ActBlue, which was started in 2004, has enabled contributors to donate over $106 million to Democratic candidates across the United States. With a "median contribution of only fifty dollars," ActBlue has successfully been able to translate grassroots political passion into practical financial boons for Democratic candidates.
ActBlue Infrastructure - A Grassroots Power Base
ActBlue provides applications with which individual users can create donation streams for particular candidates. This allows donors to not only give immediately to a Democratic candidate, but creates the capacity for individual donors to invite others to join them in giving, thus turning donors into fundraisers. It is this element---the creation of communal fundraising initiatives by donors---which has helped ActBlue become a fundraising force for Democrats.
An example of this can be found with Representative Alan Grayson of Florida, who came under Republican fire for saying the following on September 29, 2009: "If you get sick, America, the Republican health care plan is this: Die quickly. That's right. The Republicans want you to die quickly if you get sick."
With demands that he apologize streaming in from Republicans, Grayson defended his position in numerous venues, including Daily Kos. Within 48 hours, ActBlue had raised over $10,000 from Daily Kos readers and $100,000 overall from more than 3,000 individual donors via a number of donation groups started by individuals and Democratic groups.
ActBlue's Impact on the Political Landscape
While one must be careful not to overstate the impact ActBlue's online organizational capabilities have had on the political landscape, there is no denying that the funneling of grassroots money to candidates in real time has widened the pool of viable political candidates. As the organization explains:
ActBlue lowers the barriers of entry for political races in three ways. First, ActBlue provides online fundraising technologies to all Democratic candidates, without hassle or setup fees. Second, by building new grassroots power bases, ActBlue creates new sources of early money. Third, and most critically, support on ActBlue serves as a key validator of campaign viability in front of the media and institutions. By lowering barriers to entry, ActBlue is changing who enters the race, and ultimately creating a more democratic Democratic Party.
Political Activists Take Note
ActBlue (and online grassroots organizing in general) has given a more potent voice to political activists and Democrats at large who must compete for leverage against multi-national corporations and large special interests. While the playing field is by no means level, ActBlue has undeniably increased the risk politicians take in ignoring the will of the vocal masses, particularly when those masses back up their collective voice with cold, hard cash.
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