A Matter Of Size

(click for stadium view)

Getty photographer Mario Tama forwarded me this image back in February while on the road with McCain.  The image is from Villa Park, Illinois, and details how a rally in an indoor arena was sectioned off to avoid any perception of empty seats.

Although Mario points out this kind of tailoring is standard operating procedure for all campaigns, the image came to mind two weeks ago when the White House and the McCain campaign called off a fundraiser at the Phoenix Convention Center at the last minute.  According to the Phoenix Business Journal: "...there were concerns about more anti-war protesters showing up outside the venue than attending the fundraiser inside."

What prompted the post was another "size" story at TPM, this one regarding McCain's crowd for his Tuesday night speech countering Obama's nomination-clinching extravaganza at Minnesota's eXcel Center.  According to the newswire, by way of TPM: "The McCain people (were) telling the AP they had McCain speak before a tiny audience 'by design'."

Poor ticket sales, expected protests scuttle Bush-McCain fundraiser at Phoenix Convention Center (Phoenix Business Journal, via TPM)
Design? (TPM)

(image: ©Mario Tama.  February 2008.  Illinois.  Used by permission)