What was that thing I said the other day about measuring the size of a crowd? Because we can argue all day about an estimate, but one thing you never want to do is measure a crowd before it’s arrived and then look bad if a small crowd shows up. It’s better to plan a bit small and be pleasantly surprised.
In obtaining permits for his “I have a (white) dream” rally in DC this Saturday, Glenn Beck told the Park Service to expect up to 300,000 people. Saying “I expect a miracle,” he has promised people a historic event. But if recent history is any indicator, turnout may be closer to his ticket sales for “Christmas Sweater.”
Some local figures:
Huntsville, AL April 15th 2009: about 2,000 people. (The organizers tried to say it was 4,000 but the media didn’t bite.)
Huntsville, AL April 4th 2010: 250-300 people. This was a Tea Party Express bus tour event.
Huntsville, AL April 15th 2010: about 2,500 people, though that number probably came from the organizers because there’s no attribution.
Florence, AL April 15th 2009: about 350 people.
Florence, AL April 15th 2010: about 150 people.
Breitbart’s “Uni-Tea” rally drew just 300, which is about right for a splintering movement. Plus, Beck’s sinking ratings are matched by sinking popularity. ThinkProgress has a digest of tea party organizers who regard him as a self-promoter.
Anyone in DC want to send pics or video of the crowd at this travesty? Because I smell a big, fat epic fiasco — and I want to see it. More importantly, I want to blog it because I, too, have a dream now.
