NOT WITH A BANG, BUT WITH A WHIMPER: In my light-blogging weekend, I missed the story of how Martha Burk’s Augusta National campaign fizzled, with only 40 protesters showing up despite massive support from The New York Times.

Will Burk’s strategy work after a demonstration at which Burk arrived with a group of 40 protestors?

“It seems obvious to me that her credibility has been shattered,” said Jim McCarthy, Augusta National’s media consultant. “Her whole campaign was premised on widespread support, and she delivered an embarrassingly small number.”

I don’t think this does a lot for Howell Raines’ credibility, either. If flood-the-zone coverage can’t fill a single bus, what does this say about the Times’ influence?