Allen West saying to Obama what Romney should be saying to Obama

Rep. Allen West (R-FL) is now calling for Obama to release the Fast and Furious documents that have been subpoenaed by Congress in response to the campaign's demand for Romney to release multiple years of tax returns. This is such a blatantly obvious response to Obama's tactics that it makes Romney look politically weak not to do so. Thank goodness West is out there doing it for him (somebody has to do it).

Via The Hill:

Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.) set high stakes in an offered “deal” with President Obama on Friday.

Obama’s campaign isn’t backing down on requests to see Mitt Romney’s tax returns — on Friday, campaign manager Jim Messina offered to stop asking if he releases five years' worth — but the freshman Florida congressman had a counteroffer for Obama.

“Show us your sealed college records and Operation Fast and Furious White House memos, and we will all show you our tax returns,” West wrote on his Facebook page Friday.

The Hill goes on to say this is not new, that Trump has called on Obama to release his college transcripts. The problem is that demanding the release of the Fast and Furious documents is a much more salient argument because it goes to the very heart of many of the Obama campaign's claims about what Romney is guilty of doing / not doing.

The collective charges against Romney represent the penultimate example of projection.

Regular readers to this blog know that I have been calling on Romney to hit back at the Obama campaign by demanding Obama release the Fast and Furious documents. Romney has had countless opportunities to do so.

1. When Obama granted amnesty to illegals and attempted to portray himself as someone who cared for the welfare of Mexicans, Romney should have pointed to Fast and Furious, an operation that led to the deaths of hundreds of Mexicans.
2. When David Axelrod compared Mitt Romney to Richard Nixon for being too secretive, Romney should have pointed to the fact that Obama more closely mirrors Nixon by asserting Executive Privilege to prevent Congressionally subpoenaed documents from being released.
3. When the Obama campaign raised cain about when Romney left Bain and said that Romney might be a 'felon', Romney should have pointed to Fast and Furious. If anything is felonious, it's that operation, which included the involvement of officials at the highest levels of Obama's Justice Department.
4. When an Obama Super PAC ad implied that Mitt Romney is responsible for the death of a woman who got cancer, Romney should have brought up Fast and Furious, an operation that the Obama administration is ultimately responsible for. Hundreds of people are dead as a direct result of it, including Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry.
5. When the Obama campaign demands that Romney release his tax returns, Romney should demand that Obama release the documents over Fast and Furious that he asserted Executive Privilege over as Eric Holder was being found in both criminal and civil contempt of Congress.

If you're in the camp of those who believe Romney needs to fight, harping on Obama's actions in response to his Attorney General being held in criminal and civil contempt of Congress - bipartisan in both cases - going after the president over Fast and Furious is a no-brainer.

West shouldn't be saying what Romney should be saying; Romney should.

Video: Bob Beckel tells Romney who he should tap as VP

Yesterday, Bob Beckel told Mitt Romney who the Republican nominee should select as his running mate but he didn't do it in so many words; he did so in how he reacted to the words of Allen West. After Eric Bolling played a clip of Allen West comparing out of control entitlements to modern day "slavery", Beckel went off in a case of 'thou doth protest too much'.

Just like in 2008, the left will always object most emphatically to those whom they fear the most. The left didn't fear John McCain because they knew he'd play nice and that they could take advantage of it. They DID fear Sarah Palin, which is why she was attacked like no other vice presidential candidate in U.S. history.

Calling Allen West a 'blowhard' and telling him to 'shut up' demonstrates that Beckel views the retired Lt. Col. in much the same way that he views Sarah Palin.

Via Mediaite:

Confirmed: Obama lied in 2008 about not being Socialist Party member

Well, it appears that Rep. Allen West (R-FL) may have made a critical omission when he said that between 78-81 Democratic Congressmen are communists; he should have included President Barack Obama. The Democratic Socialists of America caucus (DSA) actually identified 70 members of Congress in 2009 who are socialists / communists. To be fair, until now, the American people had to take Obama at his word when he said in 2008 that he was NOT a member of the Socialist New Party.

National Review's Stanley Kurtz now has proven Barack Obama was a registered Socialist Party member:

On the evening of January 11, 1996, while Mitt Romney was in the final years of his run as the head of Bain Capital, Barack Obama formally joined the New Party, which was deeply hostile to the mainstream of the Democratic party and even to American capitalism. In 2008, candidate Obama deceived the American public about his potentially damaging tie to this third party. The issue remains as fresh as today’s headlines, as Romney argues that Obama is trying to move the United States toward European-style social democracy, which was precisely the New Party’s goal.

In late October 2008, when I wrote here at National Review Online that Obama had been a member of the New Party, his campaign sharply denied it, calling my claim a “crackpot smear.” Fight the Smears, an official Obama-campaign website, staunchly maintained that “Barack has been a member of only one political party, the Democratic Party.” I rebutted this, but the debate was never taken up by the mainstream press.

Recently obtained evidence from the updated records of Illinois ACORN at the Wisconsin Historical Society now definitively establishes that Obama was a member of the New Party. He also signed a “contract” promising to publicly support and associate himself with the New Party while in office.

Kurtz even posted an excerpt from a copy of the minutes from that 1996 meeting. It says:

Barack Obama, candidate for State Senate in the 13th Legislative District, gave a statement to the membership and answered questions. He signed the New Party “Candidate Contract” and requested an endorsement from the New Party. He also joined the New Party.

This demonstrably proves that the Obama administration does in fact demonize and smear opponents who  make credible and truthful claims against it that are damaging. This should naturally lend more credibility to those who claim to be victims of these tactics.

As a socialist, Barack Obama necessarily sought the rise of communism, according to a standard established by Discover the Networks, which states in part:

Marxist doctrine holds that just as society evolved from feudalism to capitalism, it will inexorably progress still further to socialism and eventually communism. Communists consider socialism to be an intermediary step between capitalism (out of which socialism is said to grow) and communism. That is, communism (whose motto is “From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs”) is deemed a further development, or “higher stage,” of socialism (whose motto is “From each according to his ability, to each according to his deeds”). Communism, in other words, is viewed as the more “perfect” of two systems that both advocate public ownership of the means of production, centralized economic planning, and the widespread redistribution of wealth.

By this standard, Barack Obama is a stealth Communist. After all, as a child, he was mentored by a member of the Communist Party USA (CPUSA), Frank Marshall Davis. Then again, people who point this out are typically the target of demonization and smears.

Bill Clinton recently mocked Allen West for the congressman's outing of Communists in Congress. Again, this is evidence that there is truth to West's claims, in light of what has now been proven by Kurtz about Obama.

Clinton lied under oath so what are the odds this was a lie too?

Slam dunk.



h/t Breitbart

That Lame 60 Minutes piece on Fethullah Gulen missed something else too

If you watched the 60 Minutes piece last week on Turkish Imam Fethullah Gulen, you know how lame it was. There was only a cursory mention of why people are so concerned and the report concluded that there was nothing to be alarmed about. If you haven't yet seen it, take a look; it's bad:



There was another aspect to the story that 'Leafblower Leslie' didn't even look into and it has to do with the connections of a sitting U.S. Congressman Bob Filner (D-CA) to the Gulenist movement. If you believe Leslie, that's no big deal either. If you know the truth about Gulen, it's a very big deal.

This is cross-posted at Shoebat.com

The Case of Democratic Congressman Bob Filner and the Gulenist movement

This entry is a separate follow-up to this post from last week. In particular, it focuses on the ties of Democratic Congressman Bob Filner (CA-51) - who is currently running for mayor of San Diego - to the Fethullah Gulen movement as well as the degree to which he is beholden to that movement. The 60 Minutes piece by 'Leafblower' Leslie didn't hit on this disturbing connection either.

First of all, Bob Filner is one of 70 Congressmen who was registered with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) Caucus in 2009.

Earlier this month, the San Diego Reader reported on Filner's trip to Turkey in 2010, which was paid for by a group known as the Pacifica Institute, an entity with extremely close ties to the Gulenist movement. The Reader also reported that Filner took another trip courtesy of Pacifica in 2011 that totaled $3700 according to Filner's filing.

In 2009, Pacifica sponsored the Gulen Conference at USC in Los Angeles.



There are countless examples of Filner's ties to Gulenist-connected groups, to include his appearance at and participation in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Turkish American Alliance upon returning from his Pacifica-sponsored trip. Yes, Pacifica is listed as a member organization of the TAA. Ok, so Gulenist-connected groups have bought influence with a member of the
Democratic Socialists of America
communist caucus, which further validates Rep. Allen West's concerns.



How about some more background on Filner? As a Democrat who is a member of the DSA, would his father's communist leanings be relevant? According to the Pittsburgh Press in 1942, Joseph Filner was secretary of the Communist Party USA (CPUSA) in Pittsburgh, PA. Even the New York Times wrote in 1990 that the elder Filner sold Soviet products in the United States for 35 years.

So the son of a leader in the CPUSA is a
Socialist
Communist Democrat who is connected with and has ties to Gulenist groups.

That would mean that Communist leftists are working with Islamists. Really? That is a shocker!



Joe McCarthy's legacy seems to be aging much better than what the communist left - to include the liberal media - would have us believe. Speaking of the liberal media, 'Leafblower Leslie' didn't cover any of this in her 60 Minutes report on Gulen.

But she did get to ride a leaf blower-powered hovercraft.



Big h/t to Donna G for this post.

Is Romney's Florida Spokesman redistricting Allen West out of Existence?

If this is true, the Tea Party may have an issue to take national. Florida state representative Tim Weatherford (R) is a Florida spokesman for the Romney campaign. According to the Shark Tank, he has confirmed that Rep. Allen West (R) may be a victim of redistricting.

One of Governor Mitt Romney’s spokesmen was Florida Representative Will Weatherford, and during the course of his remarks in the “Spin Room”, he shed a very dim light on the ongoing redistricting process in the Florida Legislature. Over the past several weeks, many Republicans have voiced their disappointment towards the Republican legislature after the release of the preliminary redistricting maps. Much of the ire concerns the proposed boundaries of Congressman Allen West’s 22nd Congressional District that would be redrawn to include far more registered Democrats.

William Jacobson at Legal Insurrection seems to think this is a foregone conclusion:

A website, SaveAllenWest, had been set up, but it appears to be too late.

One of the rising stars of the Tea Party is about to be sacrificed by the Republican establishment in Florida, led by someone spinning for Mitt Romney.

Don’t say you weren’t warned.

Folks, this is establishment level arrogance on display. The Tea Party is being slapped in the face because one of its members - West - isn't towing the establishment line. There is a way for the Tea Party to have the last laugh, however.

Though West hasn't officially endorsed Gingrich, he has been defending the former Speaker against establishment attacks recently. Gingrich has also said he would consider West when selecting a running mate. West hinted that he would be interested.

If a scenario plays out where Lt. Col. Allen West is redistricted out of a job, it might be the perfect opportunity for Newt to launch a counter-attack by naming the Tea Party favorite as his running mate.

One of the downsides to a presidential candidate selecting a running mate from Congress is that, well, you lose that candidate's vote in Congress. That's one of the best arguments against the eventual nominee selecting Florida Senator Marco Rubio. If Gingrich overcomes the odds and wins the nomination, West could be much more appealing in terms of him being out of a job anyway. The payback factor would be nice too.

Having someone as Vice President with West's military background could be a perfect fit.

Anyway, here is video of Weatherford.

Video: Allen West calls out Media for being Cowards

If you've ever been frustrated by so-called conservative politicians who refuse to go on offense, this might make you feel better. Rep. Col. Allen West chooses a unique approach here; he rejects the premise that the media supports Obama and instead accuses them of being afraid.

Gotta love it.



h/t CNS News

Video: Rep. Allen West Suggests Obama 'Complicit' in Fast and Furious if Holder Stays

As the number of Congressmen who are calling for the resignation of Attorney General Eric Holder steadily grows - latest count is 43 - so does the pressure on Obama. At a joint press conference intended to express this sentiment, Rep. Allen West even invoked Obama's name when calling for the resignation of Holder. West suggested that if Obama doesn't force Holder out, the president may likely be 'complicit.'



h/t Sipsey Street

Video: Rep. Allen West Goes After Ron Paul

Rep. Lt. Col. Allen West (R-FL) has a long way to go if he wants to win back the Tea Party after his debt ceiling vote but clips like these will help. Rep. Ron Paul is a candidate who understands domestic policy but is out to lunch on foreign policy. During the August 11th debate, Paul said he wasn't concerned about Iran getting nuclear weapons. West, having been in the military and overseas, understands the threat by leaps and bounds better than Paul does. Notice how he explains that the Saudis are angry with the Obama administration's handling of the Arab spring in Egypt. These are extremely important realities that Paul doesn't seem to care about or even understand. Notice that West refuses to utter Paul's name but it's obvious who he was referring to.

Via Shark Tank:

Rep. Allen West Calls DNC Chairwoman 'Vile,' 'Despicable'

DNC Chairman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz unwittingly stoked the Lt. Col. Allen West hornet nest when she referred to him on the House floor after he had left. In response to West's support of the Cut, Cap, and Balance resolution, Schultz accused West of supporting a plan that would increase costs to Medicare recipients. Once word of Schultz's smear tactics got back to West, he fired off a scathing email to the DNC Chair, calling her 'vile,' 'despicable,' and 'unprofessional.' He also threw in something about her not being a 'lady.'

Here is the email via POLITICO:

From: Z112 West, Allen
Sent: Tuesday, July 19, 2011 04:48 PM
To: Wasserman Schultz, Debbie
Cc: McCarthy, Kevin; Blyth, Jonathan; Pelosi, Nancy; Cantor, Eric
Subject: Unprofessional and Inappropriate Sophomoric Behavior from Wasserman-Schultz

Look, Debbie, I understand that after I departed the House floor you directed your floor speech comments directly towards me. Let me make myself perfectly clear, you want a personal fight, I am happy to oblige. You are the most vile, unprofessional ,and despicable member of the US House of Representatives. If you have something to say to me, stop being a coward and say it to my face, otherwise, shut the heck up. Focus on your own congressional district!

I am bringing your actions today to our Majority Leader and Majority Whip and from this time forward, understand that I shall defend myself forthright against your heinous characterless behavior……which dates back to the disgusting protest you ordered at my campaign hqs, October 2010 in Deerfield Beach.

You have proven repeatedly that you are not a Lady, therefore, shall not be afforded due respect from me!

Steadfast and Loyal

Congressman Allen B West (R-FL)

Note the difference in leadership style between Boehner and West. One cries while the other fights back.

h/t Weasel Zippers

Video: Chicago - Inspired Executive Order

I know that Obama's lies are too numerous to count but the one I'd like to refer to in setting up this clip is when he said, 'I am not an ideologue.' Currently in the works is an Executive Order that will require anyone seeking a government contract to report who they've given money to. In short, what the EO says is: If you've given money to entities we've identified as enemies of this administration, you will not get the contract. Such a tactic has 'Chicago politics' written all over it. This video features House members Rep. Jack Kingston (R-GA) and Rep. Todd Rokita (R-IN) explaining why this cannot be permitted.

Via VS:



Here is a video from last month in which Rep. Allen West (R-FL) took an Obama bureaucrat named 'Gordon' to the proverbial woodshed over the very same issue. For Gordon, these five minutes probably felt like five hours.

Video: Rep. Allen West on Obama: 'I Can't Stand the Guy'

Donald Trump gave Republicans the template. The Tea Party and conservative voters want them to stop hiding behind mealy-mouth rhetoric when it comes to Obama. They want candidates to go on offense. It was reflected in Trump's fleeting - albeit mildly shocking - flirtation with being at the top of the polls. Some candidates ignored the template - see Tim Pawlenty - while others just didn't have the star power to get noticed. Rep. Allen West (R-FL) is a freshman but he certainly knows how to go on offense with Barack Obama.



h/t Weasel Zippers

Video: Out of Work Air America Talk Show Host Heckles Rep. Allen West

The good news is that the more the left's dander is raised by Allen West, the more exposure he will get. The more exposure he gets, the more people will see that he could be the right man at the right time to lead this nation beginning in 2012. He's got the courage to fight like Donald Trump but he's also got the combat experience and the conservative bonafides Trump does not have. When West finally does become a household name, look out. He's well on his way, too, with moments like this.

Former Air America talk show host Nicole Sandler began heckling West at a Town Hall and was escorted outside. Then, she got belligerent and ended up in handcuffs. As she was being arrested, she was boasting about the entire thing being caught on video. Unbeknownst to her, the video makes her look like she deserved to be arrested. Getting in a cop's face and yelling at him tends to do that. A look at the video shows the cop acted with composure and was preventing the situation from escalating. Sandler had every opportunity to avoid the cuffs but pushed the envelope until she got there.

Amidst all that, it's obvious that West is unshakeable.



h/t The Blaze

Video: Rep. Allen West Invokes Leonidas, Sparta

If you've seen the movie 300, this video of Rep. Lt. Col. Allen West (R-FL) will take on added significance. While speaking at a Women Impacting the Nation (WIN) on April 19th, West made multiple reference to not only Sparta's most historic warrior but to the strength of Spartan women, who proudly took responsibility for raising Spartan men. In the context of today's seemingly inevitable collision between the Islamic and western worlds, the west in general and the United States in particular has a huge advantage when it comes to women.

If you're up for some inspiration, just watch.



Part 2:



That should put you in the mood for THIS.

h/t Weasel Zippers

Video: Rep. Lt. Col. Allen West Hits Another Home Run

The star of Lt. Col. Allen West is rising very quickly, more so after being sworn in - yes, that's a slap at Scott Brown - and he continues to endear himself to the Tea Party. Republicans scoff at the notion that West might be electable in 2012 as president; they're probably right but it's based on a false premise that he doesn't have the experience required. Then again, how many presidential candidates have battlefield experience?

West has been in the military for decades and in these times, the next president of the United States needs to have that kind of experience, frankly.

The next best thing would be West's selection as a running mate. Newt Gingrich has already hinted at the possibility. Such a selection would most assuredly do for the Republican presidential campaign in 2012 what Sarah Palin did for McCain in 2008.

Here's another in a long line of examples proving that Allen West 'gets it.'

Via The Blaze

Did Obama Admit he thinks Tea Party Racist?

We certainly saw signs that Barack Obama resented the Tea Party when he mocked them as people who were 'waving tea bags around,' or when he delivered a response to the group's pleas that government spending was out of control by saying, 'you'd think they'd be saying thank you.' Now, however, courtesy of a newly released book by Kenneth T. Walsh we learn that Obama's contempt for the Tea Party is based on a view that it is racist.

Via U.S. News & World Report:

...Obama, in his most candid moments, acknowledged that race was still a problem. In May 2010, he told guests at a private White House dinner that race was probably a key component in the rising opposition to his presidency from conservatives, especially right-wing activists in the anti-incumbent "Tea Party" movement that was then surging across the country. Many middle-class and working-class whites felt aggrieved and resentful that the federal government was helping other groups, including bankers, automakers, irresponsible people who had defaulted on their mortgages, and the poor, but wasn't helping them nearly enough, he said.

A guest suggested that when Tea Party activists said they wanted to "take back" their country, their real motivation was to stir up anger and anxiety at having a black president, and Obama didn't dispute the idea. He agreed that there was a "subterranean agenda" in the anti-Obama movement—a racially biased one—that was unfortunate. But he sadly conceded that there was little he could do about it.

It's one thing for the likes of Al Sharpton to hold this view; we've come to expect it but the President of the United States holding it is quite another thing.

It's very simple to understand. The Tea Party arose in direct response to the exponential growth of the federal government. Period. Obama has been contributing to that growth more than any previous president. Calling it racist is simply a way to avoid accountability and play the victim.

Shameful behavior from a president.

Someone needs to ask Barack Obama this question: If the Tea Party is so racist, how come it's in love with Lt. Col. Allen West?

Read it all.

Video: Allen West Slams CAIR Executive Director at Town Hall

If Lt. Col. Allen West keeps this up, he's going to wake up and find himself in the White House one day. At a Town Hall, CAIR Executive Director Nezar Hamze attempted to confront West and failed miserably. The entire video is chock full of classic quotes but the one at the very end is what every politician who cares about this country should take note of because the Muslim groups attempt to use it all the time. Hamze plays the victim and accuses West of attacking Islam. In response, West informs the CAIR Director that he was on the battle field and defended the freedoms of Muslims and then tells him to 'go home.'

West is a true leader. Period.



h/t The Blaze

Lt. Col. Allen West Responds to Request for Apology to Islam

Newly elected Rep. Lt. Col. Allen West (R-FL) recently said that Muslim Congressman Keith Ellison (D-MN) represented the 'antithesis of the principles upon which this country was established' (video below). This apparently got the dander up of some non-Islamic religious leaders who probably sport those nifty 'coexist' bumper stickers on their cars. In the letter to West, the alleged national religious leaders seemed to take West's comments a bit further than what he said and used their own interpretation of what he meant as the basis for attempting to chastise him.

Here is part of the explanation given for demanding an apology:

...your subsequent statement that Representative Keith Ellison, one of your colleagues in the House of Representatives, is the “antithesis of the principles on which this country was established” because he is Muslim, shows a frightening lack of understanding for these values.

You will note that West did not even mention Islam when talking about Ellison's religion. Here is the short clip that prompted the original letter from the Interfaith apologists.



West has apparently decided to tell the coexist extremists to go pound sand with a letter of his own. It will be interesting to see if this is the final word on the matter because it should be. West clarifies that he didn't say Ellison represented the antithesis of America's principles because he is Muslim but because of his ties to CAIR. This is the money quote courtesy of Florida Independent:

“My comments in regards to my colleague, Representative Keith Ellison, are not about his Islamic faith, but about his continued support of CAIR.”

At this point the Coexisties have two options. They can either drop it (best option) or they can decide to double down by defending CAIR (worst option). We'll see if they want to be martyrs for a group that wants them under Sharia law.

Here is a copy of the letter West sent to the gaggle of religious leaders who felt he owed Islam an apology:


Letter From Allen West -

h/t Weasel Zippers

Rep. Lt. Col. Allen West (R) vs. Rep. Muslim Keith Ellison (D)

There is a battle brewing between two black congressmen. One is a Ret. Lt. Colonel who has been extremely critical of Islam. The other is a Democrat who happens to be a Muslim. This is a debate we should all welcome because it pits the U.S. Constitution against Shariah Law. Both are supposed to be the Supreme Law of the land in their respective political structures.

Via Afro National News:

Tea-Party backed Congressman Allen West, R.-Fla., has stirred a bees nest with negative comments about Islam. West, appearing on the “Shalom Show,” told producer Richard Peritz that Islam was the “antithesis” of America’s founding principles.

At the outset of the 11-minute interview, Peritz asked West how he was going to deal with members of Congress he disagreed with, especially Rep. Keith Ellison, D.-Minn., who is a Muslim.

“Well I think it’s most important that I stand upon the principles [of the] people that elected me to go to Washington, D.C., and represent them on Capitol Hill,” West responded. “So that when you run into someone that is counter, or someone that really does represent the antithesis of the principles upon which this country was established, you’ve got to be able to defeat them intellectually in debate and discourse, and you just have to be able to challenge each and every one of their assertions very wisely and very forthright.”

Said Ellison in response...

“Contrary to the views expressed by Congressman West, I work to represent the highest ideals of our great nation – ideals like freedom of worship and respect for all faiths, equal protection under the law as well as a civil and open public discourse,” Ellison said.

Again and again, if Shariah Law is supposed to be the supreme law of the land, Islam's existence is NOT a first amendment issue but an Article VI issue.

h/t Weasel Zippers

Rep. Lt. Col. Allen West Rips Flying Palestinian Flag

These are the kinds of things that often fly under the radar but once given sunlight, are so obviously and blatantly egregious that no one should find them acceptable. The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) has apparently been flying its flag outside its Washington, D.C. offices. Thanks, once again, go to new Rep. Lt. Col. Allen West for pointing out this affront. The first question should be why on earth is the PLO even allowed in this country but the second question is just as obvious. Why are they allowed to fly their flag?

Via Sun-Sentinel:

The office of U.S. Rep. Allen West, R-Plantation, says the freshman congressman is publicly condemning the Palestine Liberation Organization, or PLO, for raising its flag outside its offices in the nation's capital.

"The raising of this flag is an attempt to legitimize an organization with a known history of terrorist actions," West said, in a written news release.

"By allowing this flag to be flown, the United States is extending a diplomatic right that we refrain from offering to even our own allies, like Taiwan. This action is a diplomatic slap in the face of our greatest of allies, Israel."

Not only does this put the PLO on its heels but it puts many of the Jewish liberal Democrats in congress on defense as well.

h/t Weasel Zippers

LEADER FOUND IN CONGRESS!

New U.S. Rep. from Florida's 22nd District, Lt. Col. Allen West has developed quite the reputation for speaking his mind but he is going on offense in the aftermath of the Liberal onslaught on the Tea Party by politicizing the Safeway massacre. While many conservatives point to the tactics of the left, West demonstrates leadership by saying he will not tone down his rhetoric.

Via the Palm Beach Post:

U.S. Rep. Allen West, R-Plantation, this morning criticized “political opportunism” in the wake of Saturday’s shooting of U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., and said he has no plans to tone down his own “stronger language.”

A little later in the article...

“One of the concerns I do have is the political opportunism that has come out of this. That’s kind of deplorable and unconscionable what some people are doing. This is not the time to start looking for grandstanding and things of that nature,” West said on his way into a West Boca Chamber of Commerce breakfast at Boca Lago Country Club.

Asked if he had any regrets about his choice of words in the past, West said, “No I don’t, because I think when you look at the president saying don’t bring a knife to a gun fight and the fact that the president talked about if the Republicans were to win in the midterms we’re going to have hand-to-hand combat.”

He also said a blogger in Broward County had once said West should be skinned alive, so “I think there are some things that both sides need to be concerned about.”

West, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel, has said his references to “bayonets” and military imagery are metaphorical — and he has no plans to stop using them.

Unless conservatives like West go on offense, the left will be able to politicize this tragedy to the point of giving political correctness a quantum leap.

West is dead-on target (yes, that was intentional).

h/t Weasel Zippers