If watching CNN’s “Crossfire” over candlelight sounds perfect for a first date or the Republican National Convention is your idea of a romantic getaway, you may want to check out a handful of fledgling political online dating sites.
Mixing online passion with politics first started in February with loveinwar.com as an offbeat–even wacky–spin on dating. And a few weeks ago, republicansingles.com and democ
ratsingles.com hit the Internet scene.
The sites bring dating and politics together like never before. This is the first presidential race when online dating is mainstream–with two of every five singles in the U.S. browsing Internet dating sites at least once in 2003, according to Jupiter Research.
Traditionally, the ballooning online dating industry largely steered away from politics. Instead, niche Web sites targeted virtually everything else that defines us: dog lovers, vegans, overweight singles, Christian singles–and the list goes on.
But if people can bond over their pets, why not over political discourse?
Tony Sandoval, founder of republican singles.com and democratsingles.com, is banking on the idea that many singles are attracted to others who share their ideologies. “Finding a mate who has the same ideals and values as you is a good first step,” he said.
Loveinwar doesn’t target party stalwarts but instead plays off a more irreverent vibe–a place for political junkies who enjoy a lively debate–regardless of where someone stands on the spectrum.
“This is a site for people who take their politics seriously but don’t take themselves too seriously,” said 24-year-old Bryan Carlin, founder of loveinwar.com.
This year, American singles are expected to spend $398 million on online dating memberships, up from just $47 million in 2000.
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Edited by Cara DiPasquale ([email protected]) and Kris Karnopp ([email protected])