influential

Originally posted Nov. 7, 2010

The Daily Show’s “Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear” event in Washington D.C. this Saturday is expected to attract over 70,000 people, illustrating how influential – intended or not – comedian and satirist Jon Stewart has become in the landscape of American politics.

The high projected numbers for Stewart’s rally, that will also include comedic co-host Stephen Colbert, could be seen as evidence of how frustrated many Americans feel about the current extreme divisive state of political discourse in the country. More likely though, it is a barometer of Stewart’s popularity.

His ability to connect with a large audience has turned his “rally for people who’ve been too busy to go to rallies” into a worldwide event. Despite the fact that people seem to be unclear about what exactly the rally would provide, they want to participate. On Facebook, more than 290,000 have signed up as potential attendees. Satellite events around the country in more than 25 states, in cities like Wasila, Denver, and Atlanta have been quickly organized in order to be involved. And even places around the world, including Paris, Denmark, and a “base camp” at Mt. Everest in Nepal will join the main gathering at the National Mall. (more…)