Timbre of a TimeFree Mind

(Reuters)

In Tuesday's vice presidential debate marked by sharp personal attacks and exchanges, the one kinder and gentler moment centered on Mary Cheney, the lesbian daughter of Vice President Dick Cheney.

As Cheney and his Democratic challenger Sen. John Edwards disagreed about a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, Edwards praised Cheney and his wife Lynne for his public expressions of love and support for Mary, one of Cheney's two adult daughters.

"You can't have anything but respect for the fact that they're willing to talk about the fact that they have a gay daughter, the fact that they embrace her. It's a wonderful thing. And there are millions of parents like that who love their children, who want their children to be happy," he said.

Cheney replied, "I appreciate that very much."

But on policy, the two disagreed.

Cheney said that he would prefer to let states regulate marriage as they have traditionally done but he backs President Bush, who is pushing for a constitutional amendment.

"He (Bush) sets the policy for this administration, and I support the president," Cheney said.

Cheney repeated his belief that "people ought to be free to choose any arrangement they want. It's really no one else's business." But he said that does not mean the government should sanction or approve homosexual relationships.

Edwards said he believed marriage should be between a man and a woman but backed partnership benefits for gay and lesbian couples in long-term committed relationships.

He also said marriage law should be left in state hands. But he attacked the idea of a constitutional amendment as unnecessary, divisive and politically motivated.

"This is using the Constitution as a political tool, and it's wrong," he said.

Both the House and the Senate rejected the proposed constitutional amendment this year. Republicans, who control both houses, said it was important to stimulate debate and get lawmakers on the record. Democratic critics accused Republicans of holding the symbolic vote only to rally conservative voters before the Nov 2. election.