Republican Congressman Allen West, everyone's favorite Iraqi-torturing politician from the 22nd district, has given us another lesson in the statesmanship he holds so dear.
West sent an email to fellow Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Shultz late yesterday after she made remarks on the House floor that referenced him after he left. In the email, West called her "the most vile, unprofessional, and despicable member of the U.S. House of Representatives," and "not a Lady," according to Politico.
This, in seemingly unbalanced response to Wasserman Schultz's remarks on the House floor yesterday that included "The gentleman from Florida, who represents thousands of Medicare beneficiaries, as do I, is supportive of this plan that would increase costs for Medicare beneficiaries. Unbelievable from a member from South Florida."
West also wrote in the email "let me make myself perfectly clear, you want a personal fight, I am happy to oblige," and said "If you have something to say to me, stop being a coward and say it to my face, otherwise, shut the heck up."
He then had the nerve to sign the letter "Steadfast and Loyal." We get it, Congressman. You were in the Ivy Division. But to whom are you steadfast and loyal?
Despite West's demands that someone with a beef tell him to his face, his short political career has so far consisted largely of talking behind people's backs and making statements not to people's faces and not on the House floor, but to the media and to people with checkbooks.
Like in April, when he went on Fox News and called "Barack Hussein Obama" a "low-level socialist dictator" who showed "third world dictator-like arrogance." West added that he was "sick and tired of ... this Marxist demagogic rhetoric coming from the president." He said the president's April budget speech was "absolutely beneath the statesmanship or the atmosphere or the aura that the president should show."
Obama could learn a lot from West's statesmanship -- just fire a gun past someone's ear if they don't tell you want you want to hear.
And then last month, when West said the entire GOP presidential field "scared the hell out of [him]" because "none of them really understood national security," then tossed in that "we know that the left does not want to stand up for the defense of this country." Whose face was he saying that to? Potential donors. He knows that's how it works. He just doesn't seem to care.
Then there was the time Republicans tried to hide $12 billion in budget cuts behind a bill that would pay U.S. troops during the budget crisis. When Democrats rejected it because of the cuts, Speaker John Boehner accused them of hurting the troops, even though he and everyone else knows the bill was never about the troops in the first place.
West came out against his own party and stood up for the military, albeit by invoking Nazi Germany, writing that "Churchhill stated: 'An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.' Mr. Speaker: I once again will not be feeding the crocodile."
Which seems great, except then he voted for the bill. That's one full crocodile.
The full text of West's email is below; it's cc'd to Republican House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, Republican House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy, Democratic House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and West's chief of staff, Jonathan Blyth.
From: Z112 West, AllenFollow Miami New Times on Facebook and Twitter @MiamiNewTimes.
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)
