U.S. Liberals Shed Frustration, Gear Up For Election Fight

By John Whitesides

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island | Sat Jun 9, 2012 12:21am IST

(Reuters) - After a gut punch in Wisconsin and frequent bouts of disappointment with President Barack Obama, liberal activists could be excused for a lack of enthusiasm about November's U.S. election.

But many of those attending Netroots Nation, a three-day gathering of grassroots progressives in Rhode Island, said the stark choices in the looming battle for control of the White House and Congress were all the motivation they need.

While liberals have frequently criticized Democrat Obama for being too quick to compromise and too slow to fight for their principles, those at the conference said it was time to focus on the stakes in his presidential race against Republican rival Mitt Romney.

"Most progressives are pretty savvy and focused on the future, and Mitt Romney is going to be very motivating for us," said Arshad Hasan, executive director of Democracy for America, the group founded by former Vermont Governor Howard Dean, whose failed 2004 presidential bid galvanized the left.

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http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/06/08/us-usa-campaign-liberals-idINBRE85715T20120608