Reply #20: You could even frame it in such a way that he KNOWS you are a Democrat

[MADem]

but that you recognize that, as a Republican, he actually DOES have the interests of the troops at heart, unlike the majority of his GOP peers who want to enrich contractors at the expense of the troops...well, you see where I am going.

Frame the question along the lines that you see him as the EXCEPTION to the GOP rule--that he actually supports the troops, not Halliburton, and then ask the question!

It's a swipe and a compliment, all in together...