By now you’ve heard that the Sutherland Institute board has asked Paul Mero to step down as president after 14 years with the conservative think-tank, citing disagreements over direction. Knowing there will be a lot of tap dancing from the left, understandably. Paul is an easy (and eager?) focal point for criticism from the left. But I wanted to tell the story of how I first came to know Paul Mero, and why I am proud to call him a friend. In 2007, KVNU’s For the People hosts/founders Tom Grover…