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Go West!

By on 11.3.10 @ 6:08AM

A fighter credits the grassroots for his Florida victory.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Cheers went up throughout the night from hundreds of Republicans gathered here in the Marriott hotel ballroom as good news came in from throughout Florida and across the country.

Florida Republicans had lots to cheer about: Tea Party favorite Marco Rubio sailed to an easy win in the Senate race, Sandy Adams beat Suzanne Kosmas in the 24th District, Steve Southerland easily defeated Allen Boyd in the 2nd District and — a result that especially caused the crowd to whoop with glee — Dan Webster crushed the obnoxious Alan Grayson in the 8th District.

Most of all, the crowd cheered every time the TV showed a lead for the man whose triumph they came to celebrate: Retired Army Lt. Col. Allen West. Results were slow coming in and it was past 11 p.m. before the newly elected congressman took the stage to give his victory speech, and used it to issue a challenge.

“The president said not too long ago, that this [election] was about punishing his enemies. He also talked about how this would be about going into hand-to-hand combat. Well, I got to tell you something: If you want to pick a fight with a U.S. Army paratrooper, bring it on.”

West’s toughness is indisputable. In 2003, while serving with the 4th Infantry Division in Iraq’s Sunni Triangle, West conducted a gunpoint interrogation of a prisoner suspected of complicity in a terror plot against West’s unit. The prisoner confessed and the plot was foiled. However, Army brass disapproved of West’s methods and he was relieved of command. In a June 2008 interview, West said he had no regrets: “As a commander, your moral responsibility is to take care of your troops.”

West displayed similar toughness as a candidate. His 2008 campaign against Democrat Rep. Ron Klein was largely ignored by the National Republican Congressional Committee, but West resolved to try again and — with support of the Tea Party movement that emerged in early 2009 — became one of the NRCC’s superstars in this cycle, raising more than $5 million for his rematch with Klein.

Klein and the Democrats tried to use West’s fiery Tea Party speeches against him in TV ads. When that didn’t work, they accused him of complicity in criminal activity by a motorcycle gang, after West attended a biker rally and contributed to a biker magazine. “Allen West is a monthly contributor to Wheels on the Road, a monthly motorcycle print and online magazine that promotes the Outlaws motorcycle gang and denigrates women,” the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee said in a press release timed to coincide with a TV news segment by a local NBC affiliate.

West never backed down or apologized, and his tough stance inspired admiration from conservatives who had grown tired of seeing Republican run away from fights. In this year of the Tea Party uprising, other grassroots heroes came up short in hard-fought elections — including Marine Corps Reserve officer Sean Bielat, who took on Barney Frank — but West won, a victory that he insisted Tuesday night was not his alone.

“It is not, and never shall be, about me,” he told the cheering crowd here. “I go to Washington, D.C., to be your representative. I go to Washington, D.C., to be your voice… to protect your life, to protect your liberty, to protect your pursuit of happiness.… It is not my office. It is your office.”

About the Author

Robert Stacy McCain is co-author (with Lynn Vincent) of Donkey Cons: Sex, Crime, and Corruption in the Democratic Party (Nelson Current). He blogs at The Other McCain.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (80) |

Melvin| 11.3.10 @ 6:34AM

Now Congressman West steps into the arena, and for those elites parading around in their Romanesque finery, prepare to soil yourselves, because Allen doesn't play very nice.
"Congratulations, Lt. Col. if there was ever a time that you needed to watch your back, the time is now. The arena is filled with vipers and snakes from both parties. Take extreme care in hiring your staff, for there will be spies about, and trust no one, including those in your own party."

BHO| 11.3.10 @ 9:48AM

Ditto.

arlo price| 11.5.10 @ 1:38AM

And the racial demographic of that particular Congressional district is...................(drum roll, please................................................................................................... 93% Caucasian!!!!!!

As Cheech would say "WHAAAAAAAT?"

SpiralArchitect| 11.3.10 @ 1:47PM

Unfortunately I was unaware of either West nor Rubio until recently.

None the less I would like to see one of them as moving toward the presidential arena. Better would be to see both of them make the move!

FLItalia| 11.3.10 @ 7:17PM

I'd love to see them as running mates in 2016. Who should lead the ticket? ... Tough call.

Gerard| 11.4.10 @ 8:04AM

I'l rather see Allen West and Sarah palin ticket for president in 2012.. it's possible with G-d grace..
i'm an african from Congo who loves America but hates the way Bill Clinton destroy my country by initiated a war in 1996 backing Mr Kagame the murderer of central Africa..

mtgrant| 11.4.10 @ 7:48PM

I don't know this story - if our one-sided press reported it, which i doubt. we can learn from you and others who come from other lands and who cherish freedom

Quartermaster| 11.4.10 @ 11:18AM

I'd say especially from his own party. The DC GOP has some of the sorriest people that ever walked the earth and would like nothing better than making life hell for LTC West.

The party establishment would like us to fail.

mtgrant| 11.4.10 @ 7:44PM

amen! please, please choose your counselors and confidants wisely!!

apodoca| 11.3.10 @ 7:27AM

One change, Melvin: "especially those in your own party."

Yosemeti Sam| 11.3.10 @ 7:35AM

" ... "The president said not too long ago, that this [election] was about punishing his enemies. He also talked about how this would be about going into hand-to-hand combat. Well, I got to tell you something: If you want to pick a fight with a U.S. Army paratrooper, bring it on."...."

Hew Haw - an Army paratrooper versus a street organizer with Kerry as his towel boy.

Salute! - to the Army paratrooper!

Stephanie| 11.3.10 @ 11:05AM

But Kerry was in Vietnam :-)

Tex Expatriate| 11.3.10 @ 12:04PM

If you will study Kerry's record of service, you will see that he was a coward and liar whose two minor scratches and one self-inflicted cut got him three unearned Purple Hearts, which he used to demand his return to the states.

JmsA| 11.3.10 @ 2:00PM

Kerry was also in Cambodia, on a special mission no less--so he said.

Radioman777| 11.3.10 @ 4:52PM

Yeah, it was very hush, hush. He was Agent Orange...

jrjr| 11.3.10 @ 5:21PM

Radio -- now that was funny!

njoriole| 11.3.10 @ 5:20PM

He has the hat to this day. He has the hat!

FLItalia| 11.3.10 @ 7:20PM

Kerry is a lying, liberal loser. I dispised him as much as I do Obama. I'm shocked by how Democrats lie and cheat to get what they want. I guess I shouldn't be.

Jim Pardo| 11.3.10 @ 11:53PM

Kerry is a joke... He spent something like 4 months in Vietnam, had 3 underserved purple hearts and went home... Just like Al Gore who wpent 4 months in Vietnam and went home. I spent a whole tour of 1 year in Vietnam... these politicians were just punching a "political ticket" for a resume..... They are both A$$ Holes.....

Ret. Marine| 11.3.10 @ 7:51AM

I was pleased this morning to read of Lt. Col. West's ( Ret.) victory over the party of rats. It takes a real man of integrity and character to know the difference between the right way to respect our Flag over the need it to show my patriotism to convince all else of the fraud that is our current thug-n-thief. What a relief to see a veteran with honor and respect for these United States of America as a Rep of my former home turf. Thank you Floridians, you have made a wise choice. Congrat's to Lt Col. West. Carry on Sir.

InLineFour| 11.3.10 @ 11:49AM

Thought that Rbt S. McCain's story title was a pun - - being in FL, virtually all grass root support from outside his district had to come from 'west' of West. Proud to have contributed to Lt Col West's campaign, from TX.

DVG93| 11.3.10 @ 8:07AM

Keep on truckin'

potkas7| 11.3.10 @ 8:16AM

If St. Thomas Aquinas was still with us, he'd use Col. West's victory and the losses of scumbags Alan Grayson and Charlie Crist as his Sixth Proof of the existence of God.

SpiralArchitect | 11.3.10 @ 1:51PM

In contrast, had B.O. not redirected NASA's focus to ( don't make me say it!) then they could have asserted signs of intelligent life on Earth.
;)

dustoffmom| 11.3.10 @ 8:30AM

There were few race results of last night that brought a bigger smile to my face than to see this one. To a man I have come to respect most highly........HUAH Sir!

Mike| 11.3.10 @ 9:02AM

All the way and then some!

Mike Johnston
SFC USA (RET)

cobra327| 11.3.10 @ 4:12PM

LTC (Ret) West is truly "Above the Rest"

Melanie| 11.3.10 @ 9:25AM

I left Florida many years ago now, and I have very little money, but I gave this man a little bit of money for his campaign chest.

WE ARE ALL SO BLESSED TO HAVE HIM IN OUR CONGRESS!

loulou| 11.3.10 @ 11:50AM

Yes, we are blessed. I'm so proud of Col. West and Floridians.

Col. West is quality--on par with Marco Rubio and the very best of conservatives. He has a great future ahead of him.

PCC| 11.3.10 @ 9:40AM

All indications are that he is a good man and deserving of our support. Congratulations, Colonel, and Godspeed.

Eric Cartman| 11.3.10 @ 9:55AM

I hope the little money I donated to Col. West's campaign helped in his victory. Hand Salute, Sir! Now please go up there and pull the Republican's heads out of their chair anchors.

2Anglico| 11.3.10 @ 10:02AM

I salute you Col. West! Being from the west coast of Florida, I know how tough a win it was. Improvise, adapt, overcome-those are lessons you learned well.

Ken (Old Texican)| 11.3.10 @ 10:58AM

WELL DONE, Colonel!

Thank you for your past service, and we pray for you in your new service.
Lead on, Sir!

CalMark| 11.3.10 @ 11:13AM

One of the people I was REALLY rooting for.

He gives every indication as being as good as he seems. Go, (soon-to-be) Congressman (that has a nice ring to it) West!

Rurik| 11.3.10 @ 12:02PM

You forgot the best Allen West remark - that for his men he would march through hell carrying cans of gasoline.

When Allen West makes his fiery trek, there will be a lot of us ready to join his convoy also carrying gas; I volunteer for two cans' worth.

Megan Davis| 11.3.10 @ 2:09PM

Thank you for sharing that quote! I'm sure it'll be exciting.

FLItalia| 11.3.10 @ 7:25PM

Wow, that one choked me up, for real! You can't beat a TRUE military man (for the most part...John Kerry definitely excluded) for their patriotism.
God Bless Allen West.

Loadmaster| 11.3.10 @ 12:34PM

Congressman West and Congress Scott (SC) can now tell Maxine, Charley, Tom, Alcee and the entire CBC what they can do with their little club. But, I betcha they will not ask any of these young men to come join their club.

Doctor Right| 11.3.10 @ 12:51PM

Waitaminnit..??

Col. West is black.

I thought we Tea Partiers were racists...

Warrior | 11.3.10 @ 4:56PM

Of course we are all still racist to anyone left of center. Do they even get to swear him in before he is called an Uncle Tom?

FLItalia| 11.3.10 @ 7:27PM

All Leftist think about race first. We see him as a great person, military man, etc. They see his color first. Look how Obama always tries to divide by race, creed and color.

Sheila| 11.3.10 @ 1:34PM

Margie calls me a racist antisemite all the time, Doctor Right, but I'm one HBDer who was thrilled with Colonel West's victory. I wasn't celebrating too many victories last night (I was more concerned that certain people be defeated), but Colonel West is one of the few people I could support unconditionally.

Avidyananda| 11.3.10 @ 2:47PM

I'm old enough to remember segregation. But my little league coach--on a naval base--was a black man. I was in the army during the Vietnam era and served under black NCO's. I know good leadership when I see it and how to respect a man regardless of his color. I admire West and am glad he's out there serving the country in politics. I dislike Obama very much. It has nothing to do with race. Do you hear that MSNBC blindfolded imbeciles? We respect black people for reasons we respect any person. We detest people for their character and ideology, despite color. Hooray for Colonel West.

Turnditch| 11.3.10 @ 3:00PM

I also was keeping an eye on this race. It's hard to not respect a man that once said, “If it's about the lives of my men and their safety, I'd go through Hell with a gasoline can”.

Floridians replace a wacko-kook like Grayson with a conservative AND gets retired LTC Allen West to boot...wow!

jstwndring| 11.3.10 @ 3:03PM

"West's toughness is indisputable. In 2003, while serving with the 4th Infantry Division in Iraq's Sunni Triangle, West conducted a gunpoint interrogation of a prisoner suspected of complicity in a terror plot against West's unit."
----------------------------------------------------------
Notice who the Dims instinctively sympathise with in this type of scenario. Pricks.

jrjr| 11.3.10 @ 5:25PM

Is this guy Mitch Rapp in disguise?

Texas Mom 2012| 11.3.10 @ 3:07PM

Wow! Congrats to Col. West! I still believe that there is no better place to live free than Texas but after last night perhaps Florida is a close second!

jstwndring| 11.3.10 @ 3:15PM

"It is not, and never shall be, about me," he told the cheering crowd here. "I go to Washington, D.C., to be your representative. I go to Washington, D.C., to be your voice… to protect your life, to protect your liberty, to protect your pursuit of happiness.… It is not my office. It is your office."
-------------------------------------------------------------
This just makes me so happy to know that not only is this man a true patriot, but, that this quote of West's is so infuriating to Dims. :) I mean, only enemies of the Constitution, and haters of individual liberty and freedom could hate what he said there. Come on Dims, prove my point.

hardcard| 11.3.10 @ 3:29PM

Col. West I will pray for you. Thank You Sir !!!

Lee| 11.3.10 @ 3:37PM

I donated to Col West as well because he's a true leader that we the people need in Congress. Very few of his caliber seem to exist in this day and age. Congratulations on your win, sir. Now go to Congress and kick as*.

Stormzeye| 11.3.10 @ 4:21PM

I'm proud to have contributed to West's campaign and to have heard him speak at a TEA party candidates night. He appears to be upstanding and forthright. The best part of his story regarding his loss of command is that he turned himself in to his CO for interrogating the insurgent at the point of a gun. That's character!

Kenny| 11.3.10 @ 4:47PM

Nice to see a war criminal in the House. Just like W and Cheney.

Warrior | 11.3.10 @ 5:08PM

W was never in the House and Cheney had 5 draft deferrments and never served in the military you moron. Also, if I remember correctly, W served only in the Guard and never saw combat action. I only wish you anti-American, left wing tools would do this face to face instead of blogging like a useless idiot.

Charie| 11.4.10 @ 2:40PM

Kenny, I know if we explained to you for weeks all you don't know, you still would know nothing. I've heard this for a decade now and that's all I hear are Lib talking points. Why don't you just go back on the meds and be happy for the rest of your life? The big boys and girls are all on the front lines to protect you from all the boogeymen in your life. Behind their backs you can call them names, but do keep up that Prozac.

Radegunda| 11.4.10 @ 5:08PM

West's "crime" was to make a really bad guy scared for a second so that West could save the men under his command. He knew that going against an absurd ROE would endanger his career, but he valued the lives of his men above his own selfish interests.

It's quite revealing that you think he should have sacrificed his men and saved his career. That's the Dem-left priority, obviously.

Colin Foy| 11.5.10 @ 6:52PM

Kenny, you are a chicken sh-t!
Talk about war criminals?
How about the innocent 2000 + people killed in Kosovo by Clinton when he had to get Monica Lewinsky, impeachment , Juanita Broderick rape charges and Chinese military intelligence types walking out of Los Alamos with our nuclear secrets out of the news and off the front page.
Another stupid, graceless act we supposedly did to help muslims in the Balkans. Clinton covered his as- in lawyerly fashion by putting our Air Force planes and pilots under U N control. Some good that one did us, but at least Slick Willy got his library built.
There was also something about a gas pipeline that was built in the region, but hey, thats the kind of thing only a republican or conservative would do... right?

JC| 11.3.10 @ 5:20PM

Col. West is an American Hero. I was proud to be a donor to his campaign and his victory was one of the biggest Republican wins last night.

JC| 11.3.10 @ 5:20PM

Col. West is an American Hero. I was proud to be a donor to his campaign and his victory was one of the biggest Republican wins last night.

jrjr| 11.3.10 @ 5:30PM

I didn't know your were there fighting for the seat, Col West - but I know now. I certainly will add you my list of feeble contributions the next go-around. Please be sure to follow the founders Yellow Brick Road for we Americans.

Nick| 11.3.10 @ 5:44PM

Congratulations to Allen West!

Take no prisoners!

GKPAL| 11.3.10 @ 7:09PM

Congratulations Col. West! When Fox News projected your win, I jumped off my seat with joy.

And for you Kenny, go back into your mice hole and stay there, you jerk.

allen breeden| 11.3.10 @ 7:37PM

Once Col. West is sworn in, what will the congessional black caucus's reaction to him be?

Jim Pardo| 11.3.10 @ 11:49PM

Col West I congratulate you... Thanks for your leadership in the U.S. Army.... I am a 25th Inf Div Tropic Lightning soldier from Vietnam and I support you 100%...

John F. Longo| 11.4.10 @ 1:18AM

Col. West,
I like so many other veterans am bursting with pride at having an ARMY warrior in the house.
I am one of the old guy vets (1st Cav RVN) and I'm 100% behind you Sir!

Fionnagh| 11.4.10 @ 1:34AM

This Washington State lady cried tears of joy. Parted with more cash for his campaign than for any other candidate, ever, in any race. Can't decide what the best part of his speech last night was - probably the line about bringing on the fight. And did you notice his ENTIRE speech was without notes, let alone a teleprompter?? ALL of his speeches have been that way. Can't wait to read the bills he will introduce as a congressman....

Spicy Joker| 11.4.10 @ 3:04AM

DeMint/West '12

jelly | 11.4.10 @ 3:07AM

You have got your point through significantly much better than I at any time could, thank you!…

Graeme Thompson | 11.4.10 @ 5:25AM

As a Brit living in Barcelona, Spain, I'd just like to say that since Lt Col Allen West (rtd) first came to my attention addressing a marine's question on the nature of the enemy we're facing, it has been clear to me that not only is he America's 'Great Black Hope' but the great black hope of the entire free world. I really hope this guy runs in 2012. The only way you can fight the left-wing hate machine and its mouthpiece most of the mainstream media is recognise naked evil when you come across it and look to kill it. This man does this. Colonel West sir, an american salute from a Brit.

JayDubIII| 11.4.10 @ 7:58AM

As a Nam vet I'm still pissed that freaking Dubya didn't even finish out his guard tour.

JayDubIII| 11.4.10 @ 8:04AM

Congrats to Col West, his supporters and contributors.

But I'm upset. They get a great man for the times and I get Congressman Cleaver from MO5. It just ain't' right.

Charie| 11.4.10 @ 2:50PM

JayD, did you help to put your selected candidate in office?

I followed Lt. Col. West as soon as I heard of his throwing his hat in the ring. Immediately the thought came to mind that he was the hero who fired the gun near a terrorist prisoner to make him talk. I thought it was an incredibly brave thing to do considering the state of the politically correct military now. I never had any idea he was black. But I knew he was brave so was happy at his choice to run for office. God bless you Lt. Col. West. We in Wisconsin are sending a couple of really good conservative congressmen to Washington so meet with them and you can all caucus together and get us out of this (dare I say) quagmire in which we're enmeshed.

Hooray! Wisconsin flipped totally red from dark blue!

al gayda| 11.4.10 @ 5:47PM

If we could get a 2012 ticket with Rubio and West could we call the dimocrats racist when they criticize them ?

Radegunda| 11.4.10 @ 6:02PM

I would be happier to call them flaming hypocrites. But you can be sure they'll say that West is a "race traitor" and "not authentically black."

mtgrant| 11.4.10 @ 7:51PM

shucks, i'm moving to Florida - people there have better sense than the half-wits where i abide - voted in an admitted Marxist over a good woman - Christine O'Donnell, and i'm talking about registered Repubs. fools. now we all have to pay for it. sheesh.

Nite| 11.4.10 @ 11:33PM

I moved to Fl. from TX. I was very impressed by Col. West and Marco Rubio. Shining examples of decent capable men who will become some of the shining stars in the Republican party. Col. West did everything he could to save his men and gave up his career. Sir I salute you and am glad you will have our backs in Congress. God speed.

JimC| 11.5.10 @ 5:11AM

I live in another state but followed Col. West's campaign after hearing his story. Being a old NamVet myself I am proud that he won and would bet that he would tell anyone that he was always proud of America. Congratulations Col. West and may success follow you for many more years.

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