[ExI] Why don't Americans elect scientists to office?

[The Avantguardian]

_______________________________
>From: John Grigg <possiblepaths2050 at gmail.com>
>To: ExI chat list <extropy-chat at lists.extropy.org> 
>Sent: Friday, February 17, 2012 1:14 AM
>Subject: [ExI] Why don't Americans elect scientists to office?
>
>
>An interesting article from the io9 website.  I am very curious to learn what list members have to say about it...
>
>
>http://io9.com/5885105/why-dont-americans-elect-scientists-to-office?utm_source=io9+Newsletter&utm_campaign=575709a17d-UA-142218-29&utm_medium=email

  
Many scientists are atheists. According to surveys like http://www.people-press.org/files/legacy-pdf/307.pdf , admitted atheism is the kiss of death for any political candidate in America. A quick calculation shows that it is as bad politically to "not believe in God" as it is to be both a former minister and to cheat on your spouse.
 
Candidate Assets

                            More    Less     No
                            likely    likely    Diff   DK
Candidate traits:     %       %        %      %
 
Military service       48      3          48      1
Christian                39      4          56      1
Long-time DC politician  35  15  45  5
Attended prestigious univ.  22  5  72  1
Former business exec.   28  13  56  3
In their 40s                    18     8      73      1
Black     7  4  88  1
Woman     13  11  75  1
Physically handicapped   4  7  86  3
Divorced    3  9  86  2
Hispanic    4  14  80  2
Has been a minister   15  25  56  4
Smokes cigarettes   2  18  79  1=100
Mormon     2  30  64  4
Taken anti-depressants   2  36  59  3
Had extramarital affair  1  39  56  4
In their 70s    5  48  45  2
No college education   3  46  49  2
Used drugs in past   2  45  47  6
Muslim     1  46  49  4
Homosexual    1  46  51  2
Never held elected office  7  56  35  2
Doesn’t believe in God   3  63  32  2
 
 
 
 
Stuart LaForge

"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro." - Hunter S. Thompson