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I am dubious of that explanation, because President Biden, the most prominent Democrat, self-identifies as Catholic. His office is un-affected by gerrymanderin

I am dubious of that explanation, because President Biden, the most prominent Democrat, self-identifies as Catholic. His office is un-affected by gerrymandering in the way that Congress would be. Pelosi, now retired but an incredibly prominent Democrat, also self-idenfitied as Catholic. This was in one of the most openly hostile states towards Christians in the union. If there is one state where you would probably see an atheist bump, this would have been it. This doesn't seem like something that gerrymandering or "those backwards bible-thumping GOP hicks" can explain away.

DoctorOW 3y ago
Yes and no. These are politicians who constantly use rhetoric about "reaching across the aisle" and courting votes from moderate Republicans. It tracks with all available information that the strategy is "more people will vote against you for being atheist, than being a Christian". Whether this is part of courting the GOP vote or not is unclear.
snowwrestler 3y ago
> His office is un-affected by gerrymandering in the way that Congress would be. U.S. Presidents are elected by the electoral college, which is distorted from directly proportional representation of the overall national population. For example, California has 55 electors for the president, over 18 times as many as Wyoming. But California has 67 times as many people living within its borders. Less-populous states are over-represented in the selection of the president. It’s not really “gerrymandering” because state borders are mostly historical accidents rather than intentional electoral distortion. But intentional or not, there is distortion.
- safety1st 3y ago
  The issue isn't gerrymandering and votes (at least in this context), it's money and age. Politicians trump up their bible-thumping credentials because campaign donors are disproportionately old and old people are disproportionately religious, even in CA. I mean old people also vote more often but it's really the money that does the talking.

DoctorOW 3y ago

Yes and no. These are politicians who constantly use rhetoric about "reaching across the aisle" and courting votes from moderate Republicans. It tracks with all available information that the strategy is "more people will vote against you for being atheist, than being a Christian". Whether this is part of courting the GOP vote or not is unclear.

snowwrestler 3y ago

> His office is un-affected by gerrymandering in the way that Congress would be. U.S. Presidents are elected by the electoral college, which is distorted from directly proportional representation of the overall national population. For example, California has 55 electors for the president, over 18 times as many as Wyoming. But California has 67 times as many people living within its borders. Less-populous states are over-represented in the selection of the president. It’s not really “gerrymandering” because state borders are mostly historical accidents rather than intentional electoral distortion. But intentional or not, there is distortion.

safety1st 3y ago
The issue isn't gerrymandering and votes (at least in this context), it's money and age. Politicians trump up their bible-thumping credentials because campaign donors are disproportionately old and old people are disproportionately religious, even in CA. I mean old people also vote more often but it's really the money that does the talking.