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Political Hay
Saturday Night, Live With the Colonel
Hillsborough County Republicans (heart) Allen West.
PLANT CITY, FLORIDA — Conservative South Florida Congressman Allen West, looking every inch the soldier he was for 22 years, knocked ‘em dead in this small city east of Tampa Saturday night.
The 400+ plus Republicans who gathered to break bread and listen to West’s sermon at the Arthur Boring Civic Center here were anything but bored. No one nodded off over the peach cobbler, even though coffee was not served.
West gave a stem-winder based on conservative values and principles and a call to action to save the republic. The gathered faithful loved it. They loved West. They love what he’s doing. They love the way he’s doing it.
Lefty Fort Lauderdale Congresswoman Debbie Wasserperson-Schultz (D-Karate Chop), au the contraire, couldn’t have gotten a single vote from this crowd for Miss Congeniality.
As even people in Kuala Lumpur must know by now, Wasserperson-Schultz (pardon the slight rearrangement of the name, but feminist etiquette must be observed, as Debbie herself would insist), Chairwomanperson of the Democratic National Committee, made some inflammatory remarks about West on the House Floor last week. She said in effect that West and conservatives who supported Cut, Cap, and Balance were stupid and venal and were not only snatching food from the mouths of widows and orphans, but were shoving them out of doctor’s waiting rooms as well. They’re doing this, our Debbie helpfully explained, so that they can direct more money to their rich oil and corporate patrons, just like those selfish and heartless conservatives always do.
Of course, this abusive nonsense was nothing new for DWS. She’s been making inflammatory and insulting remarks about conservatives for years — with an uptick in frequency and intensity since she was made a Democratic poo-bah — and paying no price for it. But this time she picked on the wrong conservative. West is a counter-puncher, and fired off an email to Wasserperson-Schultz that contains strong language, including the words “vile,” “despicable,” and “sophomoric.” He also demonstrated a firm grasp of the obvious by asserting that Wasserperson-Schultz is “no lady.” (Why anyone should take umbrage at this is a puzzle, as geek-branch feminists like Wasserperson-Schultz consider the title “lady” an insult.)
Well now, we can’t have this. Under the current Vagina-Monologues rules of engagement, when a leftist woman rains down inaccurate and insulting abuse on conservatives, the only proper and allowable response is, “Yes, dear.” But West, a former combat infantryman who has faced much tougher and more dangerous opponents than DWS, isn’t playing this mug’s game. The left-stream media are shocked, shocked that West isn’t rolling over and apologizing, and have circled their pathetic wagons around their heroine.
Columnists and pundits are on OT, and will be dining out on this inelegant little dust-up for quite a while. One of the more amusing non-sequiturs to come out of this one is that West is being labeled “sexist” and a “misogynist” for daring to call out our Debbie. For alert TAS readers who may be confused by this, I’ve looked up “misogynist” in the “Liberal’s Political Dictionary.” It means disagreeing with a liberal woman.
But this unedifying episode was not what West talked about Saturday, though clearly many of the folks in attendance would have enjoyed it had he done so. West confined his remarks to the critical challenges facing America, which West described as “the most exceptional country in the history of mankind.” Thanks to the political left’s incontinent spending, their assaults on traditional American liberties, and their attempts to create a “social utopia” through ever-expanding government, “the light is starting to dim a little bit” on the shining city on a hill.
West called out President Obama and the U.S. Senate for not being serious about the country’s current debt crisis. He said it was “heinous” that the Senate would not even debate Cut, Cap, and Balance legislation passed by the House. West said it’s critical that we get our annual federal expenditures below 20 percent of GDP. It’s now at 24.4 percent and rising rapidly, on its way to 30-plus percent and banana-republic land at current levels of spending. After the current crisis is dealt with, West wants a balanced budget amendment to prevent us from marching back to the edge of the cliff.
“America is standing on the precipice with one leg dangling over the edge,” because of the current debt and spending crisis, West said.
West says there is something downright fishy about the leftists’ calls for “shared sacrifice” in the current debate. Shared sacrifice translated means raising taxes. Already, West said, the top one percent of taxpayers pay 32 percent of the nation’s income taxes, the top five pay more than half, the top 20 pay 86 percent. West pointed out that already 47 percent of American wage-earning households pay no income tax at all. West worries there may be a tipping point where the entitlement class could politically dominate the productive class.
West ticked off the well-known laundry list of ways the republic is in worse shape since Obama took office: the price of gas, the unemployment rate, home values, number of people on food stamps, the crushing debt, ever increasing regulations, et al. All this, West says, is “snuffing out the entrepreneurial spirit” that is the basis of America’s freedom and prosperity. In this atmosphere, West says he is not surprised that “entrepreneurs are not looking to invest.”
West said the political left in this country is succeeding in making America not only more socialist, but more secular as well. Contrary to the hopes, dreams, and fervent efforts of the political and cultural left, West says America is a Judeo-Christian nation and should remain one. We should not be ashamed of conservative values.
“There’s nothing wrong with believing that marriage is between one man and one woman,” he said. “There’s nothing wrong with trying to protect the life of the unborn.”
West didn’t just criticize Democrats. He pointed out that the national Republican Party lost its way for years. “The Republican Party has to regain its credibility,” the colonel said. “When Republicans had the presidency and both houses of Congress they did not do what the American people sent them there to do.”
All these things were what West’s audience came to hear. They were on their feet numerous times to cheer. They responded when West exhorted them to get out there and block and tackle during the next election cycle. Mixing and mingling after the services it was easy to encounter the sentiment that the Allen Wests of the world represent the hope and future of the Republican Party in Florida, not the squishy establishment types that Debbie Wasserperson-Shultz has so enjoyed working with for years.
About the Author
Larry Thornberry is a writer in Tampa.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (54) | Leave a comment
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k962| 7.25.11 @ 6:46AM
West represents what America used to be. Its slowly slipping away.
Pastor emeritus Nathan Bickel | 7.26.11 @ 1:12AM
I only wish that Allen West would grow some courage and challenge himself to trumpet Obama's unconstitutional bogus "presidency" and Obama's "birth certificate" forgery. Then, and only then, should voters take this person seriously......
Ken (Old Texican)| 7.25.11 @ 7:12AM
If the slackers and takers win one more election , "with political dominance"....the makers will have no choice but to sit down as long as we may, to yank the reins away from them financially.
A one week "vacation" would send a powerful message...and cash-flow kink to the government.
A one month vacation, would grind the tax receipts to a standstill.
That's tea in the harbour, folks.
mark James| 7.25.11 @ 10:46AM
Perfectly stated and 100% accurate, excellent!
J.C.Eaton| 7.25.11 @ 11:50AM
Ditto,a helping dollop of a couple hundred Col. Wests would make for a very satisfying Congress. Keep Shulz around for Whack-a-Mole duty.
Gary B| 7.25.11 @ 7:57AM
I said this before, but here's a guy who takes a gun to a gunfight. Wouldn't it be nice if other Republicans recognized how effective this is and follow suit?
As Colonel West said, the role of establishment RINOs all these yeas has been to fake opposition so their cronies can line up at the trough.
We're witnessing right now how effective the Tea Party is because Boehner would LOVE to compromise with Obama and raise taxes, but House freshmen are putting huge pressure on him. Can you say "primary?"
neanderthal| 7.25.11 @ 10:45AM
In Congressman West's case, he has literally taken guns to gunfights. I love this guy. Can't we draft him to run against Obama?
mark James| 7.25.11 @ 10:49AM
BINGO! I was broken hearted when he didn't run, but I can understand he might not have felt experienced enough with DC sewage yet. I say draft him for Veep. Most of those running need someone to help them with military concepts anyway.
Doug| 7.25.11 @ 8:45PM
Oh, please don't condemn the good colonel to VP. What a horrible way to terminate a rising political star!
canuck| 7.25.11 @ 8:07AM
I absolutely wish he would run against Nelson here for the Senate or alternatively, if Marco becomes the VP, he needs to run for that seat. If Jeb would run vs Nelson, things might begin to fall in place for Florida and more so for the country.
Mike Hawk| 7.25.11 @ 10:34AM
Do you have something against Col West that you would want his political career destroyed by making him VP. We need him in the House to Counter the Liberal Whackos like Blabbermouth Wasserwomyn-Shultz.
Chalkdust| 7.25.11 @ 2:12PM
Bullcrap! Jed Bush is worse in every way than his father and brother. A bigger RINO never existed.
grant1863| 7.25.11 @ 8:39AM
Larry, Do you mean national expenses instead of national debt of 24%?GDP because we are closer to 70% of GDP for the national debt but government spendings is around 24-25% and historically (later 20th century history only) has been at 20%.
PCC| 7.25.11 @ 9:13AM
Yes, he means federal spending.
Redstateboy| 7.25.11 @ 8:56AM
on FOX News Sunday - Geithner - kept repeating this economy is growing, going in the right direction but it's going to just take longer than they originally thought. We need More Allen West types to stand up and challenge Geithner-like assertions. The only people who could think this economy is heading in the right direction are either: A.) Welfarites who don't care - as long as they get that Check B.) Public sector union employees
TrueBlue| 7.25.11 @ 3:22PM
Actually you might be surprised how many public sector employees think things are headed in the wrong direction. Just remember that most unions, especially in the public sector, keep anyone out that isn't part of that union whether people like it or not. And since they contribute to the campaigns of people in the state government it's very difficult to do anything about. Just look what happened in Wisconsin. If you consider the number of people protesting, it wasn't even half of the number of public sector employees in the state, just the loudest and most violent.
simon templar| 7.25.11 @ 9:04AM
You will one day hear, " President West." I have no doubt about it.
Occam's Tool| 7.25.11 @ 10:46AM
Simon, my man, FROM YOUR MOUTH TO G-D's EARS. As on almost all things (I can't remember a disagreement I've had with you, but Paulbots monitor this site.), you are a Saint.
Inspector Clouseau| 7.25.11 @ 11:33AM
Monsieur, do you have a license for that SandMinkey ?
Occam's Tool| 7.25.11 @ 6:52PM
SandWolverine, Clouseau. No license because no collar ever stays on a throat ripper.
Inspector Clouseau| 7.25.11 @ 10:20PM
I shall let that pass, since you cannot possibly know whose leg it is that you are pushing.
Anonymity is a virtue. Every fool knows that. Anonymity's next to cleanliness and I don't have to tell you what that's next to.
You're a suspect, Occam's Toad.
Don't leave town
Margie| 7.26.11 @ 2:16AM
O.T:
Have you noticed how Clint/Tim* is actually able to type normally~sans the capitalization of each word as "Inspector Clouseau"?
He has taken many a name without pangs of conscience to try and destroy certain commentator's characters, including taking their own names and posting things they would not otherwise never say~ but only a very select few~ the ones who nail him.
Margie| 7.26.11 @ 2:18AM
You know what I mean, pardon. s/b things they otherwise never say.
KennesawJack| 7.25.11 @ 3:08PM
No doubts here, either. Can't wait to see how long it takes the good Reverends Jackson and Sharpton to lay the Uncle Tom thing on him.
Doug| 7.25.11 @ 8:51PM
But, but, but ... it's a known fact that conservatives are racists and despise blacks. How could we embrace a black man? Surely, if we hate Obama, then we must also hate West. Just as the liberals love and embrace the colonel. I think...
PCC| 7.25.11 @ 9:11AM
The most telling point in the article is how badly GW Bush and the GOP congress let down conservatives and, in the process, the entire country.
ConantheContrarian| 7.25.11 @ 9:28AM
Amen, amen, and amen, PCC. W spent us to the edge of Oblivion with his long, drawn-out wars and other RINO crap, and then Obama took us over the edge into the Abyss. May God help us.
glenny44| 7.25.11 @ 1:38PM
Can't disagree with some of your GWB sentiments BUT, in 2007, the budget deficit was $160 Billion. Today, and for the foreseeable future, the deficit will be 1600 BILLION.
In some ways, I miss GW. glenny
Anthony| 7.25.11 @ 9:37AM
This man is what America has been looking for for decades, and he's a good shot to boot!! Gary B. is right, if Obozo wants to take a gun to the fight, Col. West is our man!!!
What guts!!! What a steadfast commitment to the Constitution and America. This man takes no prisoners, literally. Col. West IS is anti-Obozo!!
Now all Col. West needs to do is send boxes of cigars to all the lefty congresswomen who called his calling out of DWS tanamount to a "hostile work enviornment", with the inscription, " With love from your favorite reprobate, the lefty male rogue, who can do anything to women I want to, with your tacit consent". Bill Clinton.
Doctor Right| 7.25.11 @ 9:50AM
The Left's position on black politicians and public figures has been crystal clear since the 1970's:
If you are black AND conservative, you are a threat to our power - so we will destroy you.
Unfortunately for the Libs, they've screwed with the wrong guy in Alan West. This guy has been in actual combat; do they think some obnoxious, big-mouthed Yenta from south Florida is going to scare him?
You're in over your head, Debbie...So keep flailing. Watching you go under will be almost as sweet as it was to watch your buddy Anthony in New York dig his own political grave.
The Liberal dominoes are starting to fall...
loulou| 7.25.11 @ 10:24AM
Shouldn't it be Wasserwomyn?
Wasserperson contains the word "son" and that's a no-no.
old white guy| 7.25.11 @ 10:37AM
everthing i have read about col west has been mostly positive. what would the race baiters do if americans elect a conservative black man as president? jessie jackson et al would be apoplectic.
mark James| 7.25.11 @ 10:57AM
And he would actually BE the first post racial American President since he would be elected for his abilities and strength not just because he looked white and talked white like the White Liberal did with Obama.
R E Malitz| 7.25.11 @ 11:09AM
Sir.
Rangers Lead the Way! We only have to follow.
Reagan Akbar!
Out. REM
Dominic| 7.25.11 @ 11:21AM
God Bless Col West!
Dominic| 7.25.11 @ 11:21AM
God Bless Col West!
Peter| 7.25.11 @ 11:33AM
Oh, how the Democrats must long for the glory days of the past, when all it took was an accusation by a white woman and a lynch mob could be counted upon to spring into action. Now it is more of an MSM "lynching" but you have to settle for what you can get.
cjmartel| 7.25.11 @ 11:37AM
WOW! A politician with scruples!! Mr. West is going to spoil us, he tells it like it is. If I had to, I would move to Florida to vote for this man, this is the type of man we need as president, not the current Community Organizer with his gang of anti-constitutional dim-wits.
tj| 7.25.11 @ 12:13PM
This says it for me!
tj| 7.25.11 @ 12:14PM
Oops for got http://allenwest2012.ning.com/.....o-westlink
cicero| 7.25.11 @ 1:45PM
Let's not get too far in front of ourselves. Every time a professed consertive makes a stump speech, the hoi poloi are ready to run him/her for the top spot. The real work is still in the trenches. Let's get control of the House and the Senate, and hold it with strong, conservative members for a while. A strong congress can trump even the most destructive President. Putting our best in the White House, while stripping Congress of seasoned and pricipled fighters gives up the steak for the cookies.
Son of Liberty| 7.25.11 @ 2:54PM
Assuming a Republican gains the Presidency in 2012 and holds it until 2020 wouldn't it be wonderful to see a West/Rubio or Rubio/West ticket in 2020? I would actually prefer one in 2012 but they won't run. However, what a combo to put up that would guarantee a preservation of our nation, our liberties and a return to economic and superpower dominance for decades beyond.
Ted| 7.25.11 @ 3:10PM
"West, a former combat infantryman..."
If memory serves, LTC West was an artilleryman. In Army parlance a cannon cocker. Arty guys tend to be smarter than the average bear (you have to be to put accurate fire where it needs to go). Looks like he's still putting accurate fire on the target.
Splash over. Splash out.
RetUSA1/75| 7.25.11 @ 3:55PM
Ted, I remember as a rookie jumper w/the 82d at Bragg, training in Area J. Listening to the 155's boom mile's away, 24/7, and a very short time later, listen to them rocket overhead to the impact zone. Whenever I slept, it was a comforting sound. My favorite was multiple boom's...............whump whump......whump whump whump. The arty boy's knew how to make a dance.
RetUSA1/75| 7.25.11 @ 3:31PM
If the election's were held today, I would vote for Colonel West today, tomorrow, and in the future. I'll carry your ruck anyday, Colonel!
MyGirlFriday| 7.25.11 @ 4:36PM
Colonel West's 2012 campaign needs our support. He needs to build his war chest against the left. Please send him any dollar amount you can. The DNC is working very hard to take him down in 2012.
RetUSA1/75| 7.25.11 @ 6:09PM
The good Colonel has a web site to donate for his presidential bid: allenwest2012.ning.com. So will I, too. Now, let's rock and roll. No slack for the slacker's.
Tina B| 7.25.11 @ 5:26PM
Will do.
Chrisiv| 7.25.11 @ 7:02PM
The RNC should collect funds to have Allan West and Mike lee, Michele Bachmann, visit as many colleges and tea-party gatherings as possible. This type of person ( military, common sense, patriot, traditional and one of us, as opposed to the elite).
These peoplee say down to earth, common sense things that we should be doing. None of the tolerance and politically correct nonsense. Then if we do the right thing, there will be enough tolerance and generosity to all who are in trouble.
Tired Taxpayer PRM| 7.25.11 @ 9:53PM
It always amuses me when a "feminist", while trying to protest against taking a man's name when she gets married, retains her father's name as well as taking her husband's. Doesn't Debbie realize that her father was a man also (I hope)?
Margie| 7.26.11 @ 2:24AM
Debbie Washerwoman is not a nice lady, and she's certainly not qualified to clean the House.
Heh.
Margie| 7.26.11 @ 2:30AM
I have to say it again. I for one am heartily encouraged by not only the man Allen West, and if he became the nominee I for once will not have to go to the voting both with a clothespin on my nose, but with a huge smile on my face instead, but am also happy that we have so many great candidates in our camp~ that is, if you ARE in our camp, and by that I mean conservative camp.
And we have more that haven't even thrown their hats into the ring yet.
Sorry, but I'm a happy camper who happens to see more than a glimmer of hope for our side.
Maybe there's something wrong with me.
RetUSA1/75| 7.26.11 @ 4:32AM
Well, Margie, nothing wrong. The current horizion, in my eyes, gleams of a hot orange sun on election day, 2012. Later......
Margie| 7.26.11 @ 2:14PM
I thank God for men like you. Thank you for being the best of America, and for your service to our country.
God bless you, sir.