I got a chance to meet former Dean campaign manager Joe Trippi and Daily Kos blogger Markos Moulitsas on Friday and had a chance to chat a little bit.

It was, in some way, full circle. Two Januaries ago, I was in Iowa during the caucuses, knocking on doors in near zero degree weather for the Dean campaign. I had a friend that worked on the campaign and, it being the beginning of school, I decided to take up an offer to hop on a bus and sleep in a crowded hotel room in Dubuque, Iowa.

Anyway, I was introduced to Mr. Trippi and my introducer mentioned I had been in Iowa. One of the staffers asked if I had gotten a hat.

I had. It's still in my room in Wisconsin Rapids.

It was a great experience as one who has a particular interest in the convergence of technology and politics. The Internet eliminates old transaction costs of collecting donations (putting small donations back into play), and bloggers have filled a niche among (and, as some would argue, helped to undermine) an increasingly timid traditional media.