The annual Netroots Nation progressive blogger conference took place in Pittsburgh this weekend. While Lowell has already posted about Bill Clinton's appearance Thursday night, I thought I'd share some quick thoughts from the event from a Virginia perspective:
- Overall, attendance was down slightly, though not as badly as you might think in an off-year and a bad economy.
- Didn't spot many familiar faces from Virginia. Among the few I saw were Blue Commonwealth's TeacherKen and Arlington Democrats Marge Signer and Brian Devine. Not Larry Sabato had conspicuously positioned himself in a chair practically in the middle of the main hallway, apparently hoping to be recognized by as many people as possible. Later, I spotted him talking to Mike Rogers; wonder what that was all about.
- While Gov. Jon Corzine (D-NJ) participated in a key panel and I spotted him in the breakout session area, there was little sign of the Creigh Deeds campaign. I saw a few Deeds stickers, but that was about it.
- Attendees seemed to be lulled into complacency about Virginia, like, "Didn't we just turn that blue?" Some were shocked to hear that the statewide races will be uphill battles.
- Rep. Tom Perriello was repeatedly cited as a model Democrat in a swing district -- willing to stand up for progressive values and defend them to voters. While Glenn Nye was viewed as a rising star at last year's conference, I only heard his name come up once this year, and when it did, it brought awkward silence and disappointed head shakes.
Netroots Nation 2010 will take place July 22-25 in Las Vegas. Hope to see you there!
