it as 'religious marriage' and not 'civil marriage'. If this debate was framed as a question of having a 'civil marriage' there is no reason why gays and lesbians should be denied equality.

Same-sex marriage proponents need to emphasize that we are fighting for CIVIL MARRIAGE in order to win over more supporters.....who'd want a religious marriage anyway since Christians have hated and discriminated against gays and lesbians for decades???????

The only thing I agree with Cheney. Marriage for all. Doesn't hurt my marriage if two women or men want to marry. I say let them.

Freedom of choice is o.k. when it is same sex marriage but not o.k. when you are woman with an unwanted pregnancy.

I believe Cheney is speaking out of both sides of his mouth, or as they say "speaks with a forked tongue:.

How can Steele compare the Iraq War to the current government takeover of GM? That is a huge insult to every serviceman and servicewoman who has ever served anywhere. There are a whole hosts of reasons why we should or should not be making an expedited withdraw of troops from Iraq, none of which have anything whatsoever to do with or should be compared with the reasons for or against the government's involvement in General Motor's future. What a first class idiot this guy is. I can't believe the GOP keeps this guy on.

Get rid of marriage in government and have everyone get a civil union. This is why we are not a democracy but a constitutional republic. To preserve the rights of all.

"...being a homosexual in any shape or form is wrong according to the scriptures, there is a heavy penalty for all sin and this is just one of them..."

Funny thing, most of these hot-headed, gun-toting, gay-hating, Bible-thumping members of these Christian Taliban groups to which the writer above belongs (perhaps because they haven't actually read what Jesus said, but more likely because they choose to ignore Jesus at the peril of their own souls) that Jesus NEVER once condemned homosexuality, even though he said, at least, twice that the divorced person risks hell.

Why didn't Cheney have the fortitude to say this while he was VP? Because is is despicable, unworthy of respect, and continuing to try and re-write history. Suddenly he cares about gay rights!? Was he afraid to admit this while working for our bible-beating Clown president?

in a perfect world , all liberals would be gay, not just half of them...STOP heterophobia...

For once I agree with Vice-President Cheney. I don't think I have ever agreed with him on anything else. Steele is a step-and-fetch-it idiot. Too bad President Obama has not spoken out or done anything regarding equality for GLBT Americans since he has been elected. He pandered to gays and lebsians to get their votes, but his silence and lack of action on issues such as marriage equality and 'don't ask don't tell" has spoken volumes. It reminds me of white politicians in the '50's and 60's who made promises to Blacks in order to get elected, but then did nothing to further their quest for equality once in office. Shame on Obama.

Same sex marriage, abortion, etc etc etc.
None of those silly distractions matter anymore.

What matters is stopping the economic destruction of multiple generations of future Americans by an out-of-control president and the out-of-controll Congress that wrote the bill.

You have to ask yourself, "Is it wrong to steal from people who have not yet been born?"

Further, you have to ask yourself, "Is it wrong to steal from people whose own GRANDPARENTS have not yet been born?"

Republicans in Congress, you are as guilty as the Dems. You'll be targeted at the ballot box in 2010, too.

RE-ELECT NO ONE!
535 random strangers chosen by similarity of SSN would be better than the current Congress. They couldn't possibly do any worse.

so the beast does have a heart.
who'd of thought.

Excuse me......... but........ where is the outrage from the far-right-GOPers.......... condemning DICK for his support of GAY MARRIAGE????

Crickets chirping! Funny.

The GOP implosion continues unabated...life is sweet!

Mr. Steele, in the making of policy, shouldn't we put ourselves in the shoes of others to understand the issue, rather than blindly supporting policies that discriminate because they don't directly affect us? The fact that Cheney is influenced by his family circurmstances shows how prejudice against loved ones can open a persons eyes to the impact of discriminatory policy ,and help them to make educated decisions.

If the people would just change terminology:

Marriage – recognized in church and in courts as legal and binding. Man and Woman.

Civil Union – recognized in courts and some churches as legal and binding. Man and Woman, Man and Man, Woman and Woman.

They all just want to hate and fight. Media especially. It "gets them ratings" (of course after all is said and done, sometimes the ratings are LOW).

Disgusting people, these Republicans are. Sick to death of the promotion of hatred they keep pushing.

Richard A. Spomer, Alexandria, VA June 2nd, 2009 11:43 am ET

.... God created Man & Women: not man & man, or woman & woman then say go create and multiply the face of the earth.

So if anyone thinks other wise you will be judged on such thoughts; weither one agrees or not , the facts are the facts.
__________________________________________

Are the "facts" really the FACTS?? Were you there when God "created" man and woman? Or are you following a 2000 year old, or 5000 year old book written by men?
If you really believe in God, then you should be smart enough to know God does not make mistakes. If you really believe God created "man", then you should understand God created every kind of "man" – tall, short, fat, skinny, handsome, pale, tanned, hetero and yes even homosexual.
So, yes God created it ALL. He even created bigots and ignoramuses, if you catch my drift..

Dude,

It is GM that sold its Hummer Brand, not Obama.

Spin cycle working overtime this morning?

Same Sex Relationships can be Recognized and Given Rights equal to Married Couples of Opposite Sex.

However,

SAME SEX RELATIONSHIP cannot be called MARRIAGE.

Example,

If I like to eat an APPLE. Another Person has the right to eat his own choice of Fruit (ORANGE). But while the other Person is eating an ORANGE, cannot be said he is eating an APPLE. Because and APPLE is an APPLE and an ORANGE is an ORANGE.

MARRIAGE is an APPLE, which is eaten by people of OPPOSITE SEX.
GAY RELATIONSHIP is an ORANGE, which is eaten by people by SAME SEX.

Therefore MARRIAGE is not equal to GAY RELATIONSHIP.
Just like and APPLE is not equal to an ORANGE.
Although both APPLES and ORANGES are FRUITS.

I find it interesting that Steele charges that Cheney's personal experience with a gay person has lead him to support personal partner relationships.

Does this sound familar to you?

"I would hope that a wise white ex-vice president with the richness of his experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a black political party leader who hasn’t lived that life."
Paraphrasing Ms. Sotomayor

States as the final arbiters of civil rights? The Constitution and our history say otherwise. If the states had been the final arbiters of the civil rights of African Americans, Mr. Steele would still be entering buildings through the back door and occupying separate and unequal public facilities.

"Steele said Monday he also thought the battle would be worked out at the state level — that states will be the "ultimate arbiters" of what constitutes a legal marriage."

More proof the GOP hates the federal Constitution and sees it as an impediment to their agenda. Why? They use divisiveness and wedge issue to corner pockets of the voting market. If the federal Constitution is interpreted to give EVERYONE the same rights, prohibiting one state from violating them while other states don't, then the GOP can't claim little areas of victory for itself. Uniform civil rights are anathema to the GOP because they have painted themselves into a corner. They are at a point now where their strategy needs to involve carving up the voting market in a regional manner, not just based on the issues themselves. One way to do that is claim that all sorts of civil rights issues should be left to the states...that civil rights should not have to be uniform across the country. The proof is in the pudding: why do you think we're hearing so much 2nd Amendment fear-mongering, yelling and screaming about taxes with allusions to the American Revolution and, utlimately, blather about secession? If issues like this are resolved on a federal level, it becomes much harder for the GOP to claim victories for "red states," so it further erodes their power base.

Anybody can do anything they wish but the consequences are very harsh in the end, being a homosexual in any shape or form is wrong according to the scriptures, there is a heavy penalty for all sin and this is just one of them, get Jesus, get Saved, get eternal life with God in heaven!

Ergo, by Mr. Steele's logic, are we are to conclude that his own position is influenced by the fact that no members of his family are gay?

This guy won't last at his post with the way he is going against the Rethuglican party sharks.

OOOOOH!! Dick Cheney just mentioned that *gasp* Dick Cheney's openly gay daughter is openly gay!! We must destroy him and publicly condemn him for this outrage like we did when John Kerry mentioned the same exact thing during one of the Presidential debates in 2004. How dare Dick Cheney be so disrespectful of Dick Cheney!

I don't care that gays want the same rights as husband/wife couples. In fact, they should be able to have the same rights. Just don't call it marriage.

What happens when a priest, pastor, reverend, rabbi decline to perform same sex marriages because it is a contradiction of their faith?

Will they be fined or placed in prison?

And yes, homosexuality is in the bible and not in a positive way Leviticus 18:22.

The bible also tells you life begins at conception (Psalm 139) and that you should not kill the unborn. Exodus 21:22-25.

If gay people want to be togeather,thats there right. ' But for two people the same sex to marry is totally wrong,marriage is for a man anda women. God created that law,he said go forth and multiply.It to me is a sacred renunion.Pople today make up ther e own rules. We live in a very sad world today.Our grandchildren are so confused by all this.Who will speak for the childen of gay people.There are some wonderful gay people,but they are are not thinking clearlly.God Help us all.

Uh oh Rush is gonna scold Both of them, Shame on you both for not Checking with your leader first. I smell an apology and flip flop on this subject and Yes Cheney was the President behind the Scenes!

Sure, but what does your boss RUSH think?
I hope you had your comments cleared with him – just so you don't have to crawl back and publicly kiss his keester again?

As a mother with a gay daughter in a commited relationship in Texas
(10 years), I understand what Cheney is saying. I strongly disagree with everything Cheney has stood for in the last 8 years, but I admire his stance on this issue. . . . . because he has a gay daughter.

The only thing that could have led Cheney to his position on gay marriage is love for his daughter. . . . . . and that I admire.

Pandering to the religious right is a no win policy. BTW, "religious right" is a misnomer. I do not see any faith, hope or love (and the greatest of these is LOVE) exhibited by this group.

Steele is a cretin. Period.

Dick admitts there was no connection between Iraq and 9/11.Thats not what he told congress.War Criminal is all he is.

Cheney's position is influenced by his lesbian daughter and Steele is influenced by the Ring Wing Extremist along with the Churches.

Oh, look, Cheney's contradicting his earlier statements once again. You can always tell when he's lying: His lips are moving.

Every family has gay members in it. When you deny gay rights, you deny equal rights to your own kin. Period. Think about it.
I'm glad Cheney realized and admitted that.

Another day in the soap opera that is the GOP.......Keep it up....As Obama hires the competent republicans to work for America in his administration, the thinking Americans begin to see that the remaining GOP are lost, as of now...truly......

If only time travel were possible Mr. Steele could be transported back to the 1850's. He might change his tune about basic freedoms then.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – A day after former president Dick Cheney repeated his support for the idea of same-sex marriage, Republican party chairman Michael Steele publicly disagreed with him, suggesting that Cheney's position was influenced by his lesbian daughter.
_______________________________________________________

DICK SUPPORTS SAME-SEX MARRIAGE???????? What?????

WOW.......... this will blow the minds of the holier-than-thou-family-values-crowd! Can't wait to hear ....... the GOP Boss-Lush-Limbaugh's comment on this!

Is that all Steele has.....repeat talking points he picked up from past Repulidiots? Limbaugh probably told him what to say.

Cheney is a typical Repugnican–no principles–who changes his position when it might help his own family. It is just like the Repugnicans who switch to support stem cell research when a family member develops a neurological disease.

Although he has adopted the right position, it is (typically for a Repugnican) for the wrong reason. If Steele turns out to have a gay kid, he will flip over, too.

Did anyone notice the FIRST sentence in this article? President Cheney???? Also, Moderate Democrate...I agree with your view for that same privacy reasoning and Yes he is a dirt bag!

Wow. In one fell swoop, Steele has supported constitutional discrimination against gays, inappropriately painted a solid Supreme Court nominee as a racist, and declared "government intrusion" in big business affairs to be "offensive" when it was his party's LACK of government oversight that allowed these big businesses to drag us into our current economic crisis to begin with. Well done, Steele! It's a hat-trick of wrongness!

News sources outside of PCNN are suggesting that Obama is going to sell Hummer to a Chinese investor.

We all know how well the Chinese treat their employees. Ha-ha-ha-ha

Michael Steele just proves that prejudice stems from ignorance. Of course, Cheney's view of same-gender marriage is personal. DUUUUH????

If Steele had a gay child, he also would want his kid to grow up in an America where he enjoyed the same rights as others.

"...influenced by his lesbian daughter..."

Yeah, funny how the reality of the whole issue comes home to roost and you suddenly see the light when it's someone you love. Suddenly it's not just a wedge issue you can throw around trying to carve up the voting market. Who'd a thunk?

You might want to clamp it Mushmouth...this issue is just one of many that is going to destroy the GOP if it "stays the course."

Does this mean Cheney will demand an apology from Steele, like he did in 2004 when Kerry mentioned his lesbian daughter?

Yes, Mr. Steele, it is indeed easier to deny equality to people whom you do not know personally. That is the whole point of this debate. You are not the brightest bulb, are you?

Steele WHO???

Funny how he NEVER spoke on this issue when he WAS Vice President but now he'll chime in on it....

Gee Steele ya think? Well duh. To think that someones opinion could be influenced by their life experiences. Steele you're an idiot. As for Cheney, I bet he would change his mind about water boarding being torture if he was water boarded, just once. But he's a coward when it comes to things like that, just like he got out of the draft. Big talker when it's someone else, but when it's him, he runs and hides.

...And what's with the "former president Cheney" typo CNN? I almost threw up. Then again, that would explain a whole bunch of stuff wouldn't it?

so its appropriate if there is a gay person in your family but it is wrong to support gay marriage otherwise? getting pretty random here GOP?!??

Get ready for the apology from Michael Steel any minute now.

This is the only thing I've ever agreed with Michael Steele on.

In many courtrooms today (and for years)black and hispanic defendants are being tries by all white juries....(constitutional peers)...without complaint from vast America.

If you as a white person walked into a jury of all black people.....would you accept this as a jury of your peers?

How come views are only deemed influenced by gay daughters and never straight ones?

Steele would not dare say anything against the de facto leader of the GOP Boss Limbaugh and if he does, he apologizes...but he will speak against the Dark Lord with impunity?!? WHAT?!?!

Steele, please reconsider. You're dealing with Darth Dick Cheney!!!
This is a man who shot a guy in the face...and made that guy apologize for it.... Ask yourself, Do you really want to go against the Dark Lord....yer done for!!!

Republicans are for freedom... as long as they have a vested interest in it. Cheney is like one of those people who never care about the disabled until they suffer some kind of debilitating injury, and THEN they suddenly become this big crusader for disability accomodations. If Cheney's daughter wasn't gay, he'd never care a thing about gay rights.

Republicans are all about selfishness... and that's ALL they're about.

How convenient. Since he doesn't have any real power anymore, he can't make any change. He's NOT for gay marriage...give me a break. He's just taking Megan McCain's advice that the GOP needs to be pro gay. Funny how he felt the complete opposite when he was VP-the time when he could have actually done something about it.

Who is former "president Cheney"? I understand that news is no longer fact-checked, but at least proof read the stuff you put out. Thank you.

Two things: It seems as if Steele can't make a single utterance without lining himself up to another prominent figure, in this case the President, to validate his position. Secondly, if two-face dickie felt so strongly about same-sex marriage, he had eight years to pass it through the House and turn it into law. He didn't, possibly because he saw it as political suicide at the time. Now he's all for it simply because he has nothing to lose from any possible political fallout. Imbecilic posturer. Obama is going to have to deal with this very legitimate issue. I hope, however, that he does it in his time and his way, not due to unsolicited pressure and advice from these two buffoons.

To Rob and David,
CNN's slip is understandable (president Cheney). I'm pretty sure we all know by now who was really running the country (into the ground) for the past 8 years. What's the point in pretending otherwise?

Something else that VP Cheney and Obama are on opposite views of.

Former president Dick Chaney?

Well CNN got something right,he was the President,we just didnt know it for a while.Steele is nothing more than a temporary mouth piece.Maybe Cheney is a closet airport bathroom toetapper.

HA!! HA!! ....the losers are at each others throat again!!!

"Steele publicly disagreed with him, suggesting that Cheney's position was influenced by his lesbian daughter"

The Republicans get more "Jerry Springer" every day.

I think Steele has got it right on this one.
True story...a young man in his early 20's was a role model for my then young in our church. The young man 'came out' to the church (yes, announced in the church). We didn't reject him, we still embraced him, and his Mom did grieve (no future grandchildren). From my persepctive he was 'still' a role model (ethics, character, education, etc) to my child..yet he knew and accepted my views of not agreeing with his lifestyle. It was a diffcult time that challenged my views..because I and many others really loved this guy.. I felt firm in staying with the word of God..but honored God in continuing to love him. God rest his soul...he has since passed from a disease widly known amongst the gay community.

In many courtrooms today (and for years)black and hispanic defendants are being tries by all white juries....(constitutional peers)...without complaint from vast America.

If you as a white person walked into a jury of all black people.....would you accept this as a jury of your peers?

Can't they battle this out in a steel cage match!? lol

So who is going to say the other person is "not a true Republican"?

Scary part is this makes Cheney seem more human.

Has anyone asked Newt about his fellings? His lesbian sister lived in my area for a while.

Being someone that is Independently minded; I, personally find myself supporting GOP the Republican Party chairman Michael Steele, and his view on same-sex marriage. God created Man & Women: not man & man, or woman & woman then say go create and multiply the face of the earth.

So if anyone thinks other wise you will be judged on such thoughts; weither one agrees or not , the facts are the facts.

I don't think I've ever seen such a screwed up party in my whole life. If they can't be on the same page, at least try to be in the same book. What's really kind of sad, is it seems to take personal experience for a republican to feel empathy for someone else.

Mr. Steele, your personal opinion is just that – personal. It does not give you or anyone else the right to deny another person equal protection under the U.S. Constitution. Contract do not offer the same benefits, rights, or responsibilities as marriage. Any person – and homosexuals are people – who wants to legally commit to marry the person they love should be allowed to do so. To prevent them from having the same right as opposite-sex couples is a violation of the Constitution. It should not require a change in our laws because the Supreme law of the nation does not deny that right to any person.

If a church membership doesn't believe in same-sex marriage, they have the religious freedom to deny it within their church but NOT in other churches that allow it and certainly NOT in civil ceremonies. Why this discrimination has been allowed to continue simply makes no sense. A gay couple has no impact on my marriage or any other. What a ridiculous notion! It's just another excuse to sponsor hatred and blame it on God.

We need more stable relationships in the world, not fewer.

"I think freedom means freedom for everyone," Cheney said Monday,

So, what about "freedom from Privacy Invasion", you know, kind of like "Everyone should have the right to privacy like YOUR treasonas butt does". Or are you simply a hypocritical dirt bag?

Oh Yea, you're the guy ran like a wuss down to your bunker, told the fighter pilots to stand down and thus allowed our country to get attacked on 9/11. The answer is obvious. You're a dirt bag, as is your daughter for being a huge supporter of mass genocide!

Cheney's position is influenced by his lesbian daughter.... Really Steele? That should be a good thing

The key statement is he said the question of same-sex marriage was best left to the states, not the federal government.

Mmm, what will Rush say to this?

Micheal Steele has finallygrown some cajones

Wow.

One thing I agree with Cheney on.

Who would have thought?

President Cheney????? Not was he between Bush and Obama?? Have I been missing 4 or 8 years??

"influenced by his lesbian daughter". Duh, you think?

Sure love the idiots in charge of the GOP.

Hmmm...Hey CNN... that WAS a Freudian Slip, wasn't it?
Former President Cheney?
The "Man behind the Curtain (so to speak)?
The Puppet Master???

Your true colors are leaking...

No comment!!!

"A day after former president Dick Cheney repeated his support for the idea of same-sex marriage"

there's an interesting mistake, cause last time i checked, he was elected as VICE President. What happened behind closed doors however seems to be coming out a lot more these days

..."former president Dick Cheney"...

well, perhaps he's like to be thought of as such, but I think that using the word "Vice" to properly describe him would be more in line with his history and agenda...