There is at least one other source of friction in the lives of political marriages: politics itself. Couples with differing but passionate political views face the risk that every dinner table gathering can turn into a "Crossfire" episode with no time limit. Mr. Schwarzenegger has tried to turn his political differences with Ms. Shriver into an asset: he said recently that he thought he was well suited to bipartisanship because "I have lived with a Democrat for 17 years."

If the political differences become too acute, Ms. Shriver can always follow the example of Thomas Wilde of Portland, Ore. In 1996, Mr. Wilde was the campaign director of a bid by his wife, Melinda Wilde, for a State Senate seat, when, frustrated by their constant bickering over political issues, he resigned and announced his own candidacy for the seat.

Mr. Wilde won. The marriage survives.

Amazing.