My husband and I are pretty big political nerds (conservative), and we are very interested in understanding people with different viewpoints than us, especially those we know are marvelous, temple-recommend-bearing, trying-to-build-up-Zion types. Just before the 2004 presidential election, we invited some friends over for a “political FHE” and had them tell us about why they usually choose to vote for Democrats. It was an interesting and relaxed evening, and we came away with a better understanding of their political views.
However, I certainly would only do this with people I know and feel VERY comfortable with. Yikes to offending someone in your ward over politics.

Amen Mark but what about ward members who have known you for years before you became bishop/SP? Certainly at that point your politics should be discreet (if they weren’t already) but it doesn’t erase what people already know about you. And BTW, I’ve always known that the tight haircut and stiff demeanor were smokescreens to conceal your radically liberal agenda. :)

I think bishops, stake presidents and others in such leadership positions should be like the old army–completely apolitical. Well, let them vote, but it had better be a secret ballot. And nobody, absolutely nobody except their wives, should know what their politics are.

I try to send enough mixed signals that nobody can figure out where I stand.

I don’t know how this will play out. Hopefully there won’t be too much trouble. But the potential for trouble is there and it could have been avoided by following my guidelines.

Susan,
I was kind of surprised that people have debate parties. I would never think of doing such a thing. I get people together to watch sports and have fun, not scoff at the stupid things the cynical idiot politicians say to trick people into voting for them. But hey, whatever floats your boat.

Maybe it would just be me scoffing at the stupid debate, which is why I will definitely not be at the party. Nobody wants a party pooping cynic around.

For the record, I scoff at cynical idiot politicians from both parties, though I probably scoff at Democrats a little more than at Republicans. You can take a man out of Utah, but it’s hard to take Utah out of the man.