[cantfindagoodscreenname]

Many religious conservatives who were instrumental in pressing President Bush to appoint John Ashcroft as attorney general -- now say they have become deeply troubled by his actions

Did someone take a poll or did the NYT go out and do "man on the street" interviews until they could find the "many" they were looking for?

[Redhd2]

Did someone take a poll or did the NYT go out and do "man on the street" interviews until they could find the "many" they were looking for?

Good blunt question. I'm always skeptical of these dim, indefinite, indistinct, murky, nebulous, obscure "many" who are quoted by someone trying to manipulate public opinion.

[ninenot]

NO poll, NO interviews. The reporter asked around in the newsroom, found a few 'conservatives' (at the Times) who don't like Ashcroft.

Of COURSE 'conservatives' at the Times don't like him. To mainstream Americans, 'conservative Times people' are identical with 'moderate Communists.'