The Bush campaign and the Cheney family sharply condemned Democratic nominee John Kerry after he referenced Vice President Dick Cheney's daughter Mary, who is openly gay, during the final presidential debate in October 2004. Kerry made the remark while answering a question about whether homosexuality is a matter of choice.
Lynne Cheney called Kerry 'not a good man' at a post-debate rally, and the vice president said he was 'a pretty angry father,' accusing Kerry of willingness to do anything to win. Bush campaign spokeswoman Nicolle Devenish said the reference was a deliberate pattern of attacks on Mary Cheney.
Kerry responded by saying he intended the comment as something positive, noting that he was addressing how families navigate the gay marriage issue. His campaign argued the outrage was manufactured to distract from the president's record.
The episode echoed a similar moment at the vice presidential debate on 5 October, when John Edwards also mentioned Mary Cheney. At that time, Cheney thanked Edwards warmly for his kind words. Arizona Senator John McCain, a Bush supporter, said the remark had probably not helped Kerry, regardless of intent.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this AFP wire report, first published in October 2004, in its own words.