New York Times and Tom Delay

The New York Times has engaged in at least two of the bias categories with regard to Tom Delay. The NYT is guilty of "coordination" (#6) and "demonization/piling on" (#22).

Robert Novak reveals that the Times has solicited opinion pieces from at least one prominent Republican regarding Delay but refused to publish it when the Republican refused to call for Delay's resignation:

On March 24, former Congressman Bob Livingston was sent an e-mail by a New York Times editorial page staffer suggesting he write an op-ed essay. Would Livingston, who in 1998 gave up certain elevation to be House speaker because of a sexual affair, write about how Majority Leader Tom DeLay should now act under fire? In a subsequent conversation, it was made clear the Times wanted the prominent Republican to say DeLay should step aside for the good of the party.

Livingston in effect declined by responding that if he wrote anything for the Times, it would be pro-DeLay. But this remarkable case of that august newspaper fishing for an op-ed piece makes it appear part of a calculated campaign to bring down the single most powerful Republican in Congress. The Democratic establishment and left-wing activists have targeted DeLay as the way to end a decade of Republican control of the House.

The New York Times' efforts on behalf of these left-wing activists makes sense only if one thinks of the NYT in terms of its role in the MSM/DNC. No real journalist would have anything to do with such a campaign.