Parents aren’t supposed to play favorites among their children. Apparently Dick Cheney missed the memo.
The former vice president sided with Liz Cheney over his two daughters’ very public clash over gay marriage.
Dick Cheney and wife Lynne released a statement on Monday insisting Liz Cheney – who is running for a Senate seat in Wyoming – has “always believed in the traditional definition of marriage.” The parents added Liz Cheney has “always treated her sister and her sister’s family with love and respect.”
Sister Mary Cheney and her wife Heather Poe would probably beg to differ. The two called out Liz Cheney after she appeared on Fox News Sunday saying she and her married lesbian sister “just disagree” when it comes to same-sex marriage.
Mary Cheney responded on Facebook saying “Liz – this isn’t just an issue on which we disagree, you’re just wrong – and on the wrong side of history.”
Poe went further, suggesting Liz Cheney’s public stance in the reliably-red state doesn’t jive with what she personally told them in the past.
“Liz has been a guest in our home, has spent time and shared holidays with our children, and when Mary and I got married in 2012 – she didn’t hesitate to tell us how happy she was for us. To have her say she doesn’t support our right to marry is offensive to say the least.”
Liz Cheney’s interview on Fox News comes as polls show her trailing behind Republican Sen. Mike Enzi in the GOP primary. A group supporting Enzi has criticized Liz Cheney for being soft on gay marriage.
In 2009, Dick Cheney voiced is support for gay marriage, mentioning that one of his daughters is a lesbian. The reversal was a stark contrast from President George W. Bush and his administration’s policies on the issue.
Dick Cheney and his wife added in their statement that “this is an issue we have dealt with privately for many years, and we are pained to see it become public” and that “Liz’s many kindnesses shouldn’t be used to distort her position.”
Mary Cheney told the New York Times that she and her sister have not spoken since summer while previously they “were as close as sisters can be.” Mary Cheney also said that Liz Cheney was “always very supportive” of her relationship to Poe.
The 44-year-old said she presumed her sister shared their father’s view on gay marriage and was surprised by Liz Cheney’s remarks on the campaign trail. Mary Cheney said it was “impossible” for the siblings to make amends as long as Liz Cheney maintains her position.
It’s likely to be a rough holiday season for the Cheneys. Mary Cheney said her sister would not be joining the rest of the family at her and her wife’s house for Thanksgiving next week. The Cheneys also have plans to go to Wyoming for Christmas. Mary Cheney said of her sister: “I will not be seeing her.”
