“You don’t really want any of these people to win, do you?”

This is when the attempt at light political banter turns combative, as the liberal realizes the conservative, despite perhaps sharing mutual friends, similar taste in music or movies and occupying the same city, might have still somehow formulated truly differing opinions on politics.

It was understood, of course, that the conservative was different. After all, that’s why this conversation was taking place. But surely not so different as to not want to see Barack Obama re-elected.

“If any of these people win, I’m moving to Canada!” the liberal will say, exasperated that anyone could disagree with his premises. You scan the room, hoping to spot some escape from the conversation and finally reach the bar.