AUSTIN -- In an interactive session with Netroots Nation conference attendees, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi gave a brief opening statement this morning before answering questions from the audience. Then, about 45 minutes into the session, the crowd was given a joyous jolt when Al Gore walked on stage. A loud and long standing ovation ensued.

Gore addressed global warming and the melting polar ice cap, and, when asked, said he would not accept a position in an Obama administration -- presumably including the vice presidency. "I really feel that the highest and best use of whatever talents I have in my life" is outside the political realm, he said. "I'm devoting my life, trying to bring about a sea change in public opinion across party lines that supports the massive policy changes we need to have."

Both Gore and Pelosi addressed domestic and offshore drilling, a solution to high gas prices that John McCain first included in his energy plan last month. "The idea that we can drill our way out of this is so absurd as to not warrant a reply," Gore said, before comparing the idea to the hangover remedy of 'the hair of the dog that bit you.' They also both addressed renewable energy and the challenge Gore previously made to legislators to make all of America's electricity generated from clean, renewable energy sources in the next 10 years.

"We have to switch our electricity generation system," Gore said today. "We ought to make a commitment as a country to get 100 percent of our electricity from renewable energy sources." Pelosi said she was glad that Gore had made that challenge and that it was "absolutely possible."

With the exception of a few heckles, Pelosi was applauded throughout her question-and-answer session -- not a given here, at a convention filled with people who make their opinions known on a daily basis. Pelosi was asked about abortion, FISA and ending the war in Iraq; the latter, she said, would be easier to accomplish with a Democrat in the White House.