Cheney ‘surprised’ by gay marriage dustup

Former Vice President Dick Cheney said Tuesday night he wished his family’s private dispute over gay marriage had not spilled into the public. 

Cheney said he was surprised that his daughter Liz — who is running for Senate in Wyoming — was criticized on Facebook for her stance on gay marriage by her lesbian sister, Mary, and Mary’s wife. 

{mosads}“We were surprised that there was an attack launched against Liz on Facebook and wished it hadn’t happened,” Cheney said, according to reports. “It’s always been dealt with within the context of the family, and frankly that’s our preference.”

The former vice president and his daughter Mary support gay marriage, while Liz does not. 

Cheney made the remarks at the National Press Club while promoting his new book. Cheney’s comments largely mirror ones he and his wife made last month, adding that the dispute is “obviously a difficult thing for a family.”

“That’s as far as I’m going to go on the subject. Don’t waste your time,” Cheney said. 

The dispute boiled over last month after Liz, who is challenging Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) in the Republican primary, reiterated that she does not support gay marriage in the face of attacks to the contrary. 

Mary Cheney and her wife took to Facebook, saying “Liz — this isn’t just an issue on which we disagree — you’re just wrong — and on the wrong side of history.”