Romney-Ryan ticket makes U.S. religious history

In selecting Paul Ryan for his running mate, Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney has made modern political history: a major party ticket with no Protestant Christian.

Some historians call it the first ever. Others say it’s technically the first since Abraham Lincoln. And there is an argument to be made regarding Dwight Eisenhower.

But in any case, “this Republican ticket really symbolizes the passing of an era,” said William Galston, senior fellow with the Brookings Institution.

Romney is Mormon. Ryan is Catholic.

It’s a trend also reflected in the Supreme Court. Once dominated by Protestants, there are now none among the nine justices, Galston noted. “All the groups that make up the new American population, as opposed to the population of 50 years ago, are now participating on equal” terms, in politics and American society in general, he said.

“It’s quietly dramatic.”
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