Announcing his appointment to the number two post in the Department of Homeland Security, NPR (National Progressive Radio) characterized him as an “immigration hard-liner.” Other outlets like the Atlantic echoed this terminology.
Mr. Cuccinelli, a former Attorney General of Virginia, respects the rule of law and does not believe in politically selective enforcement. Only in progressive fantasy is this position anything other than middle of the road. But since to progressives everything devolves to politics and is reported according to their point of view, the label hard-liner is very apposite. The label far-right might do, apart from its being untrue, but would enable an opponent to counter with far-left. Hard-liner is better since it has no ready opposite. Soft-liner would suggest the lining of coats and hats. In this underhanded way NPR’s shaping of public opinion through terminology is more effective.
NPR of course has no journalistic need to characterize people politically, especially in a way revealing of its own political beliefs. FWIW, today’s Wall Street Journal did not seek to characterize Mr. Cuccinelli politically and simply reported his appointment straight up, like a good Scotch. Refreshing.
Troglo (L. H. Kevil) 
The Missouri Intelligencer 