Welcome bloggers!BURLINGTON- The second annual Green Mountain Daily/Vermont Daily Briefing political BBQ and hamburger summit went off without a hitch as political bloggers from all over the state, left and right, Democrat and Republican, impeach or no impeach, gathered together to talk politics, blogging, and find out what we all look like in 3-D.
The weather cooperated, libations were flowing, and like last year, it was another great turn-out of bloggers, politicans, activists, and even some media coverage from Seven Days Press, a northern Vermont weekly.
" It also shows what a great, tight-knit, and supportive community there is," said Vermont Daily Briefing's Philip Baruth.
Welcome bloggers!
I traveled two hours by car with WKVT's Gorty Baldwin (a.k.a. "Mudlegs"), parked the car and saw a group of about 30 bloggers hanging by the beach, eating burgers, and playing wiffle ball. We arrived amongst the star-studded blogosphere and were warmly greeted. This year's attendees were the following:
Our amazing hosts: Philip Baruth and John Odum
Euan Bear, a.k.a. NanuqFC
Obama man, Neil Jensen
Our token conservative, the lovely Ms. Charity Tensel
And last but not least, former Bill Clinton speech-writer and national award-winning blogger from Essex Steve Benen.
Also in the mix were:
* Shay Totten, Vermont Guardian
* Rep. David Zuckerman, P-Burlington
* Rep. Mark Larson, D-Winooski
* Arnie Gunderson, the guy Vermont Yankee loves to hate
* And yes, the one and only, U.S. Congressman Peter Welch.
Too much mingling, too much catching up, not enough time to eat. I did hear much discussion about Dan DeWalt's potential run for Congress. Welch said he was concerned, but not panicking. Quite a few people put the pressure on him re: impeachment. They got more of the same from Peter. The only thing I can say is keep up the pressure folks!
Mudlegs met up with the folks who exposed the Second Vermont Republic's hypocrisy and recapped the controversy. Mudlegs also shared his utmost admiration for SVR founder Tom Naylor to the bloggers delight (I'm kidding Gorty!).
There's talk about having a Vermont blogosphere/citizen journalist meet-up in Brattleboro this fall and hopefully "Live & Local" will get to broadcast the show they never got around to doing last winter!
All in all, a lot of small talk, a lot of great story-swapping, and great weather to boot. It was a bit quieter than last year's but we expect it to be a bigger one next year with the 2008 election and all. And yes, people were wondering where were Chris & Lise and Steve West!
Below are some picutres from yesterday's festivities. Hope you enjoy and be sure to come to next year's BBQ!
- patagonianomore
The organizers: Philip Baruth and John Odum
Bill Simmon of Candleblog and Neil Jensen of What's The Point?
The fearless Green Mountain Daily front pagers: John Odum, JD Ryan, and Euan Bear
Arnie Gundersen flippin' burgers and Gorty "Mudlegs" Baldwin of "Live & Local"
JD Ryan sez: "So Welchie, when you gonna impeach?"
Charity Tensel and patagonianomore: Who sez left and right can't get a long?
Rep David Zuckerman (P-Burlington) and daughter Addie
A beautiful view of Lake Champlain from North Beach
SEE YOU ALL NEXT YEAR!