As I prepare to write articles and blogs every week, I often Google various subjects to help research my topic. Perhaps, like me, you’ve noticed that too often, the majority of the results are liberal blogs. Now that the Internet has become the primary source of information in our time, it’s imperative that conservatives counter this influx of disinformation with the truth. The only way to do that is to provide our own content online.

Recognizing the need for conservatives to take back the Internet, Americans for Prosperity launched their Right Online conference last year in Austin, Texas. This year, over 700 conservative activists descended upon Pittsburgh to attend AFP’s second annual Right Online conference. Just across the river from where the conservative conference was held, the Left was holding its own Internet gathering: NetRoots Nation Convention. Reporters split their time between the two competing camps, covering both.

Break-out sessions covered topics ranging from how to fundraise online, Facebook and Twitter 101, and how to shoot a video for You Tube. It was clear that many of the older attendees were activists who realized they needed to use the powerful tools provided on the Internet in order to be more effective in their efforts. During the conference, attendees and supporters across the nation could communicate via a Twitter feed set up on the Right Online web site. Using the hashtag #righton, conservative tweeters discussed what they were learning and how best to network nationwide.

Friday afternoon AFP held a very well-attended “hands off our healthcare” rally at the hotel. A young 11-year old conservative by the name of Quentin Cody, wowed the crowd with his 2-minute rallying speech.

That evening’s dinner featured a speech from Pennsylvania U.S. Senate candidate and former Club for Growth President Pat Toomey. Saturday’s general session featured a who’s who of conservative bloggers, writers, and commentators. Among the speakers were John Fund, Stephen Moore, Erick Erickson, Matt Lewis, and conservatives’ number one blogger, Michelle Malkin, Even Joe the Plumber shared some encouragement with the audience. C-Span covered the event and has an archive of the conference on their web site.

One of the key points carried away from the conference was the acknowledgement that the Left has done a great job taking their fight to the Internet. Conservatives have lagged behind, but are quickly catching up. If you haven’t started a Facebook or Twitter account yet, take the plunge and join the fight for conservatism online. And for those who really want to network with fellow online warriors, plan on attending next year’s Right Online conference.

This entry was posted on Monday, August 17th, 2009 at 12:00 am and is filed under Blog Posts.