Strange that a mock rally featuring two comedians could stir up such feelings of jealousy and turn journalists into concern trolls for Jon Stewart*. While details of the rally has yet to be released (an itinerary here, for those who believe it’s real), speculation is already rampant in the beltway that it will be a big failure and a huge knock on Stewart’s credibility. Funny that, he’s not supposed to have any.
The other angle that will be interesting to watch is the age of the attendees. Pundits have been predicting a mass of college-age hippies smoking dope on MLK’s ground (while said pundits object to the location as hollowed ground, the same pundits don’t mention Beck’s recent desecration of same ground).
A TPM reader has an interesting point:
Saw the posts about the occasional folks older than the 18-34 group, but I think the average age may be higher than you expect.
My wife and I flew in from Chicago and we’re mid-40s. We’ll go with my brother-in-law and his fiance, early 40s. I hope to meet up with one of my DC-based bosses and her husband 50+, an old boss coming down from NYC, early 40s, and yes, a couple of 20-something friends. Will try to update the demographic report when I get to the Mall.
Whatever, if the weather sucks I’ll watch it on comedycentral.ca. One thing I don’t expect is a lot of politics. I bet it’ll just be the usual gang of idiots goofing off with intelligence and wit.
*(Funny Colbert is barely mentioned by same journos – could it be he is slightly safer than Stewart – and teaches Sunday school that shields him from similar criticism?)
UPDATE: I find it incredibly lame that the rally isn’t broadcast like as it is on Comedy Central. I guess there’s legal issues but…
UPDATE II: Found this pic via MWJ.
Photo: danny6114
Redneck Ryan Doyle talked about it on Thursday. Apparently, many consider Jon Stewart to be the most credible news source. Well, you shoulda heard Redneck Ryan ranting about how “dangerous” that was, and yadda! Yadda! Yadda! Well, to that, I say, perhaps that kind of whining and redneck rhetoric, as well as the rest of mainstream media (both Canada & US), which is becoming increasingly less and less responsible is why folks may give more credence to the likes of Jon Stewart. I would say that this jealousy is only with the bad, hyper partisan journos and not the good, credible ones who actually remember what real journalism is.
Nobody skewers the stupidity, hypocrisy and venality of the USian media/political/financial establishment better than Stewart. Sad fact is, it doesn’t have enough of an impact.
Oh, it’s early yet. I have friends that are out in DC for the rally. Organized student trips and such. I hear that DC is packed with tourists! Let’s hope it has more folks than the Glenn Beck festivities ever did. I hear some Democrats are setting up tables and booths to get people out to vote on Tuesday.
Decent-looking crowd so far via CNN (sound off). Don’t expect a lot of politicking but how can Stewart not skewer politicians and Beck. Danger would be video of attendees making fun of baggers. Any little quote or image that makes Stewart’s audience (largely progressive) look bad will be broadcast over the entire rightosphere.
Impressed at the diversity. Much as I like the Roots, let’s get to the comedy!
I don’t think it’ll b that damaging. The purpose isn’t to deprogram tea-baggers; that would take large padded cells, a whole lotta time, and cult deprogrammers; electro shock therapy wouldn’t hurt. They ain’t budging. This rally isn’t for them. Glenn Beck & Sarah Palin and their ilk have organized enough shindigs for them and there will be more to come, likely.
The purpose, I think is to get those disillusioned sane people to come out; not just democrats, but moderates, even more moderate Republicans who don’t see themselves voting for such extremists like Tea-party candidates. So far, only Glenn Beck has been rallying this motley band of psych ward escapees; but those disillusioned people seemed to have had their voices drowned out by this insanity. Today, those rallies are for them.
Finally, some fireworks. The Cat Steven/Ozzy duel is actually funny and quite telling of the two onscreen personalities of Stewart and Colbert.