Unfortunately, Americans have been polled (Univ of Minn, et al) as distrusting atheists far more than any other minority group -- including Muslims and gays!

Any presidential candidate that refuses to pander to this (and, perhaps, add a flag pin for good measure), will win in a landslide if Mr. Hitchens' and my votes are the only ones counted.

As a fellow atheist, I am surprised at his outrage over certain kinds of irrational statements, as opposed to the orthodox ones. And, as well, Chris objects the bold truth in labeling, as Mr. Obama did in his book. Better to be a total hypocrite like the others? For the rational, our other presidential choices are yet more dismal:

McCain -- totally sucked up to Hagee, Parsley, Falwell, Robertson and the other wackadoodles whose comments are equally and transcendentally insane. But, of course, they uttered by a "key constituency" that still pretty much outnumbers all the others -- white ignoramuses.

Hillary -- the only thing worse than contemplating her cynical membership in the Capitol Hill cult "The Fellowship Foundation" (aka "The Family") which features her brothers in Jesus -- Brownback, Santorum and some other Evolution deniers -- is that she did it sincerely.

So, Chris...what gives?