It was a Very Special Super Chef Battle on Iron Chef America last night, featuring White House Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford, the White House vegetable garden, and garden proprietor (among other things) First Lady Michelle Obama. First Lady Obama joined Comerford, host Alton Brown, and the other Iron Chefs on the South Lawn to provide the night’s ‘secret ingredient’. The chefs had their fill of produce from the White House; the television event was intended to promote the benefits of home-grown vegetables and healthy eating habits.

Much as Newt Gingrich might wish it so, Tuesday’s election wasn’t a referendum on the President. And it wasn’t necessarily a referendum on the Democratic party platform, either. But it is probably a good lesson in campaigning for Democrats.

This year’s Netroots Nation, the annual gathering of of progressive bloggers launched in 2006, was different: The president from the party they fought to elect — President Barack Obama, a Democrat — is in power, and they no longer represent the voice of the opposition.

But that doesn’t mean they don’t have any.