Cantor backtracks: Protesters’ frustration ‘warranted’

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House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) did his best Sunday to appear on the side of protesters in the Occupy movement after recently calling them “growing mobs.”

“I, for one, am increasingly concerned about the growing mobs occupying Wall Street and the other cities across the country,” the Virginia Republican had told a conservative crowd at the Values Voter Summit last week.

But only a week later, Cantor wasn’t willing to double down on those remarks.

“Congressman, do you stand by that comment about mobs?” Fox News’ Chris Wallace asked.

“Chris, I think more important than my use of that word is that there is a growing frustration across this country and it’s warranted,” Cantor replied. “Too many people are out of work. But where I’m most concerned is, we have elected leaders in this town who, frankly, are joining in an effort to blame others rather than focusing on the policies that have brought about the current frustration.”

“I mean, when you hear some of the Democratic elected leaders joining in, blaming parts of our economy and society versus ‘Let’s take some of the credit or blame here in Washington.’ I mean, these are policies that they put into place. There’s a lot that can be done here in this town to turn the economy around and promote income mobility, not go in an excoriate some some who have been successful. We want success for everybody.”

Watch this video from Fox’s Fox News Sunday, broadcast Oct. 16, 2011.

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