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.