''With respect to the question of relationships, my general view is freedom means freedom for everyone . . . People ought to be free to enter into any kind of relationship they want to.
''The question that comes up with the issue of marriage is, what kind of official sanction or approval is going to be granted by government? Historically, that's been a relationship that has been handled by the states. The states have made that fundamental decision of what constitutes a marriage," he said.
Bush backs a constitutional amendment prohibiting gay marriage, a move Cheney says was prompted by various judicial rulings, including the action in Massachusetts that made gay marriage legal.
''I think his perception was that the courts, in effect, were beginning to change, without allowing the people to be involved," Cheney said. ''The courts were making the judgment for the entire country."
Addressing Bush's position on the amendment, Cheney said that despite his preference, ''the president makes policy for the administration. He's made it clear that he does, in fact, support a constitutional amendment on this issue."
Those comments drew criticism from the conservative Family Research Council, with President Tony Perkins.
''I find it hard to believe the vice president would stray from the administration's position on defense policy or tax policy," Perkins said. ''For many profamily voters, protecting traditional marriage ranks ahead of the economy and job creation as a campaign issue."
Perkins added that if Cheney sees a problem with activist judges, ''then how can he not endorse the same solution the president and his profamily allies have proposed? We urge Vice President Cheney to support President Bush and a constitutional amendment on marriage."
Steven Fisher, spokesman for the Human Rights Campaign, a gay and lesbian advocacy group, said Cheney's remarks show a stark difference with Bush's efforts ''to put discrimination in the Constitution."
''President Bush is feeling the heat. The administration has been using gay Americans to drive a wedge into the electorate. There are millions of American families who have gay family members and friends who are offended by the president's use of discrimination," Fisher said.
