«Former US attorney general John Ashcroft is now rallying against the proposed merger between Sirius and XM, though onlookers are questioning his motivations.  Ashcroft was recently hired by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) to battle against the tie-up, part of a larger effort by the terrestrial radio group to dissuade merger approval.  In a letter to current attorney general Alberto Gonzales, Ashcroft pointed to a dangerous merger that "reduces the number of competitors from two to one," and warned that the plan "raises most serious competition concerns."  In the attack, Ashcroft also likened the proposed marriage to the unsuccessful merger attempt between satellite television providers DirecTV and EchoStar, a rejection that will continue to hover over the ongoing review process» (Digital Music News, 4/03/07, Ashcroft Jumps Into Radio Battle, Joins Terrestrial Camp)