Among Republicans, 82% say they have a close friend who is a member of the other party, compared with 64% of Democrats, according to the NBC News poll.
Despite a polarized, partisan political environment, most voters who consider themselves a member of a party say they have a close friend on the other side of the aisle, according to the latest national NBC News poll.
Self-identified moderate Republicans (87%) were 8 points more likely to say they have a close Democratic friend than conservative Republicans (79%). By the same token, moderate Democrats (78%) were 21 points more likely to say they have a close friend who is a Republican than liberal Democrats (57%).
Among voters categorized as “core” GOP supporters, 77% have a close Democratic friend, while 90% of “soft” Republican voters do. There was a similar gap between “core” Democratic voters, at 57%, and “soft” Democrats, at 73%, when it comes to having a close Republican friend.



He also defended a repentant tax collector.
Yes, because he repented! He didn’t defend those who thought they did nothing wrong. Jesus and the Bible is pretty clear that Jesus won’t defend you unless you’re actually sorry. He is the friend that calls you out on your shit, to your face in front of your peers to the point that you either run away or admit your mistake. What would you call that if not shunning?