--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you think back to the fight over…" description: "\"If you think back to the fight over drones, when I was proud to be standing shoulder to shoulder with Rand Paul filibustering for 13 hours, that was vi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/318/ted-cruz-487_american_if-you-think-back-to-the-fight-over-dron_2737131.png" --- # If you think back to the fight over drones, when I was… ![“If you think back to the fight over drones, when I was proud to be standing shoulder to shoulder with Rand Paul filibustering for 13 hours, that was viewed as a fringe issue, as a quixotic issue, and yet millions of Americans engaged, spoke up, got online.” quote by Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/318/ted-cruz-487_american_if-you-think-back-to-the-fight-over-dron_2737131.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/318/ted-cruz-487_american_if-you-think-back-to-the-fight-over-dron_2737131.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/318/ted-cruz-487_american_if-you-think-back-to-the-fight-over-dron_2737131.png) > “If you think back to the fight over drones, when I was proud to be standing shoulder to shoulder with Rand Paul filibustering for 13 hours, that was viewed as a fringe issue, as a quixotic issue, and yet millions of Americans engaged, spoke up, got online.” [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Highlights how seemingly marginal issues can gain massive public engagement and influence policy when championed persistently. **In simple terms:** Small causes can become major movements with enough advocacy. Key Takeaway Persist and mobilize supporters. Themes activism political strategy public engagement grassroots movements Mood inspirational cautious Type political motivational When to use this quote - campaign planning - social media outreach - public speaking - policy advocacy Key Concepts media dynamics political polarization civic participation Questions to Reflect On - What strategies ensure fringe issues are responsibly amplified? - How to balance passion with pragmatic policy goals? A Different Perspective Risk of over‑emphasizing fringe topics at expense of broader consensus. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fight/) [Fringe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fringe/) [Proud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proud/) ## Related quotes > [The anger on the left - I've never seen anything like it. I mean, they're right now opposing everything. Democrats in the Senate are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/the-anger-on-the-left-i-ve-never-seen-anything-like-it-i-mean-they-re/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [I am glad to welcome my friend Rand Paul into the 2016 GOP primary. Rand is a good friend, and we have worked side…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/i-am-glad-to-welcome-my-friend-rand-paul-into-the-2016-gop-primary/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [I'm a big fan of Rand Paul; he and I are good friends. I don't agree with him on foreign policy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/i-m-a-big-fan-of-rand-paul-he-and-i-are-good-friends-i-don-t-agree/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [I'll tell you, in my life I've never once have seen a Hispanic panhandler, because in our community, it would be viewed as shameful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/i-ll-tell-you-in-my-life-i-ve-never-once-have-seen-a-hispanic/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [It used to be in the Senate that if you were filibustering, you stood up. There was a physical dimension to it, that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-udall/it-used-to-be-in-the-senate-that-if-you-were-filibustering-you-stood/) [Tom Udall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-udall/) > [ I believe \[filibustering judicial nominees\] is in violation of the Constitution ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saxby-chambliss/i-believe-filibustering-judicial-nominees-is-in-violation-of-the/) [Saxby Chambliss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saxby-chambliss/) > [“Stop filibustering, and start love-mustering.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/stop-filibustering-and-start-love-mustering/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [“The Republican Party has used objection, obstruction, and filibustering not only to block the necessary processes of government but also in order to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-lofgren/the-republican-party-has-used-objection-obstruction-and-filibustering/) [Mike Lofgren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-lofgren/) > [Please don't ask me to do that which I've just said I'm not going to do, because you're burning up time. The meter is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-h-w-bush/please-don-t-ask-me-to-do-that-which-i-ve-just-said-i-m-not-going-to/) [George H. W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-h-w-bush/) > [“Our lives feel fuller when we can weave them into stories, even if not all the stories are true and even if we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-hull/our-lives-feel-fuller-when-we-can-weave-them-into-stories-even-if-not/) [Jonathan Hull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-hull/) > [I've got to say, I'm a Rand Paul fan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronan-farrow/i-ve-got-to-say-i-m-a-rand-paul-fan/) [Ronan Farrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronan-farrow/) > [We can work with anybody. I mean, we passed the 9/11 health bill with Tom Cotton. Most people would assume I wouldn't be able…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirsten-gillibrand/we-can-work-with-anybody-i-mean-we-passed-the-9-11-health-bill-with/) [Kirsten Gillibrand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirsten-gillibrand/) > [ Every time \[Rand Paul\] opens his mouth, it gets a little crazier. Today he angrily demanded that the liberal media stop quoting him in… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-maher/every-time-rand-paul-opens-his-mouth-it-gets-a-little-crazier-today/) [Bill Maher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-maher/) > [Rand Paul tried hard to upstage Donald Trump at the first debate, talking tough about his guns and his right not to register them.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-r-burch/rand-paul-tried-hard-to-upstage-donald-trump-at-the-first-debate/) [Michael R. Burch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-r-burch/) > [I'm closer to anybody who believes that we should lead not from behind, but from the front. Rand Paul is one step behind, leading…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-matthews/i-m-closer-to-anybody-who-believes-that-we-should-lead-not-from/) [Chris Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-matthews/) ## More by Ted Cruz > [I was born in Cuba. At the age of 14 years of age I was involved in a revolution. We were suffering from a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/i-was-born-in-cuba-at-the-age-of-14-years-of-age-i-was-involved-in-a/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [ Donald Trump has opened \[ politically correct enforcement\] up wide. He's made a very bold statement and he's backed it back just a little… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/donald-trump-has-opened-politically-correct-enforcement-up-wide-he-s/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [I get that the media wants us to play theater critics and critique every other proposal. What I'm focusing on are my own policy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/i-get-that-the-media-wants-us-to-play-theater-critics-and-critique/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [We need to remain a nation that doesn't just welcome but that celebrates legal immigrants who come here seeking to pursue the American Dream.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/we-need-to-remain-a-nation-that-doesn-t-just-welcome-but-that/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [Donald Trump threatened to file a defamation suit against me for running a TV ad that consisted only entirely of his own words on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/donald-trump-threatened-to-file-a-defamation-suit-against-me-for/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [The immigrant experience of all of us is what makes us Americans, because we value in our DNA liberty and opportunity above all else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/the-immigrant-experience-of-all-of-us-is-what-makes-us-americans/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [The First Amendment exists to protect our religious liberty--to ensure that all Americans are able to seek out worship God with all our hearts,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/the-first-amendment-exists-to-protect-our-religious-liberty-to-ensure/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [It is my hope that all of the Republicans who recognize that nominating a candidate who agrees with Hillary Clinton on a host of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/it-is-my-hope-that-all-of-the-republicans-who-recognize-that/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [The Senate Majority Leader has the unilateral ability to stand up and say, 'If you defy Congress, if you defy the Constitution, if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/the-senate-majority-leader-has-the-unilateral-ability-to-stand-up-and/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [You can't get to a balanced budget and begin to pay down debt and thus create jobs in this country if you don't have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/you-can-t-get-to-a-balanced-budget-and-begin-to-pay-down-debt-and/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [That's what actually caused me to run for office is, you know, my family story, the experience of growing up in a family where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/that-s-what-actually-caused-me-to-run-for-office-is-you-know-my/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [When you subpoena one pastor, you subpoena every pastor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/when-you-subpoena-one-pastor-you-subpoena-every-pastor/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [One of the things we've seen here is how easy it is for Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton to get distracted from dealing with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/one-of-the-things-we-ve-seen-here-is-how-easy-it-is-for-barack-obama/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [Imagine a legal immigration system that welcomes and celebrates those who come to achieve the American dream.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/imagine-a-legal-immigration-system-that-welcomes-and-celebrates-those/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [The court follows elite opinion, not public opinion. And Democratic leaders in Congress and Republican leaders in Congress follow elite opinion as well. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/the-court-follows-elite-opinion-not-public-opinion-and-democratic/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) [Explore all 523 Ted Cruz quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) ## More American quotes > [I wasn't attracted to American cinema, but I fell in love with Los Angeles the minute I arrived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-varda/i-wasn-t-attracted-to-american-cinema-but-i-fell-in-love-with-los/) [Agnes Varda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-varda/) > [William Maxwell's my favorite North American writer, I think. And an Irish writer who used to write for 'The New Yorker' called Maeve Brennan,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-munro/william-maxwell-s-my-favorite-north-american-writer-i-think-and-an/) [Alice Munro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-munro/) > [I have fallen in love with American names, the sharp names that never get fat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-vincent-benet/i-have-fallen-in-love-with-american-names-the-sharp-names-that-never/) [Stephen Vincent Benet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-vincent-benet/) > [I really like a lot of American country stuff, so my music has that influence, but I don't like to be set within a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jade-bird/i-really-like-a-lot-of-american-country-stuff-so-my-music-has-that/) [Jade Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jade-bird/) > [I certainly don't think that the heirs of the American Revolution were a particularly noble class.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-w-brands/i-certainly-don-t-think-that-the-heirs-of-the-american-revolution/) [H. W. Brands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-w-brands/) > [Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act in a tremendous investment to support millions of workers without a paycheck and behind on bills.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-auchincloss/congress-passed-the-american-rescue-plan-act-in-a-tremendous/) [Jake Auchincloss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-auchincloss/) > [Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy and employ almost half of the working population. Yet because of their size, they rarely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-lipinski/small-businesses-are-the-backbone-of-the-american-economy-and-employ/) [Dan Lipinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-lipinski/) > [Although I write in English, and despite the fact that I'm from America, I consider myself an Armenian writer. The words I use are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-saroyan/although-i-write-in-english-and-despite-the-fact-that-i-m-from/) [William Saroyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-saroyan/) > [When we first sold the Wallace and Gromit shorts to America, people suggested we get rid of the strange British accents and put clear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-park/when-we-first-sold-the-wallace-and-gromit-shorts-to-america-people/) [Nick Park](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-park/) > [Firefighters and rescue workers are American superheroes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerry-kennedy/firefighters-and-rescue-workers-are-american-superheroes/) [Kerry Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerry-kennedy/) > [France has not only built a bureaucratic barrier against American culture, it has constructed a notorious intellectual case against it as well. The French…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyler-cowen/france-has-not-only-built-a-bureaucratic-barrier-against-american/) [Tyler Cowen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyler-cowen/) > [New York and San Francisco are distinctly different. San Francisco is driving the American media, not New York. You have young, microwaved millionaires and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-whitlock/new-york-and-san-francisco-are-distinctly-different-san-francisco-is/) [Jason Whitlock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-whitlock/) > [Well look, CIA is an agency that has to collect intelligence, do operations. We have to take risks and it's important that we take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leon-panetta/well-look-cia-is-an-agency-that-has-to-collect-intelligence-do/) [Leon Panetta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leon-panetta/) > [Food as a hobby used to be an elite pastime, and it has become something that is totally ordinary for people of every background.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-goodyear/food-as-a-hobby-used-to-be-an-elite-pastime-and-it-has-become/) [Dana Goodyear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-goodyear/) > [It's important for American soldiers to be culturally sensitive when deployed in foreign countries. But it's just as important for the U.S. never to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-bauer/it-s-important-for-american-soldiers-to-be-culturally-sensitive-when/) [Gary Bauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-bauer/) Browse all 7,717 American quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If you think back to the fight over drones, when I was proud to be standing shoulder to shoulder with Rand Paul filibustering for 13 hours, that was viewed as a fringe issue, as a quixotic issue, and yet millions of Americans engaged, spoke up, got online.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ted Cruz" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/if-you-think-back-to-the-fight-over-drones-when-i-was-proud-to-be/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "American" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/if-you-think-back-to-the-fight-over-drones-when-i-was-proud-to-be/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/318/ted-cruz-487_american_if-you-think-back-to-the-fight-over-dron_2737131.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/318/ted-cruz-487_american_if-you-think-back-to-the-fight-over-dron_2737131.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/318/ted-cruz-487_american_if-you-think-back-to-the-fight-over-dron_2737131.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If you think back to the fight over drones, when I was proud to be standing shoulder to shoulder with Rand…” — Ted Cruz", "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": "Ted Cruz", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If you think back to the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/if-you-think-back-to-the-fight-over-drones-when-i-was-proud-to-be/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/if-you-think-back-to-the-fight-over-drones-when-i-was-proud-to-be/#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 } } ] } ```