Powell, Cheney, Laura Bush news clips used in pro-gay marriage ad

The Respect for Marriage Coalition, a gay rights group, launched a national ad campaign today featuring clips and quotes of prominent Republicans who support same-sex marriage.

RMC’s TV ad, which will begin airing today on cable channels and then on network Sunday news programs, uses old news clips of former first lady Laura Bush, former Vice President Dick Cheney and former State Secretary Colin Powell. Print editions of the ad, featuring the same figures, will run in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post over the coming weeks, according to a release from RMC.

In the ad, Bush is seen in a CNN appearance saying… “When couples are committed to each other and love each other then they ought to have the same sort of rights that everyone has.”

Powel, also on CNN: “Allowing them to live together with the protection of law, it seems to me is the way we should be moving in this country.”

Cheney, during a speech at the National Press Club in 2009: “Freedom means freedom for everyone.”

Cheney’s daughter Mary is a lesbian and was legally married last year.

An excerpt from President Obama‘s Inaugural address is also included in the ad.

Watch: