Notorious Support: The America First Committee and the Personalization of Policy

In pursuit of resources, most social movements attempt to recruit as many supporters as possible. Supporters translate into power, both financially and in providing bodies for collec tive action. Yet, adherents may have characteristics that can be used by opponents to typify and undercut the messages that the movement intends. Movements are thus faced with what Jasper (2004: 8) speaks of as an “extension dilemma, " tied to whether a movement chooses to have open or restricted boundaries. A trade-off exists between size and control over its public face. The reputation of a movement can taint its goals.