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Log Cabin Republicans Applaud Vice President Cheney for Opposing Anti-family Marriage Amendment

Vice President's Comments in Iowa Make It Clear Why Our Platform Should Not Take a Position on This Divisive Amendment

August 24, 2004

(Washington, DC) – Today in Davenport, Iowa, Vice President Dick Cheney made it clear that he does not believe a Constitutional Amendment dealing with same-sex civil marriage is necessary. Vice President Cheney, responding to a question about same-sex marriage said,

"Historically that's been a relationship that's been handled by the states, states have made the basic fundamental decision what constitutes a marriage. I made clear four years ago when this question came up in my debate with Joe Lieberman that my view was that that's appropriately a matter for the states to decide and that's how it ought to be handled."

"Today the Vice President restated what he so eloquently said in 2000, and what the Vice President said then rings just as true today. The Vice President's comments should be a clear signal to the drafters of our Party's Platform to not include a plank that would call for a Constitutional Amendment," said Patrick Guerriero, Executive Director of Log Cabin Republicans.

"Additionally, we have called on the Platform Committee to adopt language that makes it clear that voices, like those of Vice President Cheney, who may disagree with the Gary Bauers of the world are welcome in this party," continued Guerriero.

The Log Cabin Republicans, in conjunction with Republicans for Choice and the Republican Youth Majority, have called on the Platform Committee to adopt a Party Unity Plank.

The Party Unity Plank reads:

"We recognize and respect that Republicans of good faith may not agree with all the planks in the party's platform. This is particularly the case with regard to those planks dealing with abortion, family planning, and gay and lesbian issues. The Republican Party welcomes all people on all sides of these complex issues and encourages their active participation as we work together on those issues upon which we agree."

Earlier this year the Log Cabin Republicans launched a $1,000,000 effort to defend the Constitution, the centerpiece of which was a commercial that uses excerpts from then Vice-Presidential candidate Cheney's debate in 2000 with Senator Joe Lieberman.