george willThe St. Louis Post-Dispatch today dropped syndicated Washington Post columnist George Will to protest his June 5 piece that dismissed as overblown complaints about rape and sexual assault on college campuses.

Will wrote that rape victims get a "coveted status" on campuses and that some claims of rate are "delusional."

Tony Messenger, editorial page editor of the P-D, penned a note to readers saying Michael Gerson, another Post columnist and St. Louis native, is replacing Will each Thursday and Sunday.

The former aide to George W. Bush, speechwriter for Bob Dole/Jack Kemp and senior editor at US News & World Report has a "compassionate conservatism" position that will "connect with our readers, regardless of their political bent," according to Messenger.

Messenger noted a change in columns had been under consideration for months, but Will’s Jun 5 piece made the decision easier.

"The column was offensive and inaccurate; we apologize for publishing it," he wrote.

The National Organization for Women and others are lobbying the Washington Post to drop Will. Post editor Fred Hiatt said the controversial column was "well within bounds of legitimate debate."