White House responds to Cheney feud over marriage

[William769]

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney responded on Monday to the public feud between the Cheney sisters over same-sex marriage, taking the opportunity to reiterate President Obama’s support for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

Under questioning from ABC News Radio’s Ann Compton, Carney said he hasn’t had any conversations with Obama about criticism lesbian Mary Cheney has directed toward her sister Liz Cheney over her opposition to same-sex marriage.

“I would only say that like so many other Americans, former Vice President [Richard] Cheney has come to view equality as something that we need to make fact, and not just an aspiration,” Carney said. “And that’s certainly where the president is, and that’s reflected in his very strongly held view that the House of Representatives ought to follow the Senate’s lead and pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, for example, because in the not-too-distant future, we in this country will look back at this moment and pretty clearly recognize that those who oppose ENDA were wrong.”

Carney acknowledged that the issue of LGBT rights “is a tough issue, and can be a tough issue” for a lot of families, but concluded “it is a very American value to pursue equality for everyone.”

http://www.washingtonblade.com/2013/11/18/carney-responds-cheney-feud-marriage/

[WorseBeforeBetter]

1. It's never been a "tough issue" for me.

From a moral perspective, and more bluntly... who gives a shit who consenting adults marry? Wish the White House would say that, and ask everyone to mind their own damn business.

[William769]

3. They pretty much did that last year when they stopped enforcing DOMA.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

12. Not entirely though... it's still being framed as a "tough choice."

It's not a tough choice. Just wish the White House could tell folks to focus on their own damn families. But yes, DOMA was huge, and I'm thrilled to see progress in certain states. Here in North Carolina, however, not so much.

[polichick]

4. Not for me either - or marriage between races...

That was an issue when I was a kid and even then it seemed simple.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

11. Same here.

Perhaps growing up in the DC suburbs had something to do with it. Or being raised non-wacky Methodist. I dunno. I imagine it is pretty simple for most kids -- it's the adults mucking things up!

[pinto]

2. Carney nailed that response. "it is a very American value to pursue equality for everyone.”

[polichick]

5. Sure did take a while to "evolve" to that position.

[William769]

7. In the White House defense

Once they got on board, they ran with it & caused a avalanche. I won't fault them for that.

[polichick]

8. That part is good - but it's pretty lame to wait for most of the country...

to get behind something before you "lead" on a civil rights issue.

[William769]

10. As long as I have been fighting for the cause, I'll take what I can get.

With that said I do see your point.

[pinto]

13. Expanding access to Federal benefits and protections has been ongoing.

ENDA is another step is the process. There's a state / federal tug of war going on. I think this administration is finding ways to support equality from a federal point of view. Many of the issues still rest in the states' purview. Admin knows that and has, imo, picked actions that are legally and legislatively defensible, i.e constitutional, to blunt individual state stands. ENDA is clearly a federal issue and one among the others in supporting equality on a national basis.

[William769]

6. ...

[LynnTTT]

9. family Ties

The family will band together and turn against one daughter in order to support the pathetic political aspirations of another. So sad. And I suspect the parents and Liz really don't care one bit about the issue. They only care about their Tea party base.