Politics At The Dinner Table

Family politics at Thanksgiving.  We’ll talk with red and blue sitting down together, and ask how that conversation goes.

Thanksgiving puts Norman Rockwell and peace and harmony and gravy on a lot of minds.  But we all know the big family gathering can be a minefield.  Especially when it comes to politics.

And especially right now.  It’s the first big holiday get-together since our big election.  Maybe your family table is all red or all blue or peaceful purple.  But a lot of families have battle lines as deep as Herman Cain’s voice.  Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, Greens.  It can get hot in a hurry.

This hour, On Point:  Gloating over the giblets.  Gritting teeth.  Making peace.  We’re talking family and politics at Thanksgiving.
-Tom Ashbrook

Buzz Bissinger, author and radio show host. Father of Caleb.

Caleb Bissinger, senior at Kenyon College.

Karla Robey, teaches at the Effort Christian School and blogs at lifetimemoms.

Melinda Robey, student at the University of Virginia and daughter of Karla.

USA Today "So many people are frustrated right now with so many things, she said, that it's a good idea to frame conversations around key issues rather than campaign fluff."

NPR "Conventional wisdom advises against talking about politics at family gatherings, but that's often unrealistic. With the turbulent race for president and the roiling Occupy protests — not to mention the usual politics of food, football and in-laws — some discussion guidelines can be helpful."

CNN "Her resolve was put to the test three years ago at Thanksgiving dinner, right after Barack Obama was elected president. She was picking at her turkey when, she says, her father-in-law suggested an act of violence toward Obama."