One Nation, Under Smug
One of the effects of Glenn Beck's Restoring Honor rally was to pull attendance away from the 9/12 march in town. Restoring Honor had a "no sign" rule and was heavy on religious themes, shared values and American patriotism. The 9/12 marches are all about politics -- people advocating for a decrease in the size and scope of government. Last year's 9/12 march was massive. The Restoring Honor rally was also impressive. But not many folks could pull off two trips to DC within two weeks.
I wonder if the Jon Stewart/Steven Colbert rally scheduled for the DC the weekend prior to the election will have a similar effect. There's no doubt that Stewart-Colbert will be able to attract every hipster, liberal and college kid within a few hundred miles. Even the moms in my neighborhood are organizing their trip (which will involve a few block walk, but still). The attendees to the Restoring Sanity march (as they're calling it) will have to navigate the post-post-ironic civil religion of sarcasm, anti-heroes and smug self-referencing. It should be a hoot and I'm sure I'll be there and will report back.
But how do you think the organizers of the One Nation Working Together march feel? They had already planned a huge rally for liberal causes on October 2. The One Nation rally is sort of the anti-Tea Party. They want to increase the size and scope of government. But might not the Stewart/Colbert rally dip into their numbers? Or will the professional left attend the October 2 rally while the amateur left goes for the latter?
I don't know, but I do bet that Democratic strategists are wishing the smugfest 2010 wouldn't take place just three days before parents, grandparents and working class folks -- already annoyed by the cultural and political elites -- head to the polls. Not to mention, isn't that an important Get Out the Vote weekend?
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Jul '10
Re: One Nation, Under Smug
All we are saying, is give snark a chance!
Re: One Nation, Under Smug
Oh man, that would have made a much better subject line to my post!
Jun '10
Re: One Nation, Under Smug
A conservative is just a liberal that's been smugged.
Jun '10
Re: One Nation, Under Smug
I took a look at the facebook page for this event. I see a lot of "I can't come, but I'll be there in spirit..." That doesn't sound very promising.
Aug '10
Re: One Nation, Under Smug
This is LOL funny! Give Snark a Chance, Restoring Sanity, and Colbert's 'March to Keep Fear Alive'..... it's bound to be fun.
The passion for action has shifted, and it's likely that people will 'stay away in droves'. But the comedy media will make the most of even the thinnest jokes.
Jun '10
Re: One Nation, Under Smug
Let's see if the Snark Rally can keep the place as neat and tidy as a Tea Party rally. That would be worth noting.
Jul '10
Re: One Nation, Under Smug
Snideness has never had any power to motivate . As soon as these comedians turn serious, they'll lose this crowd.
Jul '10
Re: One Nation, Under Smug
They're comedians?
May '10
Re: One Nation, Under Smug
I don't know how you have an event like that a few days before the election and avoid it becoming overtly political. And once it becomes overtly political you lose the funny. Sounds like a strategic mistake to me.
Jun '10
Re: One Nation, Under Smug
Ya think?
John Stewart: "Let's put another sharp stick in the eye of the electorate before election day."
Steven Colbert: "Great idea. Maybe we can prod a few more right-wing, knuckle-dragging morons to the polls."
Jul '10
Re: One Nation, Under Smug
Snideness and sarcasm have never had any power to motivate . As soon as these comedians turn serious, they'll lose the crowd.
May '10
Re: One Nation, Under Smug
Got to give Jon Stewart props for this one though -- genius:
http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-september-20-2010/working-stiffed
Re: One Nation, Under Smug
Trace Urdan: Got to give Jon Stewart props for this one though -- genius:
http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-september-20-2010/working-stiffed · Sep 21 at 11:37am
Was that not brilliant? We might have to highlight it in its own post.
Aug '10
Re: One Nation, Under Smug
You mean they're actually going to have a rally on the mall? I thought they were just being ironic.
Jun '10
Re: One Nation, Under Smug
Road Trip!
but seriously, attending would be like a joke that has gone on for way too long, and requires large amounts of intoxicating beverages with friends to make it worthwhile.
I want to go...
Jun '10
Re: One Nation, Under Smug