She's dead-on. Who are the Democratic champions?? Bill Clinton? He's a predator. John Kerry?? He's a giggolo. Tom Daschle? He's a wet Kleenex. Michael Moore is a pig. The irony is she's still a Democrat who can't see the forest for the trees.....

The greatest love of my life was a Democrat. He was charming, funny, kind, irreverent - just the greatest guy ever. But our conversations were not about politics, because that wasn't our main bond. Our bond was music, books, humor, etc. I couldn't have cared less how he voted.

I think there's an enormous difference between the LEADERS of a party (who are politicians, and for that very reason not to be trusted) - and your everyday citizen. To judge all Democrats by the behavior of the loudest and most obnoxious members of the Party is, I think, too easy. Too simplistic. That, for me, would be like judging all Republicans by Pat Buchanan (I abhor that man).

You can look at the leaders of either party and I wouldn't want to date ANY of them! (Well, maybe John McCain.)

Just my wee two cents worth, Mitch.

Red,

I have dated some wonderful women who happened to be Democrats (or in one case, a Green). It's not a showstopper. My parents are both Democrats. So are many of my best friends.

I understand your distinction. I linked the article partly because I have run into quite a few women for whom being a Republican is a complete show-stopper - some are really insulting about it - and partly because...well, it was fun.

I think it's more a DC thing. Most everyone I know who was spend any time in DC has come back a complete asshole. I think it's either something in the water or being surrounded by other assholes that does it...

Jay: That's a very funny point. I am sure that living in DC must do something to one's personality, where it is all politics all the time.

Mitch: It's quite an interesting piece that you linked to - I would have a hard time dating someone who was on the fringe left, and who also thought that anyone who was conservative was evil. I don't want to spend my time in a romance battling out stuff like that. The primary thing I need is an open mind and a sense of humor.

Red: Well put. I'd rather be involved with a funny, interesting, open-minded, compassionate lefty (and avoid talking politics) than a nutjob. Not that I've successfully avoided nutjobs, mind you.

Jay: Fascinating point. Although it's worth noting that Lileks actually went to DC a liberal, and came back right of center. And a great guy.

All academic at this point anyway.

Hey Mitch, how come you don't have a e-mail contact for yourself around here?

Contact me regarding gainful employment.

And Mitch is a helluva fellow, too.

Jay's on to something. That article brought back everything I couldn't stand about DC - the insularity, the self-regard, the sense of awesome Specialness you get when everyone around you is 27, single, smart, and bobbing around in the great warm jacuzzi of Power. It leads to a high degree of jackassery.

What I always found amusing was that DC itself was a perfect example of liberal policies at work - and the city was a utter mess. Most of the bright young things regarded the local government with bemused contempt, too. "Doesn't this tell you something?" I'd ask. Nope. The failure of the idea in practice had no impact on their faith in the idea itself.

TJ - I sent you an email. Let me know if it didn't get to you.

James - Not only do I notice that from that certain class of DC people - the young ones nipping around the fringes of power - but I get that in certain bars in St. Paul as well - the ones where the young caucus assistants and newsies and such hang out after work. "Kids - you're in SAINT PAUL..."

I wonder how I escaped becoming a complete asshole after living in DC for 10 yrs....oh wait.....

So, James:

Was the movie "Saint Elmo's Fire" on target for its portrayal of DC single yuppies?

Can't comment on the rest. My single's career ended my second year in college and I haven't looked back. I thank my lucky stars I never had to date after being a student.

Never saw "St. Elmo's Fire" - I figured the theme song was put out on the radio as a warning to stay far, far away.

Not "St. Elmo's Fire," but "The West Wing." Everyone's a star in DC, breathless stuff-- next best thing to Hollywood! But don't confuse "official" Washington with "down home" Washington. There are alot of good people there, always have been. They just need school vouchers for their children.

Note to "Red": Pat Buchanan never was and never will be the leader of the Republican Party, as was Teddy Kennedy once for the Democrats, AFTER that nasty business at Chappaquidick. Most recently Bill Clinton led the party --and the nation-- into what by any standard was a national disgrace. Not even Nixon cheated on his wife or turned the Oval Office into a communal stall.

Certainly it is false to assume that all Democrat Party constituents resemble "the loudest, most obnoxious" members of their leadership. The problem is the members nevertheless nominate and elect them to the detriment of everybody, apparently requiring no higher standard. So where, really, is the difference?

About the Author of your linked column:

"If relationships make you smarter, then Elle Parker should be the newest member of MENSA. From the guy that never called to the one that resulted in an engagement, Elle has dated them all and has the stories to prove it. Whether they have been virgins or whores, geeks or bad boys, straight or gay, trust us ... she's dated them. A mix of humor, slight cynicism and unfailing hope, Elle defines her life by the friends that stay and the dates that come and go. A 24-year-old transplant from the South who has always dreamed of making a home in Washington, Elle works in the field of politics."

That made me smile.

Eracus:

I think all politicians are snakes, regardless of party affiliation. If you don't think Pat Buchanan is an appropriate choice for my example, then pick any of the other big-wigs of the Republican party (except for John McCain) and it would still be the same answer for me.

Gee whiz, didn't John McCain help Charles Keating bilk $3.4 BILLION out of Lincoln S & L?? Biggest fraud on the books and he beat it. Now he's a media darling. Go figure.

I just think he's kind of sexy, that's all. :)

“I just think he's kind of sexy, that's all. :)”

Hmm, I’ve heard a number of women make such comments about George W Bush but that’s the first time I’ve heard that about John McCain. It could be that some women’s tastes run more towards Popeye than puppy dogs. ;)

I like puppy dogs, sure, but I don't find them sexy!! But Popeye ... hmmm. That's another story.

Fascinating question.

Red - Popeye or Puppy?

As far as trusting politicians goes - it's something they earn. The conundrum is, there are politicans that I *know* are "slippery" in the sense that their beliefs are to some extent malleable - Norm Coleman, Tim Pawlenty, even the President - that I trust fairly implicitly to do the right thing anyway, while others that are not in the least slippery (in the sense that their beliefs are defined to the point of rigidity) are among those I don't want NEAR any real power - Wellstone, Buchanan, Alan Quist and so on.

Back to McCain - if I were female (and in the wake of the Plain Layne saga one really never knows, does one?) I'd probably have found the Vietnam-era McCain kinda happenin'. But I'm a guy (as far as y'all know...).

I see what you're saying, Mitch. The rigidity is, to some degree, what scares me about those people. The words "blinkered fanatics" comes to mind - and since the original post was about crossing party lines in romance, I'll just say that I don't find blinkered fanatics all that attractive.

I could give you many reasons why I find McCain a bit hot (the whole prisoner of war thing, the injury to his arms, and his general "way" in public), but I would just start to sound more and more like a lunatic.

I can sound like a lunatic on my own blog (Bogart??) but I feel a bit shy about that here.

"I can sound like a lunatic on my own blog (Bogart??) but I feel a bit shy about that here."

Why? You'd fit in perfectly.

(And someday I'm going to have to uncork a Red-esque series of screeds on Ingrid Bergman, which could easily rival your Bogart series).

(OK, your Cary Grant series).

"since the original post was about crossing party lines in romance, I'll just say that I don't find blinkered fanatics all that attractive"

Which is a longtime topic on this blog - the shocking number of women I've met who've cut things off IMMEDIATELY when they learned my politics.

"Lips that touch Hayek may never touch mine!"

Hm. May have to touch on this again...

Not to torment you or anything, Mitch, but check this out:

http://www.scandinaviahouse.org/programs.html

{sigh}

There are times I wish I was in New York more often.

Although that's the kind of thing that eventually finds its way here, thankfully. Thanks for the pointer - I'll have to watch for the exhibit...

Funny, I remember my brother [who works for AFSCME, even] telling me years ago -- and I quote -- "Republican women smell better."

This might make me sound like an a-hole, and I don't mean to, but republican women are almost always better in the sack.