I was happy to attend part of the 2019 Netroots Nation, the conference for progressive bloggers and activists. It was held in Philly, one of my fave big cities to visit. I first attended NN (then called Yearly Kos) in 2006 and have made it to about a half-dozen since. A few random observations:
* Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders were the clear leaders in presidential preference. In that order. Mayor Pete and Beto were off the radar screen. Harris also seemed to have significant support. Biden had support from organized labor.
* I really enjoyed a 20 minute conversation with Former PA Governor and former Philly Mayor Ed Rendell. We talked mostly about political history and the mistakes of the Clinton '16 campaign "they broke every rule in the book." Rendell has Parkinson's disease now and it kinda shows but he looked well overall. In 2020, please can we listen to Ed and spend a bit more on turnout in Philly and a few less facebook ads.
*In marked contrast from the 2007 NN, the presidential campaigns did not seem to be organizing at the conference this year, with the exception of Warren.
*Apparently Bernie pulled out at the last minute because he had a tough experience with Black Lives Matter activists four years ago at NN in Phoenix and he kinda views Markos as a smart-aleck. Sanders missed an opportunity. His support among most progressives seems to be "slip-sliding away."
* There were a lot of very impressive community organizers from Philly.
* I got stuck in the monumental traffic jam caused by a rally against ICE at 6th & Cherry. I briefly left the car to join the demo because we were completely boxed in by street closures for about 45 minutes. SOLIDARITY!
* Netroots Nation is consistantly well-managed and has become a pillar of active progressivism. Year in, year out, they put on a great conference and unlike the "tea-baggers" no one ever runs off with the proceeds.