Studying Conservatives

Don't look for them in Washington, but if the University of Colorado has its way it might just hire one:

How liberal is the University of Colorado at Boulder? Well, according to one professor's analysis, the 800-strong faculty includes just 32 Republicans.

That has led Chancellor Bud Peterson to announce plans to raise $9 million to create an endowed chair for what is thought to be the nation's first professor of conservative thought and policy.

But the idea has been greeted with protests from students and faculty. Even some conservatives who have pushed for academic balance are voicing concerns.

Conservative author and activist David Horowitz says that setting up a token right-winger will brand the person as a curiosity like "an animal in the zoo."

And, conservative columnist George Will, whose name has been floated as an option to fill the post, says, "Like Margaret Mead among the Samoans, they're planning on studying conservatives. That's hilarious."

I'm guessing they'll put tracking radios on them so they can see where they go during the day.