Why do politicians think voters lean more to the right than they do?

Does watching too much Fox News give American politicos a false steer on public opinion? Photograph: Will Harris/AP

I’ve heard a rumour that Observer readers might be on the leftier end of the market. So, on average, you’re going to really like what follows.

Here’s the key question: how rightwing is the electorate? Less than most politicians assume is a story often told in the US, where pre-pandemic research confirmed this to be the case. Maybe watching too much Fox News gives elected officials a skewed perception of the land of the free and home of the brave.