As we work to complete our video news package on the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear we come to find ourselves in the center of political takeover. The midterm elections were the prime conversation here in Washington. More notably, did Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert’s rally have an effect, if any, on the midterm elections? Many rally goers suggested that this rally, held so close to Election Day, could not possibly have a dramatic effect on the outcome. Not all rally attendees were representing “Team Sanity,” however. Many dressed in costumes paraded about the rally in the spirit of entertainment, political satire, or just Hallows Eve. Kelly Anne, Kate, and I interviewed and captured the event as tourists. We never received a press pass, but no one knew otherwise. It was quite the spectacle to see thousands pour out onto the National Mall, dressed in odd costumes, flaunting sane and/or fearful signs, and discussing the importance of working with each other.
Courtenay Craig, a lawyer from West Virginia told us in response to what the rally stood for, “Civility, I’d like to think that we can disagree but we can still be a great country and move toward progress…I can disagree with you but I don’t have to hate you and I don’t have to be the antithesis of your existence.” Even within the surroundings of humor, seriousness exists.
— Paul Jamali
