Journalist: In 2005, the current mayor of Plainfield was elected. Each year since then, about 300 violent crimes have occurred in Plainfield. In 2000, only about 100 violent crimes were committed. So the new mayor’s administration was less effective at controlling crime than the old administration was.

Mayor’s Representative: But one reason the mayor was elected in 2005 is that the population of Plainfield increased by 300% between 2000 and 2005, and many of the new residents of Plainfield voted the mayor into office.

The mayor’s representative challenges the journalist’s argument by doing which of the following?

A- Presenting data that extend further than the journalist’s data

B- Introducing evidence that undermines an assumption of the journalist’s argument

C- Questioning the accuracy of the evidence presented in support of the journalist’s conclusion

D- Pointing out that the argument illegitimately draws a general conclusion on the basis of a sample that is too small

E- Stating that the argument treats information about some member of a group as if it applied to all members of the group