CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA — Extreme Mortman reporting from the road, at the Sorensen Institute’s 2006 Summit on Blogging and Democracy in the Commonwealth.

Virginia bloggers have traditionally been at the leading edge of political blogging, primarily because of the frequency of elections in Virginia and the fact that statewide campaigns are conducted in off-years, when there is less competition for political news.  Virginia bloggers are also well organized.  Even unionized perhaps, in this right-to-work state.

The growing importance, influence, and sophistication of blogging in Virginia politics was driven home at this summit, which featured presenations by two likely Republican candidates for Governor in 2009: Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling and Attorney General Bob McDonnell.

Just as the Yearly Kos convention attracted Democratic presidential candidates to Las Vegas, the presence of Bolling and McDonnell at UVA sends the clear message that bloggers will play an increasingly important role in the Commonwealth as the next campaign unfolds.

Thanks to Charlottesville rock star blogger Waldo Jaquith for alerting that Bolling and McDonnell remarks are available as MP3s here and here, courtesy the Sorensen Institute.  They also provide these photos of both, Bolling first, then McDonnell.