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Looking for Mr. Far Right
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Somewhere in between college and the election, I started allowing politics to dictate the kind of men I date. And the worst part is, it’s not just Obama supporters who turn me off—it’s often my father’s.
The election killed my personal life.
OK, maybe killed is a bit of an exaggeration. But it does seem to be on life support. Of all the things people warned would happen post-election, no one ever said anything about how complicated dating would become. Especially if your dad loses the election. There are things that have been difficult, but nothing quite as tough as dating. I fear the election has destroyed my ability and desire to date. Now, I cannot say at any point in my life that I have been very good at dating. But I have become something I used to despise: people who let politics dictate his or her attraction to someone.
One extreme fan of my mother’s recently told me I could be “his Cindy.” And then asked me if I ever wore pearls because they probably would look as good on me as they do on my mother.
I am a person that has always prided myself on keeping politics out of my relationships. I think I would have probably graduated from Columbia friendless had I made politics a focal point in any of my friendships during college. I have many friends who openly voted for Barack Obama (many of them also didn’t). Who my friends voted for is of no concern to me. I am adult enough to understand that people vote for their own personal reasons, and I know how personal politics can be to someone.
This is how I expected my attitude to remain after the election. And it has continued that way with my friends. But when it comes to dating, it's become an entirely different subject. And I promise, no one is more surprised by this revelation than I am. If I am adult enough to understand that voting is one of the most personal things a person can do, why am I letting it affect how attracted to someone I am? I know that no one can really explain sexual attraction and why you are drawn to someone or not—but at this point in time, nothing kills my libido quite like discussing politics.
Here's the biggest surprise: I am not only turned off by people who voted for Barack Obama, but I am also turned off by people that voted for my dad—or more so, obsessive supporters of my dad. Recently, over dinner, a guy started explaining his reasons for supporting President Obama during the election (I didn’t ask, I think the poor guy felt guilty) and I immediately found any attraction I had previously had dissipate. But same thing happens if a guy starts talking about all the reasons why my father should be president. I have the ultimate Catch-22 in post-election dating. So where does that leave me, and who exactly am I attracted to? Let’s just say I’m spending a lot of time writing and even more time with my girlfriends.
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Paul Schrodt is a writer living in New York City. He has contributed to New York magazine, Radar, and Esquire.com.
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The Daily Beast is dedicated to news and commentary, culture, and entertainment. We carefully curate the web’s most essential stories and bring you original must-reads from our talented contributors.
Politicians Need Privacy, Too
Meghan McCain is a columnist for The Daily Beast. Originally from Phoenix, she graduated from Columbia University in 2007. She is a New York Times bestselling children's author, previously wrote for Newsweek magazine, and created the Web site mccainblogette.com.
Yes, I'm a Pure Republican
Meghan McCain is a columnist for The Daily Beast. Originally from Phoenix, she graduated from Columbia University in 2007. She is a New York Times bestselling children's author, previously wrote for Newsweek magazine, and created the Web site mccainblogette.com.
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Meghan McCain is a columnist for The Daily Beast. Originally from Phoenix, she graduated from Columbia University in 2007. She is a New York Times bestselling children's author, previously wrote for Newsweek magazine, and created the Web site mccainblogette.com.
mintvagoo
These just keep getting worse.
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jblong
She seems like a nice girl.
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dareg08
Her friends "openly voted for" Obama? She speaks of herself as one who is "adult enough to understand that people vote for their own personal reasons", but precedes this with a statement indicating that voting for Obama is something akin to having an STD. It's perfectly OK to dislike Obama, as 25% of the electorate seem to (see: Appalachia), but the author should "openly" do so, rather than contradict herself so blatantly.
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crytomodat
It sounds like your problem isn't that people are X-supporters, but rather that they drape their politics all over them like it makes them interesting. There are only two parties, and belonging to one of them is not interesting enough to fuel a first date conversation. Or any date conversation. It's tacky. Just find some guy who confines his political beliefs to appropriate situations. I would love to take you out and not reference politics at all.
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Johnny-Boy
UNBELIEVABLE!
"Of all the things people warned would happen post-election, no one ever said anything about how complicated dating would become."
Please Meghan, tell us all how hard your life is. I am so sick of reading how this "poor little rich girl" sees life. She has been handed everything in life, from having a choice of mansions to gow up in, to the fat trust fund with her name on it.
Thus far we have all had to endure reading who she feels like blaming for her Fathers election loss, who turned their backs on her father, how the lack of internet savvy cost her Father the election, and now we must hear how "difficult" her dating life is because of politics.
Daily Beast, when you feature such vapid commentary as this, your credibility is lost as a source of news or current events.
Oh, and Meghan hon, please don't fret, I'm certain that as soon as you stop whining about how hard your life has become, some young, right thinking gentleman will be eager to date you.
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dearlizzie
Please, can we dispense with the inane pablum from Ms. McCain? Unless this is intended to mock the dimwitted daughter of the man who ranked seventh from the bottom of his class at Annapolis, this is a waste of space (even if it is eternally elastic cyber space). Regardless, I got my schadenfreude-style kicks out of her previous columns and now they are too, too dull.
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flyoverland
I was saving my McCain yard sign out in the garage. I think I will throw it out now. End political royalty in America, now.
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jkzelk
This is just gross and I'm sad I wasted 3 minutes to read it. I'll know better next time.
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cook1974
I'm considering leaving TDB out of my morning rounds if the glorification of this vacuous, boring chick continues. Not out of spite, but out of sheer boredom... I don't read People for this reason.
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SCMax101
Wow you guys are harsh. I thought it was well written and something I never would have thought of.
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swo1963
Wow, It must be very difficult to be forced to read someone's blog.
Take control of your mouse.
But, y'all are probably all over the 'Michelle Toned Arms' articles.
Boo Hoo she has wealth.
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pga301
It just keeps going downhill but the last time I wrote I said she shouldn't give anymore political advice so I can't complain about her writing about her love life. She isn't trying to advise the (R) party so that is a plus.
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MJB123
I know of what she speaks, and it happened to me years ago, if I were out with a woman that would start spouting her love of the Clintons for example, it would be "Check,please!", life is too short to listen to insane people.
I did it nice and as civil as could be, unlike the vile comments above. Liberals are some of the rudest people I meet,hands down.
txindygirl
Comments like that only reveal how shallow you are.
ANYONE can be rude. You should hear the vile garbage that came out of my husband's mouth because I didn't share his Palin wet dream. Sheesh!
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dantehicks
Anyone dumb enough to think one political affiliation or the other has a monopoly on being rude is probably beyond help, but here goes anyway: it's called confirmation bias - look into it.
Frivolous
I think Ms McCain's essay was well written, and I sympathize with her dating travails. I too would be squicked out by what she has experienced, especially that weirdo who kept referring to her mom.How embarrassing to date someone with such poor manners. No gentleman would say such a thing, even if he secretly thought it.
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