Activists and bloggers on the left and the right held competing national conventions in Pittsburgh, PA, this week. Health care reform and the financial crisis brought progressives to Netroots Nation 2009, while proponents of the free market system attended RightOnline, hosted by Americans for Prosperity.

RightOnline, the two-day national convention for activists affiliated with the conservative advocacy group Americans for Prosperity, holds their second annual meeting in Pittsburgh, PA. Scheduled to coincide with the liberal Netroots Nation's national meeting in the same city,

Senior White House Advisor Valerie Jarrett is a keynote speaker during the last session of Netroots Nation 2009, a gathering of progressive bloggers and activists in Pittsburgh, PA. Also speaking are: Gov. Jon Corzine (D-NJ), who joins a panel on "Building a 21st Century Economy." Netroots was formerly known as the YearlyKos Convention.

Progressive bloggers and activists gathered in Pittsburgh, PA, for Netroots Nation 2009 (formerly the YearlyKos Convention). Fmr. Gov. Howard Dean (D-VT) held a town hall on health reform, followed by a forum with Sen. Arlen Specter and primary opponent, Rep. Joe Sestak. Then a discussion on reshaping the U.S. Supreme Court.

Pres. Bill Clinton gives the opening keynote address at the 2009 Netroots Nation Convention, (formerly YearlyKos). The forum looks to communicate progressive policies through the use of online technologies.

Fmr. Gen. Wesley Clark speaks at the Netroots Nation Convention in Austin, TX. General Clark talks about Middle East foreign policy and issues affecting the dynamics of the current presidential election.

Democratic National Cmte. Chairman Howard Dean opens Netroots Nation's Third Annual Convention in Austin, Texas. In his address, Chairman Dean forecasts that the 2008 presidential election "is going to be a very close race.” Netroots Nation focuses on using technology as a tool to participate in public debate.

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean opens Netroots Nation's third Annual Convention in Austin, Texas. Netroots Nation (formerly known as the YearlyKos) focuses on using technology as a tool to participate in public debate.