I should also add that a lot of folks have come to NPR’s defense. And I think they’re on more solid ground. I’m actually pretty heretical when it comes to NPR. It’s got flaws, but I think it’s actually very well done and close readers will note I listen to it a lot. What I was objecting to was a classic style of commentary where places like NPR eagerly invite conservatives to bash their own side, even when the label conservative is dubious. I still hear Kevin Phillips cited as a conservative or Republican from time to time. But I shouldn’t have given the impression that conservatives are never on for any other purpose.

Update: Oh one point I forgot to mention: The complete inanity of NPR defenders who say that NRO is biased too, that we don’t have balance, etc. I think the critique of this attack is transparent. NRO (and The Nation, The New Republic, The American Prospect) has a different mission than NPR, The NYT etc. ‘Nuff said.