( The Frisky ) -- Election tension is boiling over ; it seems like everyone from the office blowhard to the person in front of you at the post office is spouting off opinions that make your blood boil . But what happens when the one disagreeing with you shares your bedroom ? Here are ten tips to help you make it to November 4 without resorting to the taser gun : . 1 . Assess the situation : While one of you might not care that much , the other might be eating , drinking , and sneezing the party line . Acknowledge who feels most strongly , who 's just having fun , and whether or not thoughtful discourse is as likely as pigs ( with or without lipstick ! ) flying . 2 . Find common ground : Establish that you each are trying to do what you think is best to move this country forward . Maybe you can even agree on an issue or two , and join forces in talking about your mutual passion . ( Note : this becomes less effective if you see eye-to-eye only about oatmeal tariffs . ) 3 . Establish boundaries : Maybe it 's no political talk at the table or no ranting email forwards from Aunt Phyllis . You might even agree that you 'll freeze discussion if one of you cries for mercy ( a `` safe '' word is good for this : who knew that political arguments were so much like S & M ? ) Either way , ground rules are essential to keep things from getting ugly . 4 . R-E-S-P-E-C-T : Now 's the time to channel your inner Miss Manners . Offensive taunts , passive-aggressive digs and -- most certainly -- flying fondue pots are all out of the question . 5 . Do n't overpersonalize : Your beloved is still , for the most part , who he always was . And the vast majority of those qualities have nothing to do with who gets his hanging chad in the voting booth . 6 . Drive to distraction : Now is the time to take up cooking together , not to spend all night with Wolf Blitzer . Choose a classic movie over debate analysis and your 80s playlist over talk radio . And do n't even think of bringing your guy to that fundraiser ! 7 . Find your outlet : If it helps you to hang out in partisan chat rooms all day , have at it . Just make sure you know the difference between blowing off steam and getting yourself worked up , or you 're liable to be worse off than you started . 8 . Keep it out of the bedroom : Say good night without politics -- unless , of course , the conflict adds some spice ! But ixnay on the bouffant wig and red glasses ... . as well as the Joe Biden undies . 9 . Make an election night plan : Whether you 'll be at viewing parties in opposite cities or side-by-side with earpieces and laptops , agree in advance whether you 'll spend the evening , and morning , together . Avoid the potential pitfall of letting the night unfold spontaneously -- after all , one of you will be stewing while the other is squealing . 10 . Do a reality check : For every couple engaged in a playful red-versus-blue showdown , there 's another that must acknowledge red flags about opposing world views . Do n't minimize what might be a larger problem of philosophical incompatibility -- or it could be a very long four years to come . TM & © 2008 TMV , Inc. | All Rights Reserved .
If you 're in a mixed political party marriage , this could be a tense time . Find common ground or avoid political battles over dinner table . Do n't hurl taunts or forward political e-mail rants from Aunt Phyllis . Comment: