Some opinions can only be understood in the context of a broader worldview. Maybe the reason someone wants gun restriction laws isn’t so much about guns in particular, but because the person thinks like a Democrat in general. Same with someone wanting to restrict abortion thinking like Republican. When that happens, we’ll get a lot more done—and keep a lot more friendships alive—by discussing party politics at large and the underlying opinions that persuade people one way or the other.
So, we really need a face-to-face to get much done. Underlying questions can’t be discussed through the mail.