Conservative response to the Nutroots

Austin American-Statesman:

Move over, Netroots Nation: The conservatives are coming.

As an estimated 3,000 people, mostly liberal bloggers and online activists, convene in Austin next week, the Texas chapter of Americans for Prosperity, a grassroots organization that champions limited government and free markets, has added for the first time a new-media emphasis to its Defending the American Dream state summit.

"We're not trying to go toe-to-toe with Netroots," said Peggy Venable, Texas director of Americans for Prosperity, noting that the conservative meeting might be one-tenth the size of the Netroots Nation convention.

The creation of RightOnLine.com, however, underscores the concern by conservatives that liberal activists are using the Internet more effectively.

"We recognize that the left has been more active online," Venable said. "We're doing this for the (conservative) movement here in Texas."

Venable said her organization has found at least 120 conservative bloggers across the state and has begun introducing them to one another: "We're shocked we found that many."

...

Speakers include nationally-known tax reformer Grover Norquist; former U.S. Rep. Barry Goldwater Jr.; former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele, a possible GOP vice-presidential candidate; and Libertarian presidential candidate Bob Barr.

Robert Novak, a syndicated columnist, will represent "old media," while "new media" speakers will include author and blogger Michelle Malkin and RedState.com director Erick Erickson.

...

"I think Netroots will help keep Austin weird," she (Veneble) said. "Ours will help keep Texas prosperous."

The opportunity to contrast conservatism with the arrogance and evils of liberalism is not to be passed up. I will be attending the conference and try to do some posting from Austin next weekend.