I’ve seen various attempts to discount the astounding 75K turnout for Obama in Portland last week, but none have the charming daffiness of this one, from rightwingy Newsbusters. It’s main thesis? Obama didn’t draw that huge crowd, indie darling gothic twee rockers The Decemberists did. Of course! Why, that band has filled concert venues with as many as 3000 seats on a regular basis and has sold literally thousands of albums! And that’s why, of course, Obama is vetting Colin Meloy for veep. This Obama kid? Ha. What’s a quarter of billion dollars in donations next to 3 and a half stars in Pitchfork?
The reason this super-group slipped underneath the radar? Well, if this is Newsbusters, it must media bias. Indeed, “[b]y ignoring the free concert, the Times and other outlets made it appear that 75,000 people were drawn only by Sen. Obama’s considerable charisma.” Instead of, you know, by sly allusions to Irish poetry and
South American giants.
The headline Newsbusters deems appropriate is full of Oniony dead pan goodness: “Free Concert by Popular Band Preceded Obama’s Big Rally.” Also, Area Man Totally Planning on Voting This Time.
UPDATE: Decemberist Conspiracy Remix, the Communist Edition!!!