Who said members of Congress aren't popular?

For a handful of summers, liberals -- and then conservatives -- have gotten together for big online political activism conferences.

First came Netroots Nation, and then several years later the smaller conservative counterpart, RightOnline. Last year, when the dueling conferences took place in Pittsburgh, former President Bill Clinton was the guest of honor for the Netroots, while fiery blogger Michelle

Malkin pumped up activists across the river at RightOnline.

But this weekend as the conferences kick off in Las Vegas, the big stars are coming from the legislative branch. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Minnesota Sen. Al Franken are topping the bill for Netroots, while Reps. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., and Mike Pence, R-Ind., are the big draws at RightOnline.

"I think we win in having the better Minnesotan, at least from our perspective," joked Erik Telford, RightOnline's executive director.

The conferences moved back to Vegas this year because this is where Netroots Nation (which, back in the day, was called YearlyKos after liberal blog DailyKos) began five years ago. RightOnline has always purposely been in the same city as the progressive conference every year.

And this time around, it's the midterm election that will be on everybody's mind.

"I think a lot of people are curious to see what the base thinks. This is going to be a really good gauge because our attendees really do pretty much represent the base," said Mary Rickles, communications director for Netroots Nation. About 2,000 people are expected to come to Netroots, which begins Thursday.

"November could be a very happy month for conservatives," Telford said. More than 1,000 people are registered for RightOnline, which starts Friday.