Politics Making Strange Bedfellows
loid_void writes "Leave it to Reuters to report that the run-up to the U.S. presidential election is casting the spotlight on a new crop of Web sites for political-minded singles who are seeking Mr. or Ms. Right... or Left. But as such sites make small gains in the polls, another debate is brewing among singles in this politically divided nation: Is it better to find a like-minded mate or to cross party lines in the search for true love? Reached last week on his cell phone at the Republican National Convention in New York, Brian Barcaro said he does not interparty date and has no plans to start... let the debate begin!"
The key is not opinions, it's values. One key, rather, because there's more to a successful relationship than just shared values. Core values can be interpreted differently, leading to different opinions; values and opinions can also be acted upon (or not) in different ways.
Shared values are important, though, both in my experience and in the analyses I've read. Other key factors: compatible fighting style, "givers" vs. "takers" (should be matched at the very least, but as a giver myself, I don't tend to think much of takers), activity level, degree of adherence to one's supposed principles, and sexual compatibility. And yes, I'm leaving "similar interests" out deliberately; probably nowhere near as important as those I've mentioned.
Cheers!
Corruptissima re publica plurimae leges.