Democrats Inflate Expectations for 9/12 Rally Turnout

[babylonsister]

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/09/democrats-inflate-expectations-for-912-rally-turnout.php

Democrats Inflate Expectations for 9/12 Rally Turnout
Brian Beutler | September 11, 2009, 3:50PM


D.C. liberals may be preparing for a significant teabagging onslaught at tomorrow's 9/12 rally, organized by Glenn Beck and FreedomWorks and other mainstays of the tea party retinue. But they're also probably engaging in a bit of sleight-of-hand.

"As you may know, FreedomWorks held a Capitol Hill demonstration yesterday, that turned into an impromptu rally for embattled Rep. Joe Wilson," reads an email from a House leadership aide to other members of Congress. "Now, based off of news reports and comments from leaders in the Tea Party movement, it looks like Saturday's event is going to be a huge gathering, estimates ranging from hundreds of thousands to 2 million people."

For reference, 2 million is just a hair under four times the total population of Washington, D.C., and approximately the number of people who showed up to the history-making inauguration of President Barack Obama. Sound like a bit of an exaggeration? It probably is.

A source at a major liberal organization in Washington says, "one of the things we decided to do was try to raise expectations for turnout," adding that he'd not received this particular House memo.

This is not to say that tomorrow's turnout will be small... but 2 million?!

Late update: FreedomWorks says it expect 20,000 to 30,000 teabaggers tomorrow. Assuming they're underselling, the true number's probably just a little higher than that. But then, the weather's supposed to suck tomorrow, so who knows! Maybe we're in for some...weak tea?

[laconicsax]

1. The more they can inflate up the expectations, the more ridiculous they'll look

when only a few thousand show up.

[elleng]

2. We do this all the time, give too much attention to the 'others'

with no understanding that's what they want. What have we written about here lately? stupid wilson, and 'is preZ O a good guy?' WE ARE IDIOTS.

[madrchsod]

3. 10`s of thousands of free-republic members will be there!