John McCain and Sarah Palin in Virginia: How big was that crowd?

One of the many, many imprecise aspects of daily journalism is estimating a crowd size -- especially when the gathering is large and sprawling. In such cases, reporters learn early not to hazard a guess of their own but to rely instead on officialdom.

But sometimes -- in another sign of the vagaries of pinning down a count at an event for which tickets haven't been allotted -- the figures from the local authorities vary.

Such was the case Wednesday as John McCain and Sarah Palin wrapped up the road tour that took them to several states since the Republican National Convention ended a week ago.

The GOP presidential ticket ventured into the heavily Democratic Virginia suburbs adjacent to Washington before Palin returned to a heroine's welcome in her home state of Alaska later in the day. As with every previous appearance the pair made, a boisterous and undeniably big audience greeted them at the Virgina rally.

But exactly how big? Most news reports, such as CNN's, went with the police estimate of at least 23,000 (a number eagerly embraced by the McCain camp).

The New York Times, though, used in its story the reckoning from fire marshals: 15,000.

Meanwhile, Marc Fisher of the Washington Post, a columnist for the paper's local section, wrote that he counted it at 8,000 (though he also noted the 23,000 police estimate).

Regardless, as Fisher relates, there wasn't much question who the star of the show was.

-- Don Frederick

Photo credit: Getty Images 

Comments

[Peter]

This Makes Me like Palin even More, She seems to be a good vp pick. A much different kind of Politicain then we have gotten use to, Palin doesnt have a record or a DUI like Bush.Dont take my word for It see The Bush dui online I dont believe all of these mean spirited attacks Shes been accused of Trooper Scandal , An alledged affair I persoanlly think she is a good person, This is a decent Human Being.

[coolrepublica]

I find it facinating that people are arguing the size of a McCain rally. When was the last time you heard people in the press argue the size of an Obama rally. Obama says the crowd was 200,000 than the press doesn't question it.

McCain says the size of his crowd is over 20 thousand and the press is asking the fire marshall, the police department for their number, if they are not happy they comb over satellite pictures and counting heads to prove the numbers were lower. And they wonder why McCain has stop caring to talk to them. McCain has a better shot at getting good press in Puttin's Russia.

This election is very revealing and eventually the biggest loser will be the media.

[politicjock]

While the media keeps avoiding the issues and talk about trivial matters, the American people are hurting and are tired of the status quo. We need change in this country. Change from Republicans and the corporate media which supports the status quo.

[Nick]

yes please can we just have change and get back to the issues I am so tired of the stupid media and pigs and pokes and lies and distortions etc etc its so boring its embarrasing. I am trying to do an embargo on watching tv.

I have read the issues of both candidates I have seen both in action at this point I have made my decision. For me it is Obama for a lot of reasons but the debates are the next thing I want to watch, polls crowds gossip is all so irrelevant, but I guess the reason they put it on is because we keep tuning in and reading the gossip.

Sigh...

[Alfonso]

I remember when Obama was accused of being a celebrity when he had the huge crowds. Now suddenly its okay to have a big crowd. Now Palin is a celebrity and being a celebrity is not looked down by McCain. Changing the rules, by the new "change" party. First you have a bridge, which you supported and now you slipped away from the bridge. Then you liked the earmarks, and now you slipped away from them. Then you raise sales taxes to build a hockey ice rink for your son, then you oppose increase taxes. Read my lips, no new taxes, Sounds familiarly Republican.

I am not sure that this is the kind of dishonesty we are looking for. Christianity refers to people that are principled and caring for one another. We need tender loving care from our sisters and mothers. I am not in any politcal party because I know that you will need to sell your soul.
My soul will never be sold to anyone.

As a Christian woman or man, this great nation sometime tears at your moral fiber. But honesty and character is important and we need to ensure that our leaders have some moral character left after all their charades.

[CraigS, Sunnyvale, CA]

If you track stories from each of the mainstream media outlets you will find that the LAT is more partisan than any other.

Give me a break, this is grasping at straws. They will spin anything to help their candidate.

[Tony]

I agree with most of the people here. The media is out of control and has taken to reporting on things that have absolutely ZERO relevance.

I think its a general consensus here that no one really cares how many people were in the crowd. You are doing everyone a disservice here by reporting these trivial things. I'm an Obama supporter with a very open mind. I like some of the things Obama wants to bring to the table but there are things he wants to bring to the table that I don't feel comfortable with. While McCain has changed his thoughts on several of the things that would have made me vote for him right away a few years ago, I'm still very interested in hearing what he has to say.

By spending time reporting on the size of the crowd you have denied your readers the opportunity to read about what really matters; what the candidate actually discussed. Please stop wasting our time. There is to much at stake with this election to waste the peoples time with air headed articles like this.

I'm proud to see a lot of the comments posted here condemning the article. It really is about time we started demanding more from the media no matter what your political affiliation is. Otherwise, they will keep on with the inconsistent polling, as well as latching on to anything any candidate says in order to stir unwarranted controversy.

Its a good thing we aren't sold cars like the media tries to sell candidates. They would be telling us that the Hummer gives 60mpg and will fit in to any compact spot you can find.