We both cared about people, we just differed in our views of how people should be cared for; she believed in big government, while I am sane.
Key is respect.
In my situation, it’s a bit more complicated. It isn’t straight right/left. We both agree on the important family issues, I’m very political and she is not. On some issues she is to my right, death penalty. On others she is to my left, such as health care. Makes for some interesting discussions. Depending on the test, she usually tests out as a true moderate, and I am generally libertarian scoring, (high on personal liberties, but quite fiscally and social conservative).
Only rule we have is that she initiates all the political conversations, and when we get into it, we go all the way. Everything and anything gets discussed. Any comment made isn’t, “gosh that’s such a stupid idea”, we try to tackle the why’s and wherefores. Why do you believe in this? What about this is compelling to you?
In the end, I’d rather have someone who I love and care for and who loves and cares for me, than someone who agreed with me on everything. As far as I’m concerned, there are some non-negotiables, and we agree on those. Beyond that, if she wants to vote for Obama, I don’t care. That is her decision to make, not mine. It doesn’t make me respect her less, because I know where her heart is at. She is the most amazing gal I’ve ever met.
I guess, then, it depends on how integral politics are to your daily life. We live in suburban VA, we eat, sleep and breathe politics, it's our LOCAL news. my 3 kids, ages 21, 18 and 15 are all well versed in politics because it's what we talk about at the dinner table and always have. i have a colleague whom i like very much, who is a liberal Jew from NY. we have not spoken of politics since the election. Hence, we don't speak much any more, other than now and again about our kids, office goings-on etc. I am dying to know if he is disgusted with Obams, but my fear is he will be approving of him and then i will just have to lose my mind. so i never ask, and he never volunteers.