Mary Cheney marries long-time partner Heather Poe

The Daily Caller reported today that Mary Cheney, the openly gay daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, has married her long-time partner Heather Poe.

"Cheney spokeswoman Kara Ahern confirmed to TheDC that the couple married Friday morning in Washington, D.C.," said The Daily Caller.

The former Vice President, a supporter of gay marriage, and his wife, Lynne, told the Caller that they were "delighted" tht the couple had their "relationship recognised."

"Our daughter Mary and her long time partner, Heather Poe, were married today in Washington, DC," the Cheneys said.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that "The couple, who live in Virginia and have been partners for at least 20 years, have two children. Mary Cheney gave birth to a son in 2007 and a daughter in 2009.

"During the Bush-Cheney Republican re-election campaign in 2004, Mary Cheney's sexual orientation became a topic of discussion of televised debates.

"Gay rights groups have criticized her for not pushing harder for gay marriage. Social conservatives, like the group Focus on the Family, have criticized her for rearing children in a same-sex relationship."

"We are all so happy for Heather and Mary and their beautiful kids," friend and former Cheney adviser Mary Matalin told TheDC. "Happy and moved by the blessing of their commitment and strength."

The Cheney marriage came on the day that t new Associated Press-GfK survey found 42 percent of respondents oppose gay marriage, 40 percent support it and 15 percent are neutral.

"Last year," the Journal-Constitution continued, "a similar poll on whether same-sex couples should be allowed to be legally married in their state found 45 percent opposing, 42 percent favoring and 10 percent neutral. The poll of 1,007 adults had a margin of error of between plus or minus 4.0 and 4.2 percentage points."