Rallying behind OWS, the left finds its mojo - As Romney’s star rises, conservatives in sullen mood.

[jefferson_dem]

Rallying behind Wall Street protests, the left finds its mojo
By Peter Schroeder - 10/17/11 05:15 AM ET

The Occupy Wall Street protests have energized liberals in Congress and all but silenced the left’s criticism of President Obama.

Liberals who have felt scorned and overlooked by the White House say they are rejuvenated by the protests launched from Zuccotti Park in Lower Manhattan, and hope that they provide Obama and liberal causes with new impetus and vigor.

“For those of us that have been taking those positions for a long time, it is a confidence booster, and I think that makes us a little more assertive,” said Rep. Raul Grijalva (R-Ariz.), co-chairman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC).

Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.), who has fiercely criticized the White House in the past for not pursuing immigration reform, said: “I think the president’s come a long way. I’m delighted to work with him.”

The comments are a remarkable turnaround from earlier this year, when Gutierrez and Grijalva were among the liberals on Capitol Hill most frustrated with Obama.

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http://thehill.com/homenews/news/187835-left-finds-its-mojo

As Mitt Romney’s star keeps rising, a sullen mood envelops conservatives
By Josh Lederman and Alicia M. Cohn - 10/17/11 05:15 AM ET

Pundits and political professionals seem to be increasingly confident that former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney will be the Republican Party’s presidential nominee next year — but conservative skeptics are still not reconciled to that scenario.

Their suspicion of Romney remains strong, for well-known reasons — in short, his shifts of position on social issues and the healthcare reform package he enacted in Massachusetts — and they are insistent that he can yet be vanquished in his bid to become the GOP’s standard-bearer.

If that does not happen, they say, they will reluctantly vote for him over President Obama. But their real focus will shift from the national race to contests closer to home.

“If Romney gets the nomination, I will pay attention to my local races, and he can worry about his own race with the money he’s got,” said Ryan Rhodes, a prominent Tea Party activist in Iowa.

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http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/gop-primaries/187829-as-romneys-star-keeps-rising-sullen-mood-envelops-the-right

[Ian David]

1. Why is a Republican in the Progressive Caucus? n/t

[polmaven]

2. Lol!

Looks like The Hill has been taking lessons from Faux News on "labeling"....Congressman Grijalva is FAR from being a (R)!!

[Zoeisright]

3. Any time someone says "conservatives in sullen mood"

the planet rejoices.