Small checks fuel big role for tea party

Politico reports:

The tea party movement is energizing a base of small-dollar donors that is turning its grassroots fervor into financial sway in the Republican Party – borrowing from the online fundraising techniques perfected by its liberal rivals.

The GOP has a long history of collecting small checks through direct-mail pitches, but this new batch of donors who are giving largely online played a role in reshaping the Republican primary field by helping to topple establishment favorites. Their checks of $50, $25 or even smaller amounts have helped generate more than $20 million for three conservative PACs that are playing influential roles in the general election and are poised to do so again in 2012.

No word yet from George Soros or Nancy Pelosi on this one.