What do I say to my Dad's extreme right wing friend during his visit to New York?

My dad has a childhood friend who is visiting home (New York City) in a couple of weeks. They get along great but the only problem is the discussion of politics. He is going to want to hear about me voting for the first time and wants to know I am sure who I voted for (Obama and proud of that fact). But, he is a STRONG Republican who is convinced that Bush is one of the best presidents that we have seen in our nations history. He also believes that Obama is someone who has connection to terrorists and is a socialist/communist.

What do I say to a person like this?

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Excellent advice, Mistress O!

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My friend's technique around election time with his family: "I'm sorry, I didn't hear you. What did you say?" Repeated enough times, it gets the point across.

Some contrarian advie - I think adults of differing opinions should be able to discuss politics rationally and maturely.

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What do I say to a person like this?

Say hello. This guy is your dad's friend, not yours. Be polite and remember a 'sudden engagement, school report, etc.' if the subject turns to politics.

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Look your dad's friend straight in the eye and say "Some people on Broadwayworld.com think I'm a sock puppet".

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It sounds like your dad is also liberal. If that's so, then if politics is brought up I'm sure he will do some debating himself or just drop it. I'd say if you're dad argues, then by all means back him up, but if he doesn't then don't say anything either.

And then run out of the room and go scream into a pillow.

(FYI, My family is filled with hardcore Republicans. I know exactly how you feel.)

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well, start by saying hello.

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tell him to go eat a dick then offer to feed him yours

"I voted for the candidate I believe will do our country the most good."

I don't see anything wrong with being open and honest, but do prepare a dignified response should he decide he needs to argue you with you and you're uncomfortable pursuing it.

"I'm sorry the difference in our views bothers you; let's not pursue this line of discussion any further. Tell me, how is your wife/kid/herbaceous border these days?" or something. A polite but firm topic change.

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Updated On: 12/8/08 at 03:13 PM

My dad's friend was over for dinner tonight and let's say it didn't go as well as I had wanted. He is someone that is happy when someone who turns 18 actually cares about an election and chooses to vote. However when I told him I didn't care to say who I voted for he took it as a sign that I voted for Obama and rolled his eyes. He then started to spill out the same right wing propaganda that we all have heard time and time again. He asked me how can I vote for a man who has terrorist ties. My response was if you think he has terrorist ties then I have a bridge in Brooklyn to tell you. He then responded with a false story about Obama and Ayers and I told him the truth. Needless to say he got backed into a corner by my dad, and my eldest brother who was a political science major in college and the biggest loud mouth Democrat you could ever meet. Aquward it was but I did have some help.

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I'm not gonna lie. The thought of punching him did seem pretty tempting several times during the conversation.

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My favorite part was when we were talking about how the Iraq war is a repeat of Vietnam. He was saying that in both wars we were greeted with open arms. My fast response was "yes because in Iraq I am sure that killing people left and right is just our special way of saying hello. But, back in the sixties our way of saying hello was raping the women of Vietnam and dropping napalm on towns."

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