He's a conservative Republican, which would put him some distance to the right of a fair number of people even in the Tory party, never mind those on these forums, the majority of whose members (those who comment on political stuff anyway) seem to be inherently left-leaning. I've had my differences with him on domestic and economic policy, though we agree more often than not on foreign and defence policy (some may find that a strange combo, but I refuse to subscribe to a pre-set menu of "right on" political opinions and will always call each issue on its own merits as I see them). Most importantly, though, I regard him as a friend, and if someone attacks a friend of mine in front of me I regard that as my business too.