I mean, yes. He's my friend. However, voting for him and campaigning for him would be A) a kind of reverse nepotism and B) a betrayal of my own political beliefs. Voting for people just because they're your friends isn't at all the point of the political system.
I pride myself on staying true to my personal politics, so i voted my gut -- neither vote or campaign for him. To avoid this decision having a negative effect on the friendship, i might frame it to him as follows: You know that our friendship has never been affected by our disagreement on politics, and its because of that i don't want to get involved in your political life. I'm always here if you need an ear, a hug, or a good devil's advocate.
I sort of had Justin in mind when I wrote this, by the way. I mean, when he runs for President one day, I just can't imagine not giving him some sort of support, even though I'd generally not support a candidate anything like him.
That's actually a completely different answer, then.
Justin manages to be a Republican who values all the personal rights and freedoms that i do while having a totally reasonable angle on fiscal conservatism and a very sensible foreign policy. I would work and vote for him in a heartbeat.
But my friends actually believe their political positions, which is a great improvement over my impression of most politicians. That said, I doubt I would either vote or campaign for em.
Call me crazy ("Mr. Crazy!"), but if I haven't already alienated all of my "politically wayward" friends, then they can probably tolerate my not voting and not campaigning for them. I'm glad to see that everyone else is unwilling to compromise their beliefs for cheap, short-term gains. Friendship is an institution that has nothing to do with one's political views - so paying for friendship in the coin of political support is very harmful indeed, both to friendship as a concept (Nerdspeak: the "Friendship Class") and to the friendship in question (Nerdspeak: an "Instance Object Of The Friendship Class").
Everyone: The fact that it would be really cool to know the governor (or whatever) personally and be good friends with him doesn't enter into the decision at all?
You still get to know the governor (or whatever). Friendship is not a partisan establishment. Again, if this person would cut you off just because you didn't support their bid for office, they could have just as easily cut you off years previous when they first found out about your difference of opinion. In either case, i don't think they'd qualify as much of a friend.
I just don't see the dilemma. Perhaps if you're hoping to, say, win a cushy government job via nepotism, then maybe you need to kiss a little ass. Personally i still frown on it, but you can do whatever you'd like, Ambassador Desh.
As one of your few friends who actually disagrees with you. I think it depends on how much influence i had on this friend. If I thought that this friend would listen to me or to others in my possition and critically make a decission including my thoughts then I might vote for him. If I think this person was set in his ideas then no I wouldn't vote for him. I would not help him campain but I am sure I would help him raise money.
I think I voted for the fourth option with an understanding that I would personally support my friend, just not politically. I understand that sometimes people can be swayed by the people closest to them, but I would prefer not to take a risk with my political allegiences and my personal friendships.
P.S. Desh, it's Drea from SIG, drop me a line sometime.
These are all fascinating arguments, and I voted for the last option which seems to be a popular one. And yes, I'd support my friend in taking on this challenge, and hopefully that friend would engage with me in arguments of political nature [as most of my friends so obligingly do], and perhaps take into account my opinions.
But the real kicker for me is: why the male pronouns? [I know, Desh, you're shocked that I would bring such a thing to light. Totally uncharacteristic. See you in a couple weeks.]
My general policy is to pick one, rather than use one of the invented pronouns, use s/he, or go all Jane Austen and use singular "they" (though I do the latter sometimes). And I had a male friend in mind when writing it.
that's stupid. no offense, darling, but it is.. justin o [right, that's what this is all about] is not every politician [thank god - again, justin, no offense but you know the etshaloms aren't republicans] so if the question is remotely hypothetical and not just about justin, make it hypothetical and not gender- or pronoun- specific. i think it's important to recall that sexism exists so if you're going to fight it, notice how your language conveys your views [and recognize when it conveys the idea that dudes are the only ones in politics, etc]. they're playing 'white christmas' on the radio. this is confusing.
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Well...
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Justin manages to be a Republican who values all the personal rights and freedoms that i do while having a totally reasonable angle on fiscal conservatism and a very sensible foreign policy. I would work and vote for him in a heartbeat.
Why do you ask
Mmmm candy. Maybe you would have my vote
call me a cynic
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--Jeff
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I just don't see the dilemma. Perhaps if you're hoping to, say, win a cushy government job via nepotism, then maybe you need to kiss a little ass. Personally i still frown on it, but you can do whatever you'd like, Ambassador Desh.
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Not if they don't win, which you can help impact by voting or campaigning.
Eh, whatever. I shouldn't argue this much about whimsical hypotheticals.
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P.S. Desh, it's Drea from SIG, drop me a line sometime.
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But the real kicker for me is: why the male pronouns?
[I know, Desh, you're shocked that I would bring such a thing to light. Totally uncharacteristic. See you in a couple weeks.]
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My general policy is to pick one, rather than use one of the invented pronouns, use s/he, or go all Jane Austen and use singular "they" (though I do the latter sometimes). And I had a male friend in mind when writing it.
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they're playing 'white christmas' on the radio. this is confusing.