Go West, CPAC
There were plenty of House challengers milling around CPAC this weekend, but only Allen West (R) -- an African-American ret. Colonel running an underdog campaign in S. FL -- was given the honor of speaking to attendees.
West, who held Rep. Ron Klein (D-FL) to 55% in '08, has been named to the NRCC's "Young Guns" program, and has already raised $1.2M for a re-match this year. But while West is a solid challenger, Klein will be a tough out. He was caught a bit off guard in '08, and West won't get that benefit this year. Pres. Obama took the CD with 52%, meaning this isn't the most fertile territory.
But West has an interesting story to tell, and his profile means his bid will get plenty of media attention.
In his CPAC address on Saturday, West recounted his upbringing in GA, and the conservative values that his parents instilled in him.
He also told of attending services every Sunday at the local Methodist church, and appeared to compare his experience there to Pres. Obama's. West, on his pastors: "I don't recall a single time when they cursed our country."
But he added that the dreams of his parents "are being challenged" by the "collective ideology of the liberal progressives."
"When you understand their dream, it's more of a nightmare because it's the antithesis of who we are as Americans," said West. "They are bringing forth the nightmare of Marx, of Engels, of Chairman Mao, of Fidel Castro, of Che Guevara, of Hugo Chavez. ... They are bringing a dream that is enslaving the American people."
To sustained applause, West ended his speech by asking the crowd to "join me in a new dream ... to take our country back."
With a continued strong fundraising effort, and a bit of luck, that effort could start by taking a Dem-leaning S. FL House seat back.
FL Dems, though, attempted to raise questions about West's participation at the conference, which was co-sponsored by the John Birch Society. "This organization has been known for its anti-Semitic views and a strong opposition to civil liberties. The fact they are co-sponsoring this conference is outrageous," FL Dem spokesperson Eric Jotkoff wrote in a statement. "By his appearance and association with this conference, the people of South Florida deserve to know if Allen West supports the policies and positions of the John Birch Society?"
Eric Jotkoff asks if Allen West is a supporter of the Birch Society postions. Jotkoff asserts, without any proof, that this organization is anti-Semitic. Of course, it has never stated or advocated anything of the sort. This can not be said of Obama's church he attended for 20 years, his close friendships with Louis Farrakhan, Rashid Khalidi, William Ayers, etc, etc. To throw this rash, stupid accusation against Col. West, while his Democrat opponent,Congressman Klein is a stauch supporter of J-Street, a notorious, radical-Jewish, pro-Palestinian organization is laughable. Let Ron Klein meet Col. West, one on one to debate these accusations and my ten bucks to your one, Klein will not make an appearnce!!!
Mr. Jotkoff represents the views of many who would jump to support a president that he knew NOTHING about and then turn around and try to smear the 50 year old John Birch Society who has NEVER tolerated any racism or antisemitism.
Unlike the Democrats who promote racists like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, if the JBS finds any of that ilk in it's ranks, they are out in 24 hrs. And I should know. I am an Orthodox Jew who is in the highest volunteer leadership, a Section Leader in the JBS, for over 25 years.
Yes Mr. Jotkoff. It's time to go to www.jbs.org and start reading. Ya might just find out what is really going on around you. Then get to work helping to preserve freedom, instead of promoting burgeoning government.
The John Birch Society and its apologists are right up there in the list of what's wrong with this country. As evidenced by the two comments above.
Yep...the intelligent, fact filled comment from Ethan surely explains it all! So where's that evidence Ethan?
Haha, well, for starters you attack two black people for no reason.
I love it...you immediately resort to segmenting people according to race..typical of liberals. So far you have not been able to muster any facts, where I, OTOH, have presented clear facts which demonstrate clearly that you have no case.
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