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He loves Bush and she's got a bleeding heart. Can they reach across the aisle so that they might one day walk down it?

Monday Sep 29, 2008.     By Anna Pulley

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Dear Carnal Consultant,

I recently met a guy who might be the start of something awesome. Problem is he's Republican, a Bush Republican no less, and I am closer to a bleeding-heart liberal. Is this doomed before it starts or should I give it a chance?

~Wishing my guy was an ass

Dear Wishing,

Women are often the more liberal ones in relationships, according to the Center for Policy Alternatives. They're also more likely to use toilet paper more liberally. The answer to your question is the same as my favorite dirty joke: What does 90-year-old pussy taste like?

Depends.

It depends on how important politics is to you. If having political discussions is integral to your romantic relationships, then you might want to rethink hooking up with Mr. Friend of Georgie over there. If, however, you'd rather watch "America's Next Top Model" than read one more article where Sarah Palin says "Maverick" and "I can see Russia from my house!" then shame on you. I know this season of ANTM is riveting (I'm rooting for the bisexual!) but this is a historic moment in our country and you should be at least marginally engaged in how the next four years will unfold.

It depends also on if you can agree on hot-button issues that really matter to you, like abortion rights, the war in Iraq or whether Tom Cruise should be allowed to reproduce. It also depends on what kind of Republican he claims to be. A fiscally conservative person can be very different from a socially conservative one. So if he's the kind of Republican that is down with the queers, but isn't a fan of tax increases, for instance, you'll probably be able to share a malted milkshake without blood being spilled.

Of course, some people find passionate arguing to be a turn-on that can stimulate an otherwise boring evening. So if your weekly Trivial Pursuit tournaments aren't leading to the kind of sexual intercourse you'd like, you may want to drop a few Obama bombs into the conversation to get things started. (Or you could just get the 2008 edition. What with the new game pieces and extra pop culture questions, you're guaranteed to never feel sexual malaise again.) I personally don't understand the whole arguing-as-turn-on school of thought. If I needed to yell at someone in order to become aroused, then I'd just turn the TV up louder.

Once you factor all of those "depends" into your decision, you'll have a better idea of whether the relationship is worth pursuing. It was my grandfather's dying wish that I never blow a Libertarian, so I can't say I've had a similar conundrum, but with a little discussion and some thoughtful consideration, the right decision will come to you—and hopefully on you. What?

Anna Pulley, our Carnal Consultant, has been on more bad dates than J. Lo's been to divorce court. She's been a one-date wonder and Wonder Woman. She's bi, and no she doesn't want to sleep with your boyfriend, thanks. When she's not giving advice, she enjoys theme parties for every and any occasion and working as a Carnal Consultant for Early to Bed. Buy her a drink or ask her a question already.