NPR Badgers Lynne Cheney on Daughter

NewsMax ^ | February 18, 2005 | Carl Limbacher

[Stoat]

 

NPR Badgers Lynne Cheney on Daughter

It didn't get much attention - probably because National Public Radio has so few listeners - but the taxpayer-funded network's Terry Gross recently tried to pull a John Kerry on second lady Lynne Cheney, by repeatedly hectoring her about her gay daughter Mary during a Feb. 9 interview.

After saying she knew Mrs. Cheney didn't want to discuss her daughter's private life, Gross proceeded to do just that, peppering the second lady with one question after another about the proposed constitutional gay marriage amendment and its impact on parents of gay children.

 

Mrs. Cheney, who was invited on the show to discuss her new book, "When Washington Crossed the Delaware: A Wintertime Story for Young Patriots," actually responded to the initial inquiry with a fairly detailed answer (see full transcript below). But the NPR host wasn't satisfied and kept pounding away on the issue.

Here's a snippet from folks who used to maintain that the private lives of elected officials are none of the public's business:

GROSS: When [President Bush] said that this amendment would be for the good of children, families and society, I couldn't help but wonder if parents of gays and lesbians would see it as being good for their families. And ...

CHENEY: I don't support a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage and I'll leave it right there.

GROSS: Is it because of the issue of gay marriage itself or is it because it should just be a state issue and not ...

CHENEY: Terry, I don't support the idea of a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage and I will leave it right there.

GROSS: Just one more question about the position that you're in.

CHENEY: Terry, I really think that we came hear to discuss history more than current events and I've made my position clear.

GROSS: Is it difficult to be in a position where you're different from the president?

CHENEY: Well, not too difficult, since I've done it - how many times now in the last ten minutes? Perhaps six? I've made my position clear. END OF EXCERPT

We trust that the next time Sen. Clinton pops in for a sit-down at NPR, Ms. Gross and her colleagues will be equally tenacious about why - to pick a topic at random - neither Hillary nor her husband have ever responded to questions about Juanita Broaddrick's sexual assault allegation.

The full Cheney-Gross exchange went like this:

GROSS: I don't want to ask you any questions about your daughter Mary because I know that you don't like to do anything that would be an invasion of her privacy. But I do want to ask your position as the mother of a gay daughter, because I think this impacts on public policy, and on the lives ...

CHENEY: How?

GROSS: Well, because the Republican Party and the President of the United States has [sic] called for a constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage. And because that would impact, not only the lives of gays and lesbians, but the lives of parents of gays and lesbians, I think that it would be interesting to hear your position on that constitutional amendment.

Now I know you've said you think the issue should be left to the states [but] I'd be interested to hear what you think about the issue of banning gay marriage, since it's not only an important issue in the party - you know, the president spoke about it in the State of the Union - um, and, you know, it was an important issue, I think, in getting out the evangelist vote.

CHENEY: I don't support an amendment to the Constitution banning gay marriage.

GROSS: Could you tell me why?

CHENEY: Well, I think it's a matter that should be left to the states. As a conservative I don't support constitutional amendments in general unless the cause is clear and evident. The issue here is that some people think a constitutional amendment is necessary in order to preserve the right for the states. I happen to not to come down on that side of the issue. And, indeed, there are many Republicans who do.

If you looked at our national convention, for example, among the prominent speakers - Governor Schwarzenegger, Rudy Giuliani - feel the same way. It's not an issue that sets the Republican Party apart in one great mass. It's an issue where people differ.

GROSS: In his State of the Union address, President Bush said that because marriage is a sacred institution and the foundation of society, it should not be redefined by activist judges. "For the good of families, children and society, I support a constitutional amendment to protect the institution of marriage."

When he said that this amendment would be for the good of children, families and society, I couldn't help but wonder if parent of gays and lesbians would see it as being good for their families. And ...

CHENEY: I don't support a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage and I'll leave it right there.

GROSS: Is it because of the issue of gay marriage itself or is it because it should just be a state issue and not ...

CHENEY: Terry, I don't support the idea of a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage and I will leave it right there.

GROSS: Just one more question about the position that you're in.

CHENEY: Terry, I really think that we came hear to discuss history more than current events and I've made my position clear.

GROSS: Is it difficult to be in a position where you're different from the president?

CHENEY: Well, not too difficult, since I've done it - how many times now in the last ten minutes? Perhaps six? I've made my position clear.

 

[jjmcgo]

"when people in the public spotlight need to be held to account."

Why does Lynne Cheney "need" to be held to account? She is not an elected official. She is the wife of an elected official. I don't see any tough interviews of Mrs. Dean, Mr. Pelosi, Mr. Boxer or the latest Mrs. Kennedy.

[Drango]

There are about 100 Republican congress critters that vote with the rats to fund PBS/NPR. I sure wish Mrs Cheney would have a talk with them...

[plangent]

Judging from the transcript, Terry Gross has an abnormal
obsession with lesbians.

Maybe she was fishing for an invite to dinner.

[what's up]

She looks like Peter Pan.

[GretchenM]

I've always wondered what the host would do if he/she continues to ask inane, belligerent or otherwise nasty questions that the guest has steered away from for any reason, and then the guest just sat there in the studio, quietly, refusing to answer a question he/she already refused to answer.

One thing a radio host cannot tolerate is dead air.

[jennyjenny]

I don't know if she is a lesbian, but she sure does resemble lil tinkerbell, Ronnie Reagan.

[MOgirl]

Hello,

My son is 7, and should I find myself the mother of a homosexual sometime in the future, I will continue to love him. It would not be my choice for his life, but I would not turn my back on my child. The fact that you believe that Mrs. Cheney should speaks volumes about you.

Glad to be here, MOgirl

[highlandbreeze]

You have to ask?

[InvisibleChurch]

well, we're all sinners and ought to be repudiating all the awful things we have done, are doing, and will do that necessitated Jesus dying on the cross for us

[highlandbreeze]

You may lose your child is it, however it will not change his/her behavior. Personally, I'd rather have my child, warts and all.

I think Alan Keyes is very wrong.

[jocon307]

"Lesbian?"

Since there has been already a lot of bashing on this thread, let me just say: Ms. Gross looks MUCH BETTER when she's smiling.

[Deb]

Hate the sin...love the sinner. You're ridiculous.

[BigWaveBetty]

We trust that the next time Sen. Clinton pops in for a sit-down at NPR, Ms. Gross and her colleagues will be equally tenacious about why - to pick a topic at random - neither Hillary nor her husband have ever responded to questions about Juanita Broaddrick's sexual assault allegation.

Hell, I'd be happy if someone, anyone, would ask Hill and Bill how they feel about their daughter shacking up.

[Cold Heat]

LOL!

She did a good job answering the question!

While I differ with her on this particular subject, the States Rights issue is a very valid point.

[ModelBreaker]

She looks like Peter Pan.

At 65.

[demlosers]

You have to ask?

Oh, I'm not confused. Her persistent line of questioning and candid pictures removes doubt. I though I'd share.

[BigWaveBetty]

I wish I could watch Lynne Cheney verbally smack idiots like you upside the head.

[Deb]

PBS/NPR funding is down to 15% and falling. For this drastic reduction you are now free to praise Bush and the GOP.