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Political opponents elect to be friends
From rivals to roommatesDate published: 11/2/2009 BY EDIE GROSS At the Kenmore Avenue home of Andrew Luton and James Martin, everything's a bipartisan effort. Paying the rent. Stocking the fridge. Cleaning the kitchen. Luton and Martin, both 21-year-old seniors at the University of Mary Washington, share a lot of things in common, but political persuasion isn't one of them. Luton, chairman of the UMW College Republicans, volunteers daily at phone banks for Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell. Martin, a longtime member of the Young Democrats, stumps for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Creigh Deeds. For the last three years, the license plate on his Ford Escape has read "DEEDS09." Each one will spend tomorrow supporting his candidate at polling stations throughout the Fredericksburg area before returning home to congratulate or comfort his roommate. POLITICS UNITES Ironically, the two became friendly in 2008, during one of the most politically polarizing years in recent history. They'd been aware of each other for years. Luton first came across Martin's name during his freshman year while reading the editorial pages of The Bullet, UMW's student newspaper. "I remember saying, 'Who is this idiot?'" recalled Luton, who disagreed with Martin's columns criticizing Republican U.S. Sen. George Allen and his re-election campaign. They shared two classes together during their sophomore year--Great Lives and geography--but didn't interact much. But during their junior year, the politically active students ran into each other on a regular basis. They decided that despite their political differences, they enjoyed each other's company. They've been room-mates since May. "We have more in common just by being politically active as opposed to some who are apathetic and don't care," said Luton, a history major from Lexington. "We don't have political discussions, but we talk about politics, the inside jokes of politics," added Martin, an Arlington native majoring in economics and political science. "I think Andrew and I respect the same people and joke about the same people." Or as Luton put it: "We both accept that both of our parties have great people--and some not so great." 'AGREE TO DISAGREE' Both men trace their political fascination back to the 2000 presidential election when they were still middle-school students. Luton and his family, then living in California, were solidly in the George W. Bush camp. Meanwhile, Martin and his parents--not yet Democrats--campaigned for John McCain in the Republican primaries.
Read more stories about Fredericksburg Date published: 11/2/2009
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