Netroot Nation will conduct its sixth annual convention this weekend in Minneapolis, and discussions of how the “Netroots” can promote Big Labor will dominate. NN is a growing caucus of progressive bloggers and on-line activist organizations, such as MoveOn, the Daily Kos and Huffington Post, which meets annually to reframe and coordinate priorities. The NN was central to the nomination of Obama in 2008 and plays a power role in progressive politics and activism, particularly among the young and tech savvy. Put succinctly, Netroots is the epitome of progressive techie cool. Unions used to be the ugly step-uncle, with deep pockets, of the progressive Left but events in Wisconsin have changed all that. This year’s NN convention promises to be wall-to-wall union propagandizing as resurrecting organized labor has been pushed to the forefront of the progressive agenda, even ahead of perennial list toppers like global warming, gay marriage and ending the wars. The event’s sponsor list includes all the usual suspects – SEIU, LIUNA, AFSCME, UFCW, AFT, IAM, Change to Win and of course the AFL-CIO. Here’s a short list of some of our favorite workshop topics and other events – “Countering Hate Speak that Villainizes (sic) Workers and Unions” “Reclaiming Our Middle Class State By State” “The Attack on America’s Middle Class, and the Plan to Fight Back” “Fight Back for Good Jobs Rally” “Engaging Progressives in the Fight to Save Public Education” “Brothers On the Line: A film by Sasha Reuther” “Lessons from SEIU California: Micro-targeting to Win” “Bloggers Unite! How the Netroots Rallied in Wisconsin” “Labor Showcase” Opening Reception Sponsored by AFSCME Karaoke Party Sponsored by SEIU Bourbon and Bacon tasting happy hour, sponsored by UFCW Morning News Dump (we just like the sound of that) The Take Action, Taste a Union Beer Booth “The Future of the American Dream”
