I’m self-employed and have been for over 20 years, so my view may not be applicable.
I categorize this type of situation as “NPG” = No Possible Gain. There’s simply nothing you can gain from participating in such chatter. And as I see it, you gain poise and distinguish yourself from the yakkers by staying clear. Your boss doesn’t pay you to chat with your co-workers and you sure aren’t going to convert them.
I live in No. Cal (lib central) at the moment and the number of upper-middle-class and (you’d think) pretty smart folks I run into who have the Obama books piled up on their coffee tables and are just gaga over this punk is both discouraging and mind blowing. The other day at a gathering I heard a few of them discussing where (meaning other states) they should travel to as Obama volunteers so as to do the most good. Me? I just don’t even get involved. Won’t even start.
Good advice. But I'm a California Native. I grew up with Ronald Reagan as our great Governor......and then of course as President. I really don't care if I engage in friction with Libs. They can slink away while I carry-on with my pro-Republican points. I really don't care. It's like spraying the room with Lysol.