How Marriage is Like a Presidential Debate

While watching President Obama and Governor Romney duke it out in their recent debates, it struck me that there are a lot of similarities in the way husbands and wives often interact – minus a Candy Crowley or Bob Shieffer to moderate. After all, aren’t we always trying to be heard, get our argument across, point out injustices, fact check and fix the deficit? And much like in presidential debates, we also enjoy talking over each other, rebutting and trying to get the last word.

In my marriage, however, my husband always gets the last word. It’s “yes dear.”

Here are some other ways the recent debates can be akin to marital dialog:

We need to do a better job of balancing the budget.

That’s a lot of malarkey. I think if you did the math, you’ll find that I actually took the trash out 208 times over the last four years.

Why is your 401k bigger than mine?

Honey, can you bring me those binders full of healthcare bills?

Not tonight, sweetheart, unless you support planned parenthood.

Can we outsource the children to your parents this weekend?

And while I am at it, I’d like to offer the candidates these words of wisdom that my father offered my husband on our wedding day. It goes like this. “If you’re wrong, admit it. And if you’re right, shut up.”

Samantha McGarry is a working Mom, juggling life, family and career one crazy day at a time - with a smile on her face. You can read more of her blog posts over at Keeping the Glass Half Full.