Cantor Backs Off Calling Protesters a 'Mob'

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor backed away yesterday from earlier comments that the Occupy Wall Street protesters were "mobs," expressing some sympathy for the movement and people's frustrations, reports Bloomberg. “There is a growing frustration out there across this country, and it’s warranted,” acknowledged Cantor on Fox News Sunday. “Too many people are out of work.”

Cantor had said on Oct. 7 that he was worried about “the growing mobs occupying Wall Street and the other cities." Since then, he has tried to downplay those comments, attempting instead to emphasize Washington's response to people's frustrations. “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 situation,” he said. (More Eric Cantor stories.)