Don't get me wrong. I like David Carey. I've met the new Condé Nast group president just a handful of times, and he seems softspoken, smart, funny. Sweet, even. And I count him as one of my Facebook friends.

Still, if I were doing a profile on the heir apparent to Condé Nast CEO Chuck Townsend—as the New York Observer did this week—I'd surely dig a little deeper than, say, Condé cronies like David Remnick—or Carey's weakness for office cantaloupe and fruit smoothies—to paint a picture of the guy.

Here are some of the quotes about Carey the Observer managed to squeeze into its 1,363-word profile:

• “I always heard he was a good guy." (Former Condé executive Ron Galotti)
• "David Carey certainly embodies, in the best sense, the Condé Nast of now." (Remnick)
• "Carey is the sort of publisher you 'hate competing against because he’s so good.'" (Graydon Carter)
• "Carey is very nimble intellectually. He will not allow himself to fail.” (Remnick)
• "David inspires people to do the very best. You want to be smart for David.” (William Li, who succeeded Carey as Portfolio publisher)
• “Also, I like the fact that like me, he has four kids.” (Carter)

And that doesn't include this passage:

The quiet, contented face of a millennial Man in the Gray Flannel Suit with a slight spare tire around his middle, leaving the Beemer at the Metro-North station to chug into work. There’s also a Toyota Sienna, “the best one on the market,” in the garage back home—Mr. Carey’s choice for corporate car. “Alas,” he e-mailed OTR, “minivans are something I know about.” And then: a frowny-face emoticon.

Looking for the darker (OK, maybe olive-colored) side of David Carey? I was too. Maybe he really is that nice.

For more Carey love (we're not above it!) check out our video interview with him at the FOLIO: show last year.