Conservatives, could you be friends with a staunch liberal?

[cantdrv55]

I think it'd be pretty difficult. Sooner or later, casual conversation will turn into a political discussion. Then, it's time to rip someone's head off. This is part of the reason I don't drink.

[fintstone]

Depends on how you define "staunch liberal." Many that post here are rude, arrogant, intolerant, and downright dishonest. Is that what makes a staunch liberal? On the other hand, liberals like Joe Lieberman and Zell Miller would be great friends.

[Porschekid962]

I was under the impression it was only the conservatives that are staunch....

[Nathans_Dad]

Don't know about you guys but I rarely discuss politics in a social setting. Too many other things to talk about. Airing my political laundry is why I come here!

So the answer is sure!! In fact one of my best friends all the way from high school is a diehard Democrat who works in DC for the Governors Association.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I couldn't tell you what the political orientation of most of my friends are. I could take a guess, but I don't care all that much. Now if they were enthusiastic supporters of abortion, gay marriage, etc, we might have to have words. Like Rick said, arguing about stuff like that is why we have OT.

[VINMAN]

One of my best friends is one of the biggest bleeding heart, lefty,tree hugging, stick-a-flower in your rifle, welfare supporting, PETA loving, Coom-by-ya singing guy I've ever met. We get along great. Like someone else posted, we rarely get into political discussions. When we do, most of our arguments are pretty humorous, not nasty and vile like some of the ones on here. We both know where each other stands on things, and we ain't gonna change each others opinion. So why get all bent out of shape over it.

[Tobra]

Absolutely, some of my best friends are just left of insane. If you don't have any discussion, your life loses all color

[Tervuren]

I'm very liberal, and I'm also a conservative. I don't see how the two are mutualy exclusive.

Now the term "liberal" used as a political slur, I'd ahve a time time being freinds with what the word in that usage refers to.

[Rikao4]

Sure, have a few..they are idiot's ,but, they say the same about me.
Rika

[scottmandue]

I'm with the rarely talk politics or religion with friends group.

I would like to add that most people I know are a "mixed bag" of opinions and don't subscribe to a "liberal" or Conservative" agenda.

That's right, some people form opinions and conclusions on their own... without the help of a radio talk show host!

Most intelligent people understand no two people are going to agree one hundred percent of the time. Heck, I know people who are happily married who vote differently.

[speeder]

Originally posted by fintstone
Depends on how you define "staunch liberal." Many that post here are rude, arrogant, intolerant, and downright dishonest. Is that what makes a staunch liberal? On the other hand, liberals like Joe Lieberman and Zell Miller would be great friends.

I could be friends with you because you are so damn funny sometimes.

[RoninLB]

Most everybody is a Lib in NY. If the subject can't be reduced to economics or war it's then only bs anyway. It's easy to make a Lib's face turn red.

Meanwhile even the Rep governor of NY is a Lib.

[aways]

It depends on what you mean by "staunch" and what you mean by "friends". If by "staunch" you mean a smug, sanctimounus, holier-than-thou, leftist who has to work "Bush is a liar" into every conceivable conversation, then the answer is "No".

It also depens on what you mean by "friends". It's hard to consider someone a "friend" if there is so much about everyday current events that are taboo subjects for conversation. I have lots of liberal acquaintances, several liberal friends, but no "staunch" liberal friends...

It's an interesting question, though. It would be nice to know how many liberals have Staunch conservative friends. I bet far fewer than vice-versa. My experience has been than conservatives think liberals are wrong, while liberals think conservatives are "mean". It's harder to have a friendship with someone you consider "mean", than with someone you consider wrong...

[fintstone]

Originally posted by speeder
I could be friends with you because you are so damn funny sometimes.

You. my friend...are not a staunch liberal...you occasionally have a lucid (political) thought....which is a great deal more often than several posters here You are just a product of your environment... I notice that you (and several other liberals/moderates) distance yourself from a lot of the recent anti-American nut-bag liberal stuff that is posted here.

[RANDY P]

Yes. I'm surrounded by 'em - including one whose mother was allegedly some big hitter protester who campaigned Women's Rights in Huntsville, AL in the late 60's. He used to never STFU about Republicans and Bush - that is, until the last election. I berate him constantly about being a "liberal"

As with everything, the Lib stance is just a part of the total persona. In reality, he's always broke, lazy, and constantly blames everyone else for his failures.

But he's still my buddy.

rjp

[Drago]

I consider Superman to be a friend of mine, does that count?

[darkbeer]

As clearly posted in another current thread..."Liberals are DANGEROUS" !!! approach them with caution...they are desperate people...they do not have the White Protestant Corporate Establishment backing them up...all they have is the measly little constitution, God help them...Oh, sorry...God is on the OTHER side... ooooo, this is bad...

[RoninLB]

"..all they have is the measly little constitution, "

you mean that they have been able to tilt the constitution since the 1930s through the Supreme judiciary?

those days will soon be over. They should enjoy it while they can. It's Bush's fault.

[Dantilla]

While Superman and I like to poke each other in the eye here in OT land, I have met him in person, and he is the nicest guy you could ever hope to meet. Friends? Sure.

A good friend of mine is quite a righty and is married to a beautiful girl who is pretty far left. We all get along fabulously when we're together.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Wow Scott, it's been a long time since I've seen Calvin & Hobbes. Makes me want to break out the books I still have stashed somewhere.