---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Grass-roots politics, linking…"
description: "\"Grass-roots politics, linking small-dollar fundraising to massive local volunteer organization, showed that it can rival the power of a right-wing mach..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eea/jon-ossoff-17178_computers_grass-roots-politics-linking-small-dolla_2272056.jpg"
---

#  Grass-roots politics, linking small-dollar fundraising to…

![“Grass-roots politics, linking small-dollar fundraising to massive local volunteer organization, showed that it can rival the power of a right-wing machine comprising super PACs backed by entrenched interests and mega-donors.” quote by Jon Ossoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eea/jon-ossoff-17178_computers_grass-roots-politics-linking-small-dolla_2272056.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eea/jon-ossoff-17178_computers_grass-roots-politics-linking-small-dolla_2272056.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eea/jon-ossoff-17178_computers_grass-roots-politics-linking-small-dolla_2272056.jpg)

> “Grass-roots politics, linking small-dollar fundraising to massive local volunteer organization, showed that it can rival the power of a right-wing machine comprising super PACs backed by entrenched interests and mega-donors.”

[Jon Ossoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-ossoff/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Grassroots movements can match well-funded partisan machines by mobilizing local volunteers and small donors.

**In simple terms:** Grassroots can rival big money politics.

Key Takeaway

Build local volunteer networks and small donor bases.

Themes

politics grassroots campaigns fundraising power dynamics

Mood

optimistic determined

Type

inspirational political

When to use this quote

- local elections
- community organizing
- fundraising drives
- policy advocacy

Key Concepts

democratic participation collective action political strategy

Questions to Reflect On

- How can small donors sustain long‑term political influence?
- What structures protect grassroots movements from co‑optation?

A Different Perspective

Grassroots success still depends on media exposure and candidate charisma.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Computers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computers/) [Fundraising](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fundraising/) [Fundraising Massive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fundraising-massive-5269541/) [Machine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/machine/) [Mega Donors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mega-donors-5269542/) [Organization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/organization/) [Pacs Backed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pacs-backed-5269543/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) [Super Pacs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/super-pacs-308578/) [Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trump/)

## Related quotes

> [I would do away with super PACs. I think it's a cancer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kent-conrad/i-would-do-away-with-super-pacs-i-think-it-s-a-cancer/)

[Kent Conrad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kent-conrad/)

> [I mean this is a revolution in how campaigns work - more money was spent by super PACs than by either myself or John…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zephyr-teachout/i-mean-this-is-a-revolution-in-how-campaigns-work-more-money-was/)

[Zephyr Teachout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zephyr-teachout/)

> [“Sheldon Adelson, for example, gave more than $53 million to Super PACs, but all eight of the candidates he supported lost.59 Karl Rove, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-h-tribe/sheldon-adelson-for-example-gave-more-than-53-million-to-super-pacs/)

[Laurence H. Tribe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-h-tribe/)

> [Citizens United opened the door to 'super PACs,' groups that can accept unlimited donations from individuals or corporations and spend them on behalf of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamelle-bouie/citizens-united-opened-the-door-to-super-pacs-groups-that-can-accept/)

[Jamelle Bouie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamelle-bouie/)

> [Incumbents don't like it, but political competition is a good thing. Incumbents usually outspend challengers by better than 3 to 1. Super PACs, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-a-smith/incumbents-don-t-like-it-but-political-competition-is-a-good-thing/)

[Bradley A. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-a-smith/)

> [Most super PACs are a money-laundering operation that exists solely to enrich the members or its founders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-cernovich/most-super-pacs-are-a-money-laundering-operation-that-exists-solely/)

[Mike Cernovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-cernovich/)

> [By law, super PACs are required to disclose their donors. There are groups that have never had to disclose their donors, non-profits such as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-a-smith/by-law-super-pacs-are-required-to-disclose-their-donors-there-are/)

[Bradley A. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-a-smith/)

> [There were 14,000 people at the rally for the president in Ohio. There were another 8,000 people in Virginia. If all 22,000 of those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austan-goolsbee/there-were-14-000-people-at-the-rally-for-the-president-in-ohio-there/)

[Austan Goolsbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austan-goolsbee/)

> [I'm not backed by the super PACs and the big corporations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-messam/i-m-not-backed-by-the-super-pacs-and-the-big-corporations/)

[Wayne Messam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-messam/)

> [Few developments in campaigning have been as vilified and misunderstood as independent expenditure PACs, or, as they are colloquially known, super PACs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-a-smith/few-developments-in-campaigning-have-been-as-vilified-and/)

[Bradley A. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-a-smith/)

> [Super PACs and a corrupt campaign finance system are destroying American democracy. We're proud that we have received four million individual contributions, more than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-sanders/super-pacs-and-a-corrupt-campaign-finance-system-are-destroying/)

[Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-sanders/)

> [With super PACs, we've seen voter turnout go up; interest in elections rise; and the number of competitive races increase. The campaigns of 2010…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-a-smith/with-super-pacs-we-ve-seen-voter-turnout-go-up-interest-in-elections/)

[Bradley A. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-a-smith/)

> [To all the worryworts out there who said super PACs were going to lead to a cabal of billionaires secretly buying democracy: wrong! They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-colbert/to-all-the-worryworts-out-there-who-said-super-pacs-were-going-to/)

[Stephen Colbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-colbert/)

> [Politics has certainly changed a lot in an era of micro-targeting, Super PACs, and Twitter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-melber/politics-has-certainly-changed-a-lot-in-an-era-of-micro-targeting/)

[Ari Melber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-melber/)

> [The super PACs have brought an element of fear into the equation. The fact that they can bring this money into the campaign, basically…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-sarbanes/the-super-pacs-have-brought-an-element-of-fear-into-the-equation-the/)

[John Sarbanes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-sarbanes/)

## More by Jon Ossoff

> [What we need is a bipartisan commitment to improving the laws on the books, to lower premiums, to improve access and improve quality of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-ossoff/what-we-need-is-a-bipartisan-commitment-to-improving-the-laws-on-the/)

[Jon Ossoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-ossoff/)

> [My job is to make the case that I'll do the best job possible representing the people of Georgia's Sixth District, and what they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-ossoff/my-job-is-to-make-the-case-that-i-ll-do-the-best-job-possible/)

[Jon Ossoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-ossoff/)

> [I identify as a Georgian who wants to do right by Georgia.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-ossoff/i-identify-as-a-georgian-who-wants-to-do-right-by-georgia/)

[Jon Ossoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-ossoff/)

> [We can't let Donald Trump put us at risk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-ossoff/we-can-t-let-donald-trump-put-us-at-risk/)

[Jon Ossoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-ossoff/)

> [Voting rights are constitutional rights.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-ossoff/voting-rights-are-constitutional-rights/)

[Jon Ossoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-ossoff/)

> [Folks across the spectrum wants more efficient management of their tax dollars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-ossoff/folks-across-the-spectrum-wants-more-efficient-management-of-their/)

[Jon Ossoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-ossoff/)

> [At the structural level, when the primary is all that matters, the incentives change for politicians. And, when you can earn media coverage with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-ossoff/at-the-structural-level-when-the-primary-is-all-that-matters-the/)

[Jon Ossoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-ossoff/)

> [News flash: The federal government is not the most efficient institution in the world. Taxpayers know that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-ossoff/news-flash-the-federal-government-is-not-the-most-efficient/)

[Jon Ossoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-ossoff/)

> [I made it clear that I can run a positive campaign and do it better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-ossoff/i-made-it-clear-that-i-can-run-a-positive-campaign-and-do-it-better/)

[Jon Ossoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-ossoff/)

> [I want to see ISIS destroyed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-ossoff/i-want-to-see-isis-destroyed/)

[Jon Ossoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-ossoff/)

> [As a national security aid, I worked with our military to strengthen our national defense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-ossoff/as-a-national-security-aid-i-worked-with-our-military-to-strengthen/)

[Jon Ossoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-ossoff/)

> [One of the rules of running for Congress is no matter where you go, you speak like you're speaking to the whole district.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-ossoff/one-of-the-rules-of-running-for-congress-is-no-matter-where-you-go/)

[Jon Ossoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-ossoff/)

> [I think we need a lot less ideology around health care.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-ossoff/i-think-we-need-a-lot-less-ideology-around-health-care/)

[Jon Ossoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-ossoff/)

> [I held top-secret security clearance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-ossoff/i-held-top-secret-security-clearance/)

[Jon Ossoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-ossoff/)

> [I'll tell you where I stand on the issues, and then I'll let the pundits decide how to label me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-ossoff/i-ll-tell-you-where-i-stand-on-the-issues-and-then-i-ll-let-the/)

[Jon Ossoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-ossoff/)

[Explore all 37 Jon Ossoff quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-ossoff/)

## More Computers quotes

> [I don't understand why we're all connected wirelessly via a little machine that goes in our pocket, to everybody in the world, and you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-m-chu/i-don-t-understand-why-we-re-all-connected-wirelessly-via-a-little/)

[Jon M. Chu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-m-chu/)

> [“Probably it goes without saying, but time machine guys don't get a lot of action. Had a one night stand with something cute a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-yu/probably-it-goes-without-saying-but-time-machine-guys-don-t-get-a-lot/)

[Charles Yu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-yu/)

> [The time that one gains cannot be accumulated in a storehouse; it is contradictory to want to save up existence, which, the fact is,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-de-beauvoir/the-time-that-one-gains-cannot-be-accumulated-in-a-storehouse-it-is/)

[Simone de Beauvoir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-de-beauvoir/)

> [Issac:"I dislike living in a world without Augustus Waters." Computer: "I don't understand-" Issac: "Me neither. Pause](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/issac-i-dislike-living-in-a-world-without-augustus-waters-computer-i/)

[John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/)

> [“Note found in the patron suggestion box: "You have SIGNS up near the computers that say BE QUIET, but people don't be quiet. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-sheridan/note-found-in-the-patron-suggestion-box-you-have-signs-up-near-the/)

[Gina Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-sheridan/)

> [“You weren't born to be a cog in the giant industrial machine. You were trained to become a cog. There's an alternative available to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/you-weren-t-born-to-be-a-cog-in-the-giant-industrial-machine-you-were/)

[Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/)

> [If you stood me in a costume next to a computer graphic of the same-looking character, I think there would be a difference. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warwick-davis/if-you-stood-me-in-a-costume-next-to-a-computer-graphic-of-the-same/)

[Warwick Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warwick-davis/)

> [The corporate state is an immensely powerful machine, ordered, legalistic, rational, yet utterly out of human control, wholly and perfectly indifferent to any human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-a-reich/the-corporate-state-is-an-immensely-powerful-machine-ordered/)

[Charles A. Reich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-a-reich/)

> [The display is the computer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-hsun-huang/the-display-is-the-computer/)

[Jen-Hsun Huang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-hsun-huang/)

> [The popular mind often pictures gigantic flying machines speeding across the Atlantic carrying innumerable passengers in a way analogous to our modern steam ships.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-henry-pickering/the-popular-mind-often-pictures-gigantic-flying-machines-speeding/)

[William Henry Pickering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-henry-pickering/)

> [“Alan Turing proposed the Turing Test: a computer is intelligent if you can't tell it from a human when you talk with it. No…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cjs-hayward/alan-turing-proposed-the-turing-test-a-computer-is-intelligent-if-you/)

[CJS Hayward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cjs-hayward/)

> [Computers can be taught that certain tune or certain chords changes will sound pleasant together, but I don't think it's going to reach a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bonobo/computers-can-be-taught-that-certain-tune-or-certain-chords-changes/)

[Bonobo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bonobo/)

> [Can you imagine any better example of divine creative accomplishment that the consummate flying machine that is a bird? The skeleton, very flexible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-murchie/can-you-imagine-any-better-example-of-divine-creative-accomplishment/)

[Guy Murchie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-murchie/)

> [“According to this model, human beings are, at least in one aspect, sensation-receiving machines; and although our receptory apparatus is competent to select and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cruce-stark/according-to-this-model-human-beings-are-at-least-in-one-aspect/)

[Cruce Stark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cruce-stark/)

> [As in any machine, all the wires must be connected to the mains through one main wire. In the same way, you all must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nirmala-srivastava/as-in-any-machine-all-the-wires-must-be-connected-to-the-mains/)

[Nirmala Srivastava](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nirmala-srivastava/)

[Browse all 9,389 Computers quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computers/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Grass-roots politics, linking small-dollar fundraising to massive local volunteer organization, showed that it can rival the power of a right-wing machine comprising super PACs backed by entrenched interests and mega-donors.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Jon Ossoff"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-ossoff/grass-roots-politics-linking-small-dollar-fundraising-to-massive/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Computers"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-ossoff/grass-roots-politics-linking-small-dollar-fundraising-to-massive/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eea/jon-ossoff-17178_computers_grass-roots-politics-linking-small-dolla_2272056.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eea/jon-ossoff-17178_computers_grass-roots-politics-linking-small-dolla_2272056.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eea/jon-ossoff-17178_computers_grass-roots-politics-linking-small-dolla_2272056.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Grass-roots politics, linking small-dollar fundraising to massive local volunteer organization, showed that…” — Jon Ossoff",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Jon Ossoff",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-ossoff/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Grass-roots politics, linking small-dollar fundraising to...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-ossoff/grass-roots-politics-linking-small-dollar-fundraising-to-massive/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-ossoff/grass-roots-politics-linking-small-dollar-fundraising-to-massive/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
