It’s about issues for me, so a partner has to be pro-reproductive choice and justice, anti-white supremacy culture, anti-NRA, a feminist, LGBTQ welcoming, peace loving, a climate change believer, and basically anti-everything Trump-Pence. And they must love dogs. ?

Well, this is a pleasant surprise! A whole thread (almost) of lefties! The image we have in Australia of the US is one of an ultra right-wing country. It always amuses me the way that American Republicans call people who support public health and education.....as 'Socialists'....... as if that's the most hideously derogatory term that could be used against anyone....... hahaha. I agree with you! Our politics are about how we treat other people and share our resources. How could we ever be compatible with someone whose (right-wing) politics allow them to take all the power, money, food and other resources and just dole out the bare minimum for us (lefties) to survive on?

Absolute deal-breaker for me. I'm a Liberal Democrat Socialist. And not to be arrogant but I consider most right-winger conservative bible thumpers to be brain damaged. And I don't care what people think of me.

I am a Liberal minded person, I can get along with the LGBT community just fine, I feel that the country would be better off with out guns, and Trump is a nitwit and a nincompoop, that someone should build a wall around just him, well him and the Republican party,?!!!

For me, I could not have a long term relationship with someone who was a Drumpf supporter. That tells me they have the morals of a snake. I just find nothing redeeming about Der Donald, and someone who thinks he has any redeeming features has terribly poor judgement in my opinion. This is not someone I want or need to spend a good deal of time with and frankly I can't see how they would fit into my life. OMG, it would be like dating my ex. Pardon me while I go lose my breakfast.

It did not used matter so much since there was always a certain amount of consensus between political parties on fundamental things like the public good, law and order, education, health care etc.
However in my adult life time I have seen the polarisation of left and right, extremism rise on both sides, inflexibility, the collapse of tolerance ironically in the name of greater tolerance and loss of national identity.
I think today politics has become a tribal idealisation, a divisive hurdle it would be almost impossible for a relationship to overcome.
In short in an increasingly secular world, politics has become the new religion.

I couldn't. There's a fundamental difference between left wingers and right wingers.

I tried, didn't work. It's not really about political party, it's about values. Deep down Religious people look down on you because going to Church makes them feel "virtuous." To me anyone who's against gun control and pro-war has blood on their hands. I would never be able to date a racist pig or anyone pushing for more deportations. I could compromise on other issues though. I'm a progressive liberal coming from France with a different perspective.

Incompatible with conservatives, for the most part. So, no.

Yes I know how you feel

I feel the same as you. Just couldn’t do it.

I also do not trust conservatives. They are not religious. \Since they are not majority they have aligned with the religious right to expand their voter base. Other than that when do you see Trump going to Church on Sunday. Sundays is for golfing.

I agree. I could not go out with a staunch republican. I have two of my cousins that are far right wing. We do get along very well but I cannot take much of their politics and religion.

I hate labels, because they really don't tell me very much about what the person really believes.

When people ask me what i am politically, i say, choose whatever label makes you most comfortable; conservative socialist, socialistic conservative, or fiscally conservative democratic socialist; or you could ask me how i feel about issues like war, equality, medicare, or the environment. That's what's important, isn't it?

If my partner and i can reach consensus on the important issues facing people and society, the labels make no difference to me.

We can be friends if they're otherwise very interesting and we don't talk about all the crap that causes them to be Conservative, but I don't want a Conservative in my bed, ever. Don't get me started...

In my case, it doesn't matter at all. In my thinking, religion and ideology fall within the same group of human creations, those which are not to be taken seriously unless you want to make your life miserable. I have never had a partner that I could say shared all my political views, some have come close but there have always been disagreements which resulted in wonderful discussions and I have never had a breakup for political reasons

Keep in mind that it's difficult to change someone's mind about issues that they're invested in, especially when they're force fed information that enhances their confirmation bias daily.

It doesn't matter what side of town fence you're on, you're going to have a hard time accepting any information that doesn't play into your already biased opinion... Unless you recognize that fact!

To the liberals... When was the last time you heard Hannity say something that wasn't an outright bullshit lie pandering to conservatives?

Conservatives... Same question about Maddow.

If 50% of the people think one person is lying 100% of the time and the other 50% think the opposite viewpoint is lies 100% of the time...

Does this make sense? You need to be open minded and aware enough to understand that both sides do the same thing.

My point is that I think it's possible to have a relationship with someone that has a different viewpoint than you, so long as they are open minded and willing to accept that everything does not have to be black and white, and especially understand that most of what you hear or read in the "news" has been colored to elicit a specific response from you. No matter what your political viewpoints are.

My closest friend is politically my polar opposite. However, believe it or not, neither of us are actually religious, racist, misogynistic, heartless, rich, or poor, etc. We're very similar people in fact. But one subtle shift caused me to align myself one way and him the other.

We don't talk politics, we don't talk religion. We enjoy each other's company and its almost never been an issue.

Now I have to wonder how many people have made up their mind what side of the fence I'm on. ?

I couldn't do it. Now more than ever. I tried off and on with one religious,
right wing republican woman for three years in college. I don't know why we bothered. But it was religion and politics that was constantly in our way. I could never date a republican. Religion is ok as long as I don't have to hear about it or be a part of it. My wife is a devout Christian. Always has been. We were both afraid it would be an issue. Especially If We had kids. But we talked it out and we've had no problems in what will be 21 years next month.

Yes, I definitely feel this way

Gee, if being a Republican or a Christian were deal breakers, I would never get to go out!

I figure if they can put up with an ardent atheist and Bernie-crat, then I should try to be tolerant too.

I think a relationship can still work with differences like those if both people value their relationship more than what they differ on.

Im a Progressive Independent. I vote Green. So naturally I have to date outside my party because nobody's hip enough to be in it!

Define "conservative". Is someone who voted Democrat on the straight ticket, every election since the age of 18, still defined as a conservative because he owns guns? I guess my question is, do you consider support for the candidates a deal breaker, or is it specific issues?

One of my favorite people to hangout (and make out) with is a conservative Christian. We enjoy each other's company, share a love of outdoor activities and have some very interesting conversations. Open minds and open hearts are what matter.

From personal experience it is difficult

Absolutely. I could not be pleasant or tolerant towards a Trumper. Those with what were historically "moderate Republican" views, especially if economically conservative but socially more liberal leaning, would be given a chance. We really have a divided country, as the oligarchs planned.... and it has brought about natural "repellent" between us common people.