Watch: Dan Crenshaw’s Great Advice on How to Talk with Liberal Family This Thanksgiving

In the Trump years leftist journalists were constantly complaining that they had to get along with Trump-supporting family members at Thanksgiving. But conservatives shouldn’t have the same bitter attitude towards Biden supporters in their family. Appearing Wednesday morning on the Fox News Channel, Republican Congressman Dan Crenshaw (TX) shared his advice on how you can engage civilly with your liberal uncle this holiday without ruining anyone’s day.

Crenshaw was Fox & Friends during the 8:00 a.m. Eastern hour discussing some heavier topics like Sunday’s Waukesha parade massacre, the Kyle Rittenhouse case, and how the economy is impacting everyone’s Thanksgiving this year. Despite rising crime, inflation, and a President who’s tried to stoke racial divides, Crenshaw explained we can still enjoy the day and have fruitful conversations with family members who disagree politically.

Co-host Ainsley Earhardt asked, “So what is your advice, Thanksgiving is tomorrow, we’re all cooking today and tomorrow. When you go to the Thanksgiving table and you’re sitting next to your Democratic uncle or whatever, what’s your advice?”

Crenshaw laid out his “rules” for people who like to engage and for people who don’t, but still maintain a friendly and kind approach, either way. This day can be a chance to get to know each other better if done correctly

First, do not engage in a political discussion with your family. Okay? So that’s the first rule. Rule number 2: If you don’t want to follow rule number 1, rule number two says ask good-intentioned, thoughtful questions. Understanding their point of view will help you accomplish two things. First, you will be better able to understand the argument they are making and what you can do to counter it. Second, you may lead them to your conclusions if enough questions are asked. Three. You should anticipate their strongest arguments. Don’t straw-man their arguments, don’t use the slogans that we say and attach them to their argument. You should use the best arguments they have and prepare your mind with facts as well as counter arguments. Talk to each other, but don’t be afraid to disagree with them.

Next, frame the argument in a way that helps them understand the core of your belief, so if you’re arguing about taxation, you can take a step back and say ‘look, conservatives believe we should tax people the least amount of possible so that government has just enough money to do what it’s supposed to do and the left believes you should tax the people the most amount possible, so that government can do all the nice things that collectively we would like to do.’ I don’t even think they disagree with a statement like that but it also helps them understand where you’re coming from.

But Crenshaw noted, things don’t always pan out even with the best intentions. And if they don’t, there’s always this:

“And last, the best way to end a bad debate is to laugh, make a self-deprecating joke and offer everybody shots of tequila,” he offered.

Meanwhile, CBS Mornings had some different advice. They suggested Americans force their family members to get COVID rapid tests before they could enter their home, saying it would be a way to make things safe, “fun,” and “playful.”

You can read the transcript here:

FNC’s Fox and Friends
11/24/21
Eastern Time: 8:13 AM

AINSLEY EEARHARDT: Thanksgiving is tomorrow and we all cook today and tomorrow. What advice would you give your Democratic Uncle or other relative who is sitting at the Thanksgiving table? 

REP. DAN CONNESWAL [R-TX]: [Laughter]Thanks for asking. This is an appropriate question. First, please don’t engage in a political discussion with your family. Okay? So that’s the first rule. Rule number two: If you are unable to adhere to rule one, rule number second is asking well-intentioned and thoughtful questions. Understanding their point of view will help you accomplish two things. First, you will be better able to understand the argument they are making and what you can do to counter it. Second, you may lead them to your conclusions if enough questions are asked. Three. You should anticipate their strongest arguments. Don’t straw-man their arguments, don’t use the slogans that we say and attach them to their argument. Use their strongest arguments and then learn the facts. Talk to each other, but don’t forget to acknowledge a point that is worth mentioning. Next, frame the argument in a way that helps them understand the core of your belief, so if you’re arguing about taxation, you can take a step back and say ‘look, conservatives believe we should tax people the least amount of possible so that government has just enough money to do what it’s supposed to do and the left believes you should tax the people the most amount possible, so that government can do all the nice things that collectively we would like to do’ I don’t even think they disagree with a statement like that but it also helps them understand where you’re coming from and last, the best way to end a bad debate is to laugh, make a self-deprecating joke and offer everybody shots of tequila.