I didn't see anyone else from TPM at the H-CAN rally June 25th in Washington. I did see lots of union people, but turnout still wasn't over 7,000, tops.

Even so, I didn't mind being selected to attend Healthcare Now!'s rally in DC in July at the expense of many people here at TPM. Turnout was about 300.

But I'm damn sure not attending the "March on Washington" that Robert Reich has proposed. No more fizzle-fests for me, thanks.

So Reich drops an offhand suggestion and people jump, huh? Well, no, not that many people. Go to Daily Kos and see that four days later, only a few hundred have declared some intention to go. Not 1,200 yet say they'll attend any rally anywhere on that date. Check out the vote tally for yourself.

Reich says he's willing to help but not organize. Again, huh? What else is needed, Robert, if not organization? Leadership, maybe? So three days after you toss out the idea, where's your public follow-up?

The rallies for heath care reform held earlier this year took months to plan and still produced dismal results, with the vast majority of those attending H-CAN's rally bused in by labor unions. But there won't be so many colorful shirts at Bob Reich's march on Washington. Because the unions are holding their annual conventions in Pittsburgh, Pa., starting that weekend, Sept. 13.

Who will foot the bill for a stage and audio equipment, buses to carry people, staff to make arrangements, more staff to arrange for lodging and travel, press kits, lobbying packets, refreshments, port-a-johns, etc? We're talking hundreds of thousands of dollars, minimum -- more likely millions in expenses for organizers alone. And the total cost for even 100,000 people could top $100 million in out-of-pocket expenses.

Will liberals show up in droves -- as they haven't yet -- to fill the void of absent union members and do better than the existing activist groups?

Convince me. I'm betting the few hundred lemmings who show up will feel as disappointed as I do after having walked off the cliff twice this year.

I dare you to take my bet.