I have to laugh at the post event analysis of The Rally to Restore Sanity/Fear. Most of the commentary I read, which was mostly left-leaning, bemoaned the fact that it didn't have more to say or didn't advance the populist agenda or wasn't an answer to Glenn Beck's rally. Did these people actually expect that it would do any of those things? Did they expect a couple of comedians who nightly lambaste the right, left, and everyone else to push an agenda? Are they really that stupid?
Sure Stewart is a lefty and makes no bones about it. But he is a comedian, not a pundit or a political figure. Unlike Beck and his ilk, Stewart knows his place in the media landscape and makes sure his audience knows as well. He makes his living poking fun at people who take themselves too seriously and the venues that give the clowns a voice. He relentlessly drills home the fact that guys like Glenn Beck are buffoons dressed up as people with something serious to say. For Stewart to put on a rally that pushed an agenda would be out of character. It would needlessly tarnish his image as court jester.
That Stewart did offer a brief statement of value at the end was more than enough. He spoke truth to power and reminded the crowd that we need to shut out the loud voices from the media and the fringes. We, the people, must forge alliances despite differences and work together to make the world a better place.
That the media made a big deal out of what the rally wasn't, makes Stewart's refrain about the media for him. They are stupid and mostly just want ratings. Why think when sensationalism gets eyeballs?
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