Mary Matalin is a republican who has worked for numerous campaigns and administrations running back to the Reagan years. James Carville is a democrat who has worked for the Democratic Party ever since he helped elect President Clinton in 1992. These two have appeared on a number of Sunday morning talk shows to discuss their views and, needless to say, they rarely agree. So why bring them up here on Datingish? Because they happen to be married.
As those of you in the United States know, we are less than two weeks away from Election Day. When you cast your vote on November 6th, I hope you do so for the good of your country. But how about your own good? If you are a republican, you may find other republicans to be the only ones that are "dateable." The same could be true for Democrats (or Libertarians, Anarchists, Green Party, etc).
So here is my main question:
Could you see yourself dating someone who is not affiliated with the same political party? Democrats, could you consider a relationship with someone who voted for George W. Bush? Republicans, could you do something similar with someone who voted for President Obama?
I believe James Carville and Mary Matalin must have figured out some way to compromise on many of the key issues that divide them politically.
Do you think that compromise could be the key to strengthening a relationship with someone with differing political views? This could also extend to Washington. No matter which political party is in power after November 6th, congress needs to learn how to compromise in order to further the growth of the nation.
If they were to run for elected office, I would vote for Carville or Matalin because I know that through their marriage they've had differences, but work it out for the sake of their relationship and family. Would you be willing to compromise on some of the hot button issues of today for the sake of your relationship? For the sake of your family? Would you be willing to do so for the sake of your country?
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Comments (16)
68% of new york is democrat, and the republicans are all concentrated in finance (a group of women i have already sworn off as extended social circle, and hence undateable).
so i mean...i can't really think of a reason why i would date a republican (or otherwise conservative).
I guess it depends on how passionate they both are with their politics.
....and by "passionate", I mean "stubborn."
It depends on why they associated with the party they associated with and where our views differ.
If our views differ much on abortion or gay rights, we're simply not compatible as partners. If they differ on, say, economics, then I could see that being a small thing at worst and a way to expand our minds at best.
maybe they worked it out for the sake of their social reputation/career, but it could be for the sake of their family/relationship, too. or maybe I'm used to seeing political scandals/affairs that it wouldn't be surprising if they had secret affairs.
I don't care for politics, so he can vote, believe, talk about whoever he wants to and I won't be mad. if he expects me to care, so that he has someone to discuss politics with, then I'll be annoyed. if that's the case and he cares if I care about politics even if it is the opposing party, then we aren't compatible in that area. if he's going to write me off due to that, then I'd rather not date him anyway. I'd be more annoyed if the guy is consumed with his phone or talks/texts while driving than his political views. I'd also be annoyed if the guy is religious and talks about that constantly, so political views isn't at the top of my list of dealbreakers.
I couldn't. I have very strong views on things like abortion, birth control, gay marriage, women's rights and taxes and I couldn't date someone who disagreed with me on things regarding my own body. I've never understood how a woman could be in a relationship with a man who actively wanted to change the laws to make her get paid less and who wanted the government to have ore control over her body than she did.
no. my husband and I were just talking about how we could never marry someone that had opposite political or religious views than us. We are both atheist democrats and would go insane married to a religious republican
Most likely not.
Are you kidding me? They don't have to compromise. Democrats and Republicans don't disagree on anything fundamental.
I wouldn't date or marry anyone who believed that the individual should have his life choices regulated by force. That's a big one, for me. Or someone who thought that business was inherently bad, or theft justified by circumstance.I've lived with someone of the opposite Political Party for 35 years. We get along great, but don't talk politics.
Christy
Interesting.
Two of my sociology professors (two of the most intelligent and admirable academics I've met) are married. He is in his 70s and outwardly conservative (only 1 in 30 sociologists are) and his wife is 20 years younger and has been liberal all her life. Upon first meeting, she did a feminist lecture and he told her "my dear, not only am I not a feminist, I am an anti-feminist" and somehow they ended up married--first marriage for both of them, and pretty late in life. I enjoy their story. She said this year will likely be the first time she votes for a republican but they've made it out to the polls every election just to cancel each other out Lol. It's kind of romantic.
To answer the question...I'm a libertarian and I could not date someone who leans toward favoring socialism. But that's about it.
@Manic_Butterflies@xanga - Awesome story. Thank you for sharing.
@WaitingToShrug@xanga - I agree! Laughed at this though, because I was surprised to see somebody who thought the same.
For
me it totally depends. If he loved me as much as I loved him, if I
trusted him, and if I knew we could still be the bestest of friends even
in those times that the flame dies down? Yes. It's worth it. However,
if it's the source of disagreement, of fighting and animosity? (and I
warn you, I am a stubborn hard-headed woman when it comes to my
opinions. So no backing down on my behalf once I get an idea in my
head.) Then, no. Obviously not.
@Manic_Butterflies@xanga - So gonna use " Not only am I not a feminist, I am an anti-feminist" in the future. It's brilliant.
I couldn't do it.
i'm a democrat dating a republican. we share our views, get to know each other's personalities and opnions and how we view the world and the experiences that have shaped us. there are many things we agree on and there are many things we disagree on, but we always talk about it civally and share our opinions to further each other's knowledge. we don't condemn the other for thinking a certain way. on seriously hot topic issues like women's rights, etc. we agree (i admit it would be a dealbreaker if he did not agree with my views on women's rights) but on other things like the best path for our economy, no one can accurately ensure what will be best for our country, everything is an experiment we learn from, we share our views, form our opinions, which of course can change, and we work it out. it's a shame democrats and republicans can't get along because beyond our political affiliations we are all differnet on many other levels as well, the issue is not separating yourself from the "other" it's getting to understand and empathizing (but that doesn't mean aligning your beliefs)
They're both probably pretty open-minded when it comes to politics. Or else they just don't bring their work home with them.