Politics Makes Strange Bedfellows – Do You Only Date Within Your Political Affiliation?
There was this one time I dated a Republican. I actually didn’t realize he was a Republican until after I did some research and found his writings on a right wing website. During the span of about 5 months, we never discussed politics. Although we discussed religion, I never assumed just because he was Catholic, that Catholicism and his political views aligned. I took my best friend as an example. Raised Catholic, but clearly a Democrat. There were times when subjects such as abortion and women’s rights came up, and he had strong views against it, but that still doesn’t make a person a Republican. After I discovered his political writings online, I sent him an email and said, “Oh…interesting views.” His reply was a simple, “Yes, I think they are as well.” That night we planned a dinner as usual and never approached the subject again. Eventually he relocated, but we still keep in constant contact with each other.
There are several notable people that don’t share the same politics as their significant other. For example, former California governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger is Republican, but his estranged wife, Maria Shriver, is a Democrat. Not only is Mariaa Democrat, but I tend to refer to her as a“super” Democrat, because of her Kennedy bloodline. Then there’s political strategists Mary Matalin and James Carville. Carville is a staunch democrat, and ran Bill Clinton’s 1992 Presidential election. His wife, Mary, a Republican, ran the first Bush’s failed reelection. Both are seen occasionally debating each other on CNN and other news outlets. In an interview with CNN’s John King, the question was raised, how do they live in a household with such opposing views:
King: Our viewers have watched throughout the year. And so you come in here exclusively with us. And they often ask, “How can these two disagree so much and get along?”
And so we asked people to text in a question for James and Mary. And here’s what we got from Indiana:
“Love you both. Can you show both houses of Congress your secret for compromise?”
Matalin: Well, we’re not a democracy. We’re an enlightened MOM-archy. That’s what we are. [Cross talk.]
Carville: I don’t — it’s nothing if — as long as one person is not arguing, there’s nothing to argue about. I don’t have a — [Laughter.]
Carville: I don’t have a position on anything domestically. So I just say yes, and then go on and do it. I mean it. I would say the three ingredients to successful marriage is surrender, capitulation and retreat. If you’ve got those three things – [Laughter.]
Matalin: Spoken like a true liberal. What a martyr. Faith, family and good wine. That’s how we do it.
The fact that two political heavy hitters like Matalin and Carville are living harmoniously with different political affiliations shows me that, it not so much your political affiliation that matters, but if you’re able to disagree amicably about issues, and not bring them to the bedroom.
Does political affiliations play a role in your dating or marriage?
I’m a black woman and my political views are independent/moderate Republican. Although I stan for the Obamas, I’ve voted for moderate Republicans (like Mark Kirk) many time in my state of Illinois. My husband, on the other hand is a liberal Democrat. We don’t argue about it. Because I think his main issue with the Republican party is their blatant and subtle racism. Seeing that I’m a proud black women, he knows I don’t co-sign that. So our discussions end up being more substantive: mainly about the differences in economic policy between the two parties.
I have to say, though, I haven’t had anything to do with the national Republican party this election cycle. Mitt Romney was actually a decent guy (politically) prior to his run for President. He was pro-choice, pro-healthcare reform and pro-environment. Seeing him have to move so far to the right, just to “excite the base” has been really disappointing for me. It really leaves moderate Republicans like myself hanging and feeling really disconnected.
“moderate Republicans”
i think they are all extinct…….
i agree with Val, race plays a part. but i’m not so sure it’s an issue of “political affiliation” as much as it is an issue of what you value.
i’m in the middle but i think i lean more towards conservatism but i am not, (let me repeat) I AM NOT A REPUBLICAN.i’m all for women’s rights and their right to choose but i feel something should be done about welfare.
i can date most people regardless of where they stand (except for extremes,ofcourse).
What racism do you keep talking about with the Republican party Democrats are racist too? If it weren’t for a Republican then maybe slavery would’ve lasted a little longer. A lot of you Christians have some of the same ideology of the Republican party.
very different Republican party. Nearly all of the pro-slavery, pro Jim Crow Democrats became Republicans quite a while ago. The Republicans of today have been against nearly every piece of anti-subjugation legislation since the 70s. Republicans are the ones trying to get rid of affirmative action. Republicans are behind the resurgence of Confederate history month and Confederate Memorial Day. Republicans were the party that fought against MLK day and in some states instituted Robert Lee day on the same holiday. Republicans have been behind the perpetuation of education inequalities that unduly burden minorities and the poor. Their platform is blatantly anti-minority. I’m not saying that every individual Republican is a card carrying member of the KKK, but if you are in the KKK you are most likely a Republican.
Okay so let’s consider it to be a black Republican those do exist, blacks can’t be in the KKK. Let’s forget about those that are white. Why are so many black people against blacks that choose to be Republican. Black Republicans very few if any are for Robert Lee Day or support the Confederacy?
Okay so what about in terms of Black Republicans they surely can’t join the KKK and very few if any support Confederacy. Why are so many black people against those that are Black Republicans?
The confederacy doesn’t exist any more and of course they can’t join the KKK. That’s not my point. They are in the party that embraces or is embraced by those entities. They are colluding with the party that tried to block MLK day and sponsors confederate history month; the party that is still trying to block poor and minority voters from voting with new age poll taxes; that supports the prison industrial complex and differential treatment by the criminal “justice” system; that supports segregation in higher ed; that questions the citizenship of our president when they never would have done so with a black man; that supports George Zimmerman and the cops that have murdered numerous black men including Malice Green. Any black person that can support a party and politicians that are so actively working against minorities as a group is going to get a severe side eye from those of us that can see the GOP for what it is — the successor to the confederacy.
absolutely NOT! Only stipulation is, LOVE Africa. Really do, because that’s what I’m all about in a nutshell.
awww, i heart you for this!
*hugs and kisses you*
No. Me and my partner share similar political values, but even if we didn’t, it wouldn’t be a deal breaker for us to have different views. When I was dating different men, they were all black men and democrats. Maybe the fact that I am independent (I don’t identify with the Independent party nor Dem. or Rep.) makes me feel that way.