Jeff Merkley Heading to Netroots Nation!

Oregon Senate candidate Jeff Merkley is heading to Austin to attend Netroots Nation! Jeff has always believed that the netroots is a critical part of how we make progressive change in this country. He also knows that upstart, passionate Democratic challengers like Jon Tester and Sherrod Brown need the netroots to defeat entrenched incumbent Republicans like Gordon Smith.

Follow me below the fold to find out more about Jeff's visit to Austin...

Full disclosure; I am the netroots director for OR-Sen candidate Jeff Merkley

The Merkley Campaign has been gaining momentum in the online community. Not only did Jeff out-raise Gordon Smith this past quarter, he also had an amazing showing online. He raised over $420,000 online which was twice the amount he raised online from all three quarters combined! Pretty amazing isn't it?

This is an opportunity for bloggers to meet with Jeff face to face and an opportunity for Jeff to hear the concerns of progressive activists from all across the country. You and I both know that Gordon Smith is out of sync with Oregon and out of touch with the challenges everyday people face. Smith was instrumental in blocking the Employee Free Choice Act and voted against raising the minimum wage. Smith voted for telecom immunity and has been a rubberstamp for Bush when it comes to illegal surveillance. Smith spends millions misleading voters into believing he is a moderate, so it's up to the netroots to hold Smith’s feet to the fire when the media gives him a pass.

It's time for the netroots to come face to face with progressive Democrat Jeff Merkley. Jeff is a candidate who will always fight for the best interest of working Americans. Jeff will not fold on FISA, ending the war or voting to pass harmful energy policies. Don't you think it's time you meet Jeff in person?

Meet Jeff at Dean's Keynote Speech

This Thursday Jeff will be greeting bloggers as they enter the exhibit hall to hear Howard Dean's keynote speech. Grab a Merkley bumper sticker and meet the next U.S. Senator from Oregon!

Thursday Night in Austin

Jeff will be meeting with bloggers from all across the country to talk about the issues YOU care about. Jeff will be discussing major problems facing our country like ending the Iraq War to reforming our insane energy policy. Want to talk to Jeff about how we progressives can make a difference in DC? Come find Jeff after the keynote on Thursday night and let's have a conversation!

Friday Morning Coffee Meet and Greet

This Friday at 8am - 8:45am, Jeff will be meeting with bloggers in front of the Java Jive coffee shop in the Hilton Hotel. How does rolling out of bed, grabbing a cup of coffee and chatting with the next Senator from Oregon sound? It's a great way to start your day!

Energizing America; Setting an Agenda for Progress

On Friday at 9am, Jeff will join the Energizing America Panel, moderated by A Siegel. Other participants include Devilstower, Jerome a Paris, AK-Sen candidate Mark Begich and Debbie Cook candidate for CA-46. The panel will focus on critical environmental problems and innovative approaches to the challenges we face.

Yep...I'm going to Netroots Nation too!

This will be the first time I attend the yearly blogger convention. I've wanted to go the in years prior but was never able to. I am so excited to meet my fellow bloggers in person. I mean sheesh, we talk enough online, we should meet offline! I've been blogging for a number of years now and I've come to feel like a part of the progressive blogging community so attending Netroots Nation is a big deal to me.

Now, back to the task at hand.....Jeff Merkley wants to meet YOU! I hope that you'll be able to meet Jeff at one of the events I listed above. After all, you'll be meeting our next progressive champion in the U.S. Senate! If you want to get a hold of me so you can make sure to meet Jeff, email me at [e-mail]

See you there!