During the build-up to Glenn Beck's personal appearances in Wilmington, Ohio yesterday, where he hosted his radio show, TV show and sold tickets to a theater performances, Beck's producers told city officials that upwards of 20,000 Glenn Beck fans might descend on the small town. Indeed, Beck spent weeks urging his listeners and viewers to go to Wilmington on Dec. 15 and support the town, which has been hard hit by layoffs.

But instead of 20,000, the turnout yesterday was closer to 2,000-3,000. Assistant Wilmington Police Chief, Duane Weyand tells me that's a “fair estimate.”

I can't say I'm surprised. I warned Wilmington locals not to get their hopes too high in terms of being overrun by fans simply because more often than not, Beck, despite his supposed superstar status, has trouble drawing large crowds.