The Conversation: Netroots Nation Flexes Muscles
Is President Obama satisfying the liberal bloggers who helped elect him?
July 26, 2010— -- Some of the liberal online activists who helped elect President Obama to the White House aren't happy, and this past weekend at the Netroots Nation convention in Las Vegas, they weren't shy about airing their gripes.
"I think if you talk to most progressive activists, they would say that things aren't going perhaps as quickly as they would like to see them, that perhaps the Obama administration hasn't been as proactive as they'd like to see things," said Politico reporter Charles Mahtesian, who attended the event.
Acknowledging some of those concerns, President Obama addressed the Convention in a video message, and other prominent political leaders made appearances at the gathering, including Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid.
The annual convention, once known as the YearlyKos convention, has become a signature event on the Democratic calendar, where party officials, elected leaders, and candidates can meet with the progressive bloggers whose influence grows with every passing year.
The convention took on added importance this year, given the uphill battle Democratic candidates face in the coming midterm elections.
"I think it's critical for the Democratic majority that the Democratic base comes out to vote in November and that they're enthusiastic about doing that," said Mahtesian.
Among the subjects on this year's agenda were panels on "Blogging a Red State Blue," and "Beyond the Tweet: Translating Enthusiasm on Twitter into Offline Activism."
Today on the Conversation, ABC's David Muir spoke with Mahtesian about his trip to the convention and also about the power of the Internet as a disruptive force that has changed the nature of modern-day politics and governance. We hope you'll watch.