Does Protesting really do all that Much?

I have talked a bit about how protesting might make some bad headlines and step on the GOP message. I have also links to some people worried about how some people are worried about blowback from such protests. But I think the real story here is just how worthless protesting is. Think about the tremendous effort that it takes to get 250,000 people to march on the streets of New York for a cause. The phone calls, the time organizing, making the banners and so on. The end result is maybe a headline that says "Thousands Hit NYC Streets; Cheney Arrives" and then Bush ignores the protest, wins the election and goes about the business of running the country into the ground. Think about if all that protest energy went into getting 250,000 people to vote. Elections turn history. Protests do not. The Bush administration, if it is secure in its electoral victory can ignore street protests. There were massive protests in the lead up to the Iraq war. If you look at the protests on a global scale, the Iraq war was the most heavily protested war ever. And protesting was a complete failure. It did not cause the Bush administration so much as a moment’s hesitation. But just a few more votes in 2000 would have elected this guy. And there would not have been an Iraq War. These people do not keep Karl Rove up at night because they will never cost his guy power. These people could. They are getting people to vote. They will cost Bush his job.