Netroots, BBQ and some amazing congressional candidates

There are many great things about this year's Netroots Nation conference. One of the best is the ability to meet so many congressional candidates. I just got back from lunch -- another bbq fest -- with five stellar candidates from across the nation.



I've become convinced that sharing barbecue is one of the best ways to get to know candidates. I'm in the picture with Charlie Warner who is running against David Drier in CA-26; Ben Ray Lujan is who running for the open seat in NM-03; Dan Seals who is challenging incumbent Mark Kirk in IL-10; Annette Taddeo (a favorite of AMERICAblog) who is working to defeat Ileana Ros-Lehtinen in FL-18; and Jim Himes, running against Chris Shays in CT-04.

Great group with great energy and solid progressive credentials.

When I asked Lujan if Obama would win New Mexico, without a hesitation, he said, "Absolutely."

I also got to meet Matt Reichbach from New Mexico FBIHOP, a great state-based blog. New Mexico is a hopping with political activity: Battleground for president; open Senate seat; and all three House seats are open. We'll keep in touch with Matt for the news from New Mexico.