Earlier today on DailyKos a user outed me as a 'spy' at Netroots Nation, writing:

"Blogcritic's Dave Nalle files his first spy report. As he acknowledges right off the bat, he is there undercover to see what the other side is doing. He demonstrates his complete ignorance of the left blogosphere in his description of the attendees and the dkos blogging community. Beware who you're talking to at the conference."

He sort of misses the point of my reporting on Netroots Nation. It's a pretty poor spy who writes up descriptions of his exploits while they are ongoing and releases them through a major web magazine which is linked into Google News. I'm not interested in rooting out deep dark secrets or causing confrontation. I'm interested in the political process, regardless of the ideology involved, and think there's real value in understanding the beliefs and thought processes of those who may not share one's viewpoint. I don't need to go out of my way to understand the beliefs of Republicans or Libertarians, but I can't pass up the opportunity to gain more knowledge about the progressive left and actually expand my experience at an event like Netroots Nation.

It will be interesting to see what kind of reception I get tomorrow, assuming that I'm recognized for the dreaded interloper which some clearly think I am. What people have to beware of in talking to me is a puzzle. From what I've seen so far there's not much going on at Netroots Nation which is nefarious or unexpected, but maybe I've been missing the top-secret planning sessions where space aliens hand out mind control weapons or the ghost of Karl Marx conducts satanic rituals over the naked body of Obama Girl. Actually, that last one might be kind of fun.

Another Kind of Netroots

Today I got a chance to check in and spend a little time at the right-wing alternative to Netroots Nation, Americans for Prosperity's Defending the American Dream Summit. It was smaller and cozier, but well attended, one of scores of similar state events coordinated by AFP. For those who aren't familiar with AFP, it's a political foundation dedicated to promoting lower spending, lower taxes and smaller government. It differs from most right-leaning organizations because it is very interested in reaching out to young voters, non-traditional conservatives and libertarians to build a base of support broader than just the usual Republican constituency.