Almost all the MSM stories on Gary Peters/CMU scandal first make sure to identify student Lennox as an "outspoken conservative" (Dave Eggert, AP), and then cast the story as the poor little $350 million institution and long-suffering politician being bullied by a mean, strident ideologue.

Can you imagine how those stories would read if the professor involved were a Republican? First, they would never identify the pursuing student's ideology, even if he were the chapter president of MoveOn.org, and had made ideology a prominent part of the campaign. Second, the story would be cast as "heroic, freedom-loving, downtrodden student courageuosly challenges authoritarian, reactionary establishment." Which is exactly how a good journalist without his own ideological blinders would cast the current story. And in fact, is exactly the truth.

The interesting thing (and kudos to Lennox for it) is that ideology has never been invoked in the oust Peters campaign. Lennox has been very disciplined in making this about good government and fairness to students only - no "liberal Gary Peters" or anything like that in any of his written material or rhetoric. If it's not a part of the story, why does the MSM never pass up an opportunity to identify Lennox on the ideological dimension?