Truthiness -
Grassroots or Astroturf?

Our post yesterday on Elk Grove mayoral candidates pursuit of small donations has resulted in some parlor discussion on what actually ...



Our post yesterday on Elk Grove mayoral candidates pursuit of small donations has resulted in some parlor discussion on what actually constitutes a grassroots campaign.

As a starting point for this discussion, the Washington Post's politics glossary defines grass roots as "Political involvement that stems from members of a community rather than from established political organizations."

A more generic definition of grassroots from Dictionary.com as defined for this discussion says "the common or ordinary people, especially as contrasted with the leadership or elite of a political party, social organization, etc.; the rank and file."

Grassroots is one of the terms that politicians that like to use to portray their campaign operations to say, "Yes, we are here for you, Mr. and Ms. Average."

But what makes for an average voter? Does your average campaign supporter in today's economic environment have the ability to make a donation greater than say $200. Does offering a candidate your verbal endorsement make for a grassroots campaign? Is a politician's campaign a grassroots operation that receives the majority of its funding from major donors?

As with most things it depends on your perspective.

For the purposes of this discussion of what constitutes a small donor, we will use the New York Times well-regarded 538 blog's benchmark of $200 or less as being a small donor. Furthermore, does a campaign that receives the majority of money from major donors, lets say donations greater than $1,000 really constitute a campaign of "the common or ordinary people, especially as contrasted with the leadership or elite of a political party, social organization" be considered grassroots?

To explore this, lets look at the most recent financial filings available for Elk Grove mayoral candidates for the six months ending June 30. At that time only three of the six candidates had entered the race so our analysis will be confined to Jerry Braxmeyer, Gary Davis and Greg Higley.

Jerry Braxmeyer - by the numbers

Donations Received - $14,321
Total dollar amount of donations less than $200 - $1,649
Percentage of donations less than $200 - 11 percent
Number of donors who donated $200 or less - 13
Number of donations greater than $1,000 - 4
Total dollar amount of donations greater than $1,000 - $7,500
Percentage of donations greater than $1,000 - 15 percent
Endorsements from current or past elected or appointed officials - 1 (per website)

Gary Davis - by the numbers

Donations received - $59,494
Total dollar amount of donations less than $200 - $2,425
Percentage of donations (in dollars) less than $200 - 4 percent
Number of donors who donated $200 or less - 23
Number of donations greater than $1,000 - 27
Total dollar amount of donations greater than $1,000 - $47,750
Percentage of donations greater than $1,000 - 80 percent
Endorsements from current or past elected officials or appointed officials - 23 (per website)

Greg Higley - by the numbers
Donations received - $844
Total dollar amount of donations less than $200 - $345
Percentage of donations (in dollars) less than $200 - 40 percent
Number of donors who donated $200 or less - 7
Number of donations greater than $1,000 - 0
Total dollar amount of donations greater than $1,000 - $0
Percentage of donations greater than $1,000 - 0 percent
Endorsements from current or past elected officials or appointed officials - 1 (per website)

(Braxmeyer and Higley figures do not include any personal loans.)

So as you mull over the financial's of the candidates, keep in mind the various definitions presented about the term grassroots. Do any of these campaigns "stem[s] from members of a community rather than from established political organizations" and are the majority of the donations from big or large donors.

In the final analysis, when any campaign, political and otherwise, proclaims they are "grassroots" follow the money to see where it leads and draw your own conclusions. We suppose any time a well organized campaign that wants to be of the people, they will engage in some truthiness and portray themselves as grassroots when it is astroturf.

But hey, whoever really expected truth in political advertising? .

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5 comments

Anonymous said...

Well now, Dan Gougherty now thinks he is Stephen Colbert writing about “truthiness.”

If you have paid any attention to grassroots efforts here in Elk Grove, the real leaders such as Gary Davis started his grassroots campaign back in 2004; two years before he was even elected to the city council. Any how? By educating, advocating for and organizing neighborhood leaders and working with businesses leaders, large and small. He had no money, no committee, but he had something of greater value, people.

If some of those who have the money now support him monetarily because they can, then that is their right. But what you didn’t account for in your article, is that grassroots supporter who cannot afford to give even $5.00; but give something far more valuable.

And by the looks the Davis campaign office, tonight and any night, grassroots efforts requires immense citizen activism and involvement, even from those who don’t show up on his 460s. They give of their time because they cannot give of their money.

So in reporting that “following the money” is the only indicator of whether or not a candidate has a true a grassroots campaign is “untruthiness." Why? Because, ultimately, politics and elections, along with strong grassroots campaigns, are decided by the people who show up and are working every night after work and on the weekends. And showing up they are to elect Gary Davis for Mayor!

fast food city said...

Nice write-up Dan.

Anonymous said...

Ignore the naysayer Mr. G. Great article and much as I expected.

Debbie said...

Touchy, touchy aren't we. I don't know if there was any mention of Gary's impressive volunteer core.

Yes, he does have a large cadre of volunteers but does having this staff of volunteers mean it is a grassroots operation?

Au contraire! this actually means Gary has build an impressive machine and political machines are designed to roll over anybody or any organization that gets in its way. Not some sort of organic "grassroots" operation.

Even Dan Lungren has dedicated volunteers and to the best of my knowledge at least he is not calling his volunteers a grassroots operation.

Anonymous said...

Debby, I don't believe it's being "touchy" as you've stated. Many of us are trying to get as much information about each candidate before casting our vote. When a blog casts "opinion" as news it does a disservice to all. And just think, we get to do this all over again in two years.

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