NCR got it's start as a serious publication when they printed the Majority Report from Pope Pauls' birth control commission.  That happened before Paul VI issued HV,  which did not agree with the majority report.  That turned out to be a really really big deal...and then came their coverage of the clerical abuse scandal starting in the 80's.   Did it cement the future of NCR as not exactly in the conservative column?  Yes, why wouldn't it?  American laity subsequently ignored HV, and took the exit doors over the abuse scandal.  I would say, based on what the majority of American lay Catholics actually believe, NCR is most certainly representing a large segment of the People of God in the US.  It's Catholic in my mind, but I'm absolutely aware of the fact that my definition of Catholic is not going to be accepted by a minority of posters in the NCR com boxes.  That's fine because I can still accept them as Catholic.  I just don't agree with them...or their favorite publications.