stollerMatt_5027-1, originally uploaded by matthewnstoller.

This morning at the Heritage Foundation, I hosted a panel discussion about the Open House Project, an effort by the Sunlight Foundation to bring greater transparency to the House of Representatives. Panelists included John Wonderlich of Sunlight, former congressional staffer David All and Matt Stoller of the liberal blog MyDD. We had a small but engaged crowd that asked some insightful questions. I hope everyone who joined us in person and watched online found it interesting and enlightening.

I joked with Stoller before we started that I had to edit his bio . Little did I know that my friend Josh Trevino was already taking issue with my inviting Stoller to speak. In a post on his blog yesterday, Trevino writes:

My movement colleague Rob Bluey, who is heading up this event, is a good and generous man, who shows his better nature in inviting a left-wing hack to a right-wing institution. But when other right-wing institutions reach out to leftist luminaries, Stoller pitches a fit: exhibit A being his leadership of the successful campaign to force the cancellation of a Democratic debate on Fox News, the latter being part of the VRWC in Stoller’s mind. The difference between Fox, with its debatable advancement of the GOP, and Heritage, with its definite advancement of the GOP, is simple: Heritage helps advance the cause of one Matthew Stoller.

While I understand Trevino’s concern — and expected to catch flak for inviting Stoller — I stand by my decision. Stoller and I don’t agree on very much, but we do share a common belief that open government benefits both the right and the left. (He was very articulate on that point during today’s discussion; video will be available soon.)

Will I come back to regret my decision? I hope not. The Matt Stoller that I’ve come to know is someone who I’ve been able to work with constructively toward a common goal. Can he been an over-the-top liberal? No doubt. (He called himself a Trotskyite today.) But I’m sure those on the left could say I’m a stubborn and close-minded right-winger.

What I’ve enjoyed so much about the Open House Project is that it has created a dialog where we can stop yelling at one another and start conversing in a more civil manner. I can only hope that continues, not only on this project but others as well.

UPDATE — 3:50 p.m.: David All responds on techRepublican.