Here are a few mainstream media rules of thumb: Minority Democrats in public office are inspirational role models. Minority Republicans in public office are embarrassing sellouts. Minority Democrat politicians are principled. Minority Republican politicians are misguided. Minority Democrat politicians represent the hopes and dreams of all Americans. Minority Republican politicians are traitors to their "communities." These rules are unwritten, of course, but the minority politician double standard is glaringly obvious in the national media fawning over newly elected U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. After Obama's Democratic National Convention address this summer, the New York Times exulted: "As Quickly as Overnight,...