Let's make the NW Bluer!

On Friday night, Wes Clark and Howard Dean gave rousing speeches to kick off the weekend celebration. Jeff mingled about, meeting bloggers at as many tables as we could get to. He also had the opportunity to meet with one of my favorite candidates running for Congress, Darcy Burner.

Electing both Jeff and Darcy would not only make the NW bluer, it would make our Congress more progressive. That's what we want right? Jeff not only met with Darcy Burner, he also had a chance to meet General Clark and TX-Sen candidate Rick Noriega.

Jeff Merkley and General Clark



Jeff Merkley and Rick Noriega

Hanging with the Bloggers on Friday Night

After the keynote, we headed over to the Turn Texas Blue Party. It was the place to be on Friday night, bustling with bloggers and candidates. It's hot in Austin so there's nothing like a warm night and a cold beer. Jeff enjoyed a beer and chatted with bloggers and activists.

After we left the party, Jeff said to me, "I'm having so much fun!" He said, "There are so many interesting people to talk to at this convention." I think Jeff really felt like he was in his element. After all, Jeff Merkley and the netroots share the same values. Jeff is a progressive Democrat who opposed the war, is an advocate of UHC and opposes immunity for telecom.

Chatting over Coffee with the next Senator from Oregon

On Friday morning, Jeff met with bloggers at a coffee meet and greet. Bloggers were able to grab a cup of coffee, have something sweet to eat and chat with Jeff. This is exactly the kind of event that all candidates should have in their own states. Small events are important where everyday citizens have a chance to talk with their future Senators and Reps about the issues they care about.

Energy Smart Jeff

Jeff was lucky enough to be able to participate in the Energizing America panel, moderated by A Siegel. Other participants included Devilstower, Jerome a Paris, AK-Sen candidate Mark Begich and Debbie Cook CA-46. Jeff spoke about the need for an Energy Smart Congress and how we all need to mobilize to push serious reforms through Congress.

Jeff was very appreciative of the opportunity to speak on the panel. Fighting climate change and reforming our energy policy is one his top priorities and he is determined to lead on the issue once in the Senate. I will be posting video and pics of the panel early next week, so keep an eye out.

As I was taking Jeff back to the airport, he reiterated to me how much fun he had at the convention. He respects my fellow bloggers and all the work they do to elevate important issues that the mainstream media is not covering. Keep on scrolling down for more pics of Jeff chatting with bloggers at Netroots Nation.

Here's a pic of Jeff chatting with bloggers before the Keynote on Friday:

Here is a great pic of Jeff talking to the wonderful folks at Act Blue:

A big thank you from myself and the Merkley Campaign to all the great folks who put on Netroots Nation this year. It's been fun...and it's not over yet!