AUSTIN – Former Vice President Al Gore praised the left-leaning bloggers of Net- roots Nation on Saturday as being at the forefront of reclaiming American democracy and urged the activists to mobilize for global climate protection.

"Thank you for the movement that you have created," Mr. Gore said. "I can't tell you how important I think it is that you continue what you are doing."

Mr. Gore and Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi addressed the bloggers' convention and took questions from the crowd on the environment, education and the war in Iraq. Netroots Nation is in Austin for its annual meeting of about 2,000 bloggers and political organizers.

Much of Ms. Pelosi's time at the convention was spent speaking out for an end to the war and for the election of Democrat Barack Obama as president. Ms. Pelosi said she and fellow House Democrats have repeatedly called for a U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq.

"The end could be in sight," she said to cheers from the audience. "This will not happen without the election of Barack Obama as president of the United States."

Mr. Gore was billed as a "surprise" guest for Ms. Pelosi's Saturday-morning session and spoke during the question-and-answer portion. He repeated his familiar message of combating global warming and said the seriousness of the climate problem is related to the economic and security crises of America's dependence on foreign oil.

The Associated Press