ABSTRACT
This chapter examines two social movement organizations, or, what can more accurately be described as social movement communities. They are on opposite ends of the political spectrum: MoveOn org and the Tea Party. The chapter explores theoretically and conceptually thought about what constitutes a social movement in the digital age, which subsequently raises questions as to how to best theorize the tactics and strategies of nuanced groups. It is concerned with how online sharing of information and e-activism lead to mobilization on the ground, or the spillover effect. The chapter considers whether virtual activism replaces, complements, or has no effect on concrete forms of participation for social and political change. MoveOn's and the Tea Party's mobilization endeavors represent the growing symbiotic relationship between e-activism and local organizing, as they both work in the blogosphere as well as in real communities to impact institutional and extrainstitutional politics.
