One way people tease their friends is to say things which will offend against their deepest principles, without really meaning them; and one way people stay friends with people with whom they disagree on deep isues is to make-believe that that is what is going on, and they don't really mean it.

When words turn to actions involving other people, that's when the line of friendship is crossed. I suppose that's why arguments about votes etc can get so heated, because in a way that's an action rather than just words.