Politics and Dating: Can a Conservative Date a Liberal?

self | April 15, 2002 | self

[SpyderTim]

Please excuse the vanity. Due to the overwhelming success of "Liberals That You Like (Name The Liberals That You LIKE!!!)" I thought it'd be interesting to pose a question I don't recall seeing before here.

Can a conservative date a liberal? And vice versa. (How the hell do Matalin and Carville stay married?)

Must political discussions simply be avoided at all costs?

Does "agreeing to disagree" actually work?

Anyone here been successful at it? (Let's face it, Freepers are a rare breed of political activists/junkies. How the heck can one be opinionated and conservative and still date an opinionated liberal?)

[SpyderTim]

And by under their control you mean...

[SpyderTim]

Would you ever date/marry one of these moderate folks?

[SpyderTim]

"WHY would a Conservative WANT to date a Liberal?" If said conservative liked enough other things about said liberal?

[Hobsonphile]

Well, I've been dating a man for three years who is more liberal than I am, and so far, it hasn't put a damper on our relationship. Recently, we were arguing about the UN- my little brother was sure we would break up on that issue, but I think I was rather successful at getting him to see my POV. ;)

[SpyderTim]

Okay, sounds like you got a handle on your situation. I guess my question would then be how opinionated he is? That's kind of the point of this thread, whether or not two politically active persons of differing political philosophies/ideolgies can make it work?

I've concluded that it is possible if one or both is somewhat moderate on a few issues, but if both are on the far end of their side, it is virtually impossible.

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

Sure a conservative can date a liberal. The key is that both people involved have to be mature and know how to handle conflict and not view everything as " My way or the highway".

[SpyderTim]

Surely, not an easy task to accomplish. But I suppose if it is the right person, it's worth the effort?

[Born on the Storm King]

The question should be "Can a Conservative date a fallen angel?" although I realize that some liberals are simply Children of God who are losing or have lost their souls.

[macclim8ed]

Depends on the reason why you're dating the person. Highly religious people are justifiably against what they call "missionary dating," that is, dating someone you find attractive when you KNOW they disagree with most (or all) of your value system, using the excuse that they could be converted. If you are searching for a lifemate, a partner, I don't see how it would be possible to make a true commitment to someone who is working against your core values at every opportunity.

In other words, the Carville-Matalin match amazes me, too -- unless there's a lot about one or both of them that we don't know. (Are they graduates of the P.T. Barnum School of Public Relations?)

The person's stands on individual issues, coupled with their overall logic level, have always been important to me. Political topics have often found their way into my "first date" conversations, even back in high school. I've learned that some people are incapable of logic. For example, since when is the life of a whale or a tree more important than the life of a child? And why do so many men and women in this day and age know nothing about birth control? Yet, some would call me a liberal for believing that no woman should be forced to bear a child of incest or rape.

Yes, it's about character. And, it's about the defense of freedom.

Often, I understand very well why someone disagrees with me on any given issue. However, I draw the line at certain "red flags." I particularly abhor those stands which injure others (an EX-boyfriend of mine defended the First Amendment so far as to excuse a taste for child pornography). It also amazes me that some individuals fail to acknowledge that their political stands threaten the basic freedoms our founding fathers guaranteed to ALL of us (if we lose the Second Amendment, we can kiss the rest goodbye).

Guess the best way to find like-minded members of the opposite sex is to frequent those places you'd go to even if they weren't there. Gee, why didn't this occur to me at the age of 18?

[SpyderTim]

"...since when is the life of a whale or a tree more important than the life of a child?"

This reminds me of:

"Your Weekly Politickle by F.R. Duplantier":

HYPER LYNX

They've found lynx hair over there,

And more lynx hair over here.

The endangered lynx

Is okay, methinks,

When there's lynx hair everywhere!

From the archive:

PRESERVATION CAJUN-STYLE

Save the salmon and save the seal,

Save the gator and save the eel,

The dolphin, the whale,

The mussel, the snail:

Save them all for my next meal.

[SpyderTim]

time for another bump

[null and void]

Political topics have often found their way into my "first date" conversations, even back in high school.

She's not kidding...

[SpyderTim]

I've found that I can be interested in a woman if she can express herself logically, regardless of her political philosophy. I respect a woman (or anyone for that matter)for standing up for her beliefs and making a case for them that is based on more than mere emotions. I cannot be interested in a woman that simply follows along with the crowd...even if it is a conservative crowd. And I definetly cannot be interested in a woman who expresses no interest in politics or world issues and is more concerned with her makeup and weight than her intellect. I've concluded that dating a "liberal" is certainly possible, particularly if they are somewhat moderate rather than a rabid leftist or Marxist. The latter, I believe, is not even worth the effort.

Does anyone have any comments to share regarding my above stated outlook?

[null and void]

Would you like to meet my ex-wife???

[SpyderTim]

No.

[PJ-Comix]

Hmm... Since I started the "Liberals That You Like" thread I figure I would throw in my two cents here. The fact is, how would you even know that you were dating a liberal? Let's see....If you're dating a pretty woman, about the last thing you would really want to talk about is politics. Somehow the subject wouldn't even be on my mind.

Yeah, I can just picture myself out on a date with Petra Verkaik and I turn the conversation around to a discussion of the Federal Reserve System....NOT in this universe!!!

[null and void]

Good answer!

[stillonaroll]

...moderate conservatives who identify themselves as liberal because A) they're pro-choice...

Please consider usage of the more accurate phrase, "pro-abortion." It better reflects the reality of one's politics.

In my view, a woman's pro-abortion stance would disqualify her from being considered eligible dating material. A woman who would potentially kill her own baby is repulsive.

[Happygal]

Oh, go ahead and say it! You're looking for a liberal nymphomaniac who runs a bar, ain't ya?

*LOL*...I'll settle for any ol' nymphomaniac who runs a bar! *L*

[Argh]

A month and a half later and still no correct answer.

The correct answer, based on personal experience (I wouldn't want you to think I was making this up), is, "Yes, if her breasts are large enough." Thank you. You're welcome. :^)