Trailhead: A campaign blog.

Identity Tag Politics

AUSTIN -- Netroots Nation is reportedly forcing Fox News reporters to wear badges that say “Opinion Media.” That’s funny, because my credential just says “Media.” And Slate IS opinion media.

Anyway, a convention ID speaks a thousand words. Some bloggers have crossed out their names and written in their blog handles. Others have affixed colored ribbons marking them as a “Speaker” or “Sponsor.” Still others have fashioned their own ribbons, saying “Embedded MSM Reporter,” FBI agent, and CIA operative.

And oh, the swag. Convention participants receive, among other things, a bright orange tote bag, free copies of Mother Jones and The Nation, a bottle opener, a mini-Constitution, a bag of salsa chips, a fortune cookie from 236.com, and a condom that says “protect your constitution.” Needless to say, some of these items will get more use than others.

The Netroots Grow Up

AUSTIN – In an interview with Barack Obama last week, PBS’s Gwen Ifill pointed out that Obama’s decision to reverse himself on public financing has “raised hackles in the press.” Obama corrected her: "Well, raised hackles amongst some in the blogosphere.”

Iced!

Maybe that’s why the CW going into the third-annual Netroots Nation conference was about Obama-blogger tensions. Last year, all three major Democratic candidates showed up. This year, Obama was too busy. So I expect the question on every tongue to be, Why does he think the Brandenburg Gate is more important than his bloggy base?

But I have to agree with skeptics that the “tension” between the netroots—I’m writing that without scare quotes to save server space—and Obama seems a little overblown. No one I’ve spoken with has suggested they’re not voting for Obama. No one even seems particularly peeved by positions on constitutional issues like gun bans, faith-based initiatives, and the death penalty.  In the outside world, “FISA” is shorthand for online disenchantment with Obama. Here, it’s shorthand for the silly notion that the liberal blogosphere has abandoned him.

Instead, I get the impression this conference is about the netroots going legit. They’ve dropped the “YearlyKos” label. The panels and events are largely about organization—“Get Ready to Volunteer,” “Canvassing and Phonebanking,” “From Online Engagement to Offline Activism.” And as if to allay concerns about the Democratic nominee, the Obama campaign has sent a whole delegation of surrogates. Andy Borowitz brilliantly mocked liberal bloggers for “Accus[ing] Obama of Trying to Win Election.” But in truth, they’re trying to help him win, too.

Maybe forehead vessels will burst during the ‘Roots-DLC smackdown between Markos Moulitsas and Harold Ford Jr. Maybe Nancy Pelosi will get slammed for appeasing Republicans during tomorrow’s Q&A. Or maybe everyone has realized that this year, the stakes are too high not to be on the same team.