Dick Cheney, Laura Bush, Colin Powell Voice Support for Marriage Equality in New Ad: VIDEO

The Respect for Marriage Coalition (chaired by HRC and Freedom to Marry) is set to launch a $1 million media campaign in support of marriage equality, Politico reports.

It features a TV spot narrated with key quotes from President Obama as well as news clips of Republicans Laura Bush, Dick Cheney, and Colin Powell voicing their support for marriage equality. It will air on cable and Sunday morning political shows and be accompanied with a print campaign in national newspapers,

Watch the ad, AFTER THE JUMP...

TheFour Knows It Takes All Types To Support Marriage Equality: VIDEO

With a little more than two weeks until election day, pro-equality group TheFour, currently fighting for equality in Washington, Maryland, Minnesota and Maine, released a video highlighting the disparate people who support same-sex marriage.

That eclectic list includes former President Bill Clinton, Jay-Z, Lady Gaga and, yep, even former Vice President Dick Cheney.

Take a gander AFTER THE JUMP...

Republicans Support Marriage Equality, Says GOP Mayor In Ad Airing During Republican National Convention: VIDEO

Hoping to convince voters at the Republican National Convention to support marriage equality, Human Rights Campaign and the Freedom To Marry campaign asked GOP San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders to appear explaining to them that, yes, some on the right support LGBT progress. And that conservative politics and gay rights aren't mutually exclusive.

"As I Republican, I believe in conservative values," says Sanders, before listing "family," "freedom" and "limited government" as some of the right wing values that jibe with gay marriage. He also points out that other prominent Republicans, including Dick Cheney, Cindy McCain and Ted Olson, support opening the wedding aisle for all Americans.

Watch Sanders' video, which will air on all major channels in Tampa during the convention, AFTER THE JUMP.

Dick Cheney Saw Political Peril in Expressing His Support for Marriage Equality Too Soon: VIDEO

Dick Cheney told ABC News that even though he supported same-sex marriage during the 2000 campaign he saw no advantage in making it publicly known:

The former vice president suggested it wouldn't have done much good and probably would have sunk President George W. Bush's prospects for office. "Why?" he responded to ABC News when asked in a televised interview whether he should have pushed harder for gay couples to marry.

Cheney also talked about his daughter Mary's recent wedding to Heather Poe:

"I'm sure it was fine. We wished them well. She wanted to avoid having it be a media circus or having it become part of the political debate. So Lynn and I were very proud and happy and congratulated them."

As Brandon noted yesterday, this is the same interview in which he called Sarah Palin a "mistake". Though there's no clip of his marriage remarks, you can watch him discuss Palin, AFTER THE JUMP...

Romney Attends Fundraiser Thrown by Cheney, Avoids Being Seen with Him

Romney and Cheney "likely stole some time" earlier in the day for a private meeting, but Mitt refused to tarnish his image with Dick in public, the NYT reports:

Mr. Cheney remains unpopular with many Americans, and Mr. Romney’s team went to great lengths to avoid any public images of the two men together. When Mr. Romney arrived at the reception, he greeted Mr. Cheney with a handshake and Mr. Cheney’s wife, Lynne, with a kiss, but reporters who were within view were promptly escorted out by the campaign. (Typically, the campaign does not allow photos or videos inside its fund-raisers.)

Mr. Romney, who largely avoids mentioning former President George W. Bush and Mr. Cheney on the campaign trail, did not mention Mr. Bush at the first reception, which was open to a press pool. But once at Mr. Cheney’s private residence — which backs up to a golf course — a pool reporter within earshot of Mr. Romney’s remarks heard Mr. Romney invoke Mr. Bush but was not able to make out the context, and was again escorted away by a campaign staffer.

Dick Cheney's Daughter Mary Marries Partner Heather Poe

Mary Cheney had married Heather Poe, ABC News reports:

In a statement issue by Dick Cheney and his wife, Lynne, said, ”Our daughter Mary and her long time partner, Heather Poe, were married today in Washington, DC. Mary and Heather have been in a committed relationship for many years, and we are delighted that they were able to take advantage of the opportunity to have that relationship recognized.”

The former vice president added, “Mary and Heather and their children are very important and much loved members of our family and we wish them every happiness.”

Dick Cheney has publicly supported marriage equality for three years now. He first expressed support in June 2009 in an appearance at the National Press Club.