Democratic memo: 9/12 Project might draw two million people to D.C. tomorrow

Maybe. Or, like MKH says, maybe it’s a lame, cynical attempt to raise expectations so high that even if they draw a million the left can cry, “It was a bust!” Silly Nancy, tricks are for kids.

A top House Dem leadership aide has emailed a memo to Dem aides on the Hill and outside liberal groups warning they should brace for a turnout of up to two million people, suggesting Dems worry that if enough conservatives descend on the Mall it will amount to a major PR victory for the right.

The aide, Doug Thornell, warned in the memo that the dust-up over Joe “you lie” Wilson has been invigorating conservatives. “It looks like Saturday’s event is going to be a huge gathering, estimates ranging from hundreds of thousands to 2 million people,” Thornell wrote in the memo, which was forwarded by a source.

While we’re on the subject, anyone want to try explaining to me why this is a “core principle” of what amounts in practice to a giant tea party?

I believe in God and He is the center of my life.

Beck fans reminded me the other night on Twitter that the man himself says you needn’t subscribe to all nine principles to be part of the Project; apparently any seven (why seven?) will do. Which is super, but beside the point. Why would an atheist join a political movement that makes belief in God part of its plank? Why does Glenn Beck care whether I go to church — and he does care to some extent if he’s putting this on the list of core convictions — if if I’m willing to vote with him on cutting taxes? No one was bugging me about my faith or lack thereof on 9/12/01, which the Project claims in its mission statement it’s trying to “bring us all back to.” And quite frankly, any form of aspirational language in a political context about what “the center of my life” should be is … odd. Is this about smaller government or self-help?

I’m going to make you vote on this; I want to know how many think it’s so important that it should be some guiding light for grassroots conservatism, which is what the Project amounts to in practice. Exit quotation from peeved liberal James Poniewozik: “You want to bring back the feeling of national unity and civility, Glenn Beck? You could start by not using this tragedy as your personal political platform.”

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