At Least One Presidential Candidate Was in Austin!

In a surprise slightly less dramatic than Al Gore’s appearance, Libertarian presidential candidate Bob Barr also decided to show up at Netroots Nation.

I guess he figured he has better odds of picking up a few votes here than at the "competing" conservative event, the "Defending the American Dream Summit," taking place across town. Fortunately, we have this account by Dave Neiwert (who ventured over to the event and, coincidently, is part of a panel speaking in front of me as I type this) which conveniently provides a view of the sparse conservative crowd . . .


. . . to contrast to this image of the Netroots Nation crowd.


As for Barr, based on the attention he seems to be getting from the almost unanimously progressive group of attendees, I can only wonder whether Ralph Nader would get the same level of respect if he were to show up!

Somehow, I doubt it!