Two pieces, both in the New York Times, profiling and critically engaging the same man: Russell Vought. One, by Damon Linker, exhibits imaginative sympathy, intellectual charity, and clarity of argument. The other, by Thomas Edsall, offers only grandstanding, cut corners, and “quotes from experts.” The result of the first is understanding, perspective, and a point of departure for further investigation, including critique; of the second, nothing more than ideological inflammation.