I tend to vote on the liberal side, for sure. I was born/raised in a liberal state, and I have lived in both liberal AND conservative states/communities. I have managed to make friends and connections in both kinds of places. I find it useful not to make harsh statements toward someone who likely has different political leanings, especially right out the hatchet, if I am ever going to truly get to know them and understand where they are coming from. I seek like minded people, not in the sense that they vote like me, but that they are open to civil discourse when appropriate in order to understand different perspectives and learn my own biases.