U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek was among about a dozen candidates who attended the annual Netroots Nation convention in Pittsburgh, according to Roll Call:
Meek leaned against the doorway to the bar, where he observed the crowd of liberal bloggers. The four-term Florida Democrat is waging an uphill open-seat Senate battle and is likely to face popular Gov. Charlie Crist (R) in next year's election.
Meek admitted he doesn't know many of the net-roots writers in the room, but that's why he's there – to begin to build relationships with activists that could nationalize his campaign. In particular, he said he needed all the help he could get to collect the more than 112,000 signatures he needs to get on the 2010 ballot.
"I am here to be able to expand my campaign, not only in the state of Florida, but also nationally,'' Meek said.
Not only are the net roots helpful for candidates when it comes to their activist organizing, they also have the manpower to boost a campaign financially through online fundraising. Meek will need that kind of support in 2010. He had just over half of Crist's $4.3 million in the bank for his bid at the end of June, although Crist will have to spend some of his funds fighting off a primary challenge while Meek currently has no opposition for the Democratic nomination.
"They are Davids in the worlds of Goliaths," Meek remarked of the bloggers. "There are many Davids in that room. And that's what my campaign is all about, David versus Goliath."
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