Allen West calls Democratic leader 'vile' and 'despicable.' What set him off?
| Washington
Can鈥檛 we all just get along? In Congress, that鈥檚 not always the best politics.
Take one Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D) of Florida 鈥� who doubles as chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee 鈥� and Rep. Allen West (R) of Florida, a tea party star of the freshman class. Both have big, brash personalities and districts that abut one another in suburban Fort Lauderdale.
In fact, as best we can tell, Congressman West lives in Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz鈥檚 district 鈥� which is legal, and which means he鈥檚 a constituent of hers, and not his own representative in Congress. He acknowledged his out-of-district residential status to the South Florida Sun Sentinel last September during the campaign, and 鈥渋t doesn't appear that West has moved since his election last year,鈥� the Miami New Times reported Wednesday. At press time, his office had not returned a call requesting clarification.
But we digress... Wasserman Schultz offended West鈥檚 sensibilities Tuesday when she went after 鈥渢he gentleman from Florida鈥� on the House floor for supporting the now-passed 鈥渃ut, cap, and balance鈥� legislation, which requires deep cuts in federal spending. She noted that West represents thousands of Medicare beneficiaries, as does she, and 鈥渋s supportive of this plan that would increase costs for Medicare beneficiaries, unbelievable from a member from south Florida.鈥�
She also complained that the legislation 鈥渟lashes Medicaid and critical investments essential to winning the future in favor of protecting tax breaks for Big Oil, millionaires, and companies who ship American jobs overseas.鈥�
Standard rhetorical fare, especially for a national party chair. But West took offense, and turned the dial up a few notches.
鈥淵ou are the most vile, unprofessional, and despicable member of the US House of Representatives,鈥� West said in an e-mail to Wasserman Schultz, which he copied to members of the House leadership. 鈥淚f you have something to say to me, stop being a coward and say it to my face, otherwise, shut the heck up.鈥�
West was especially incensed that she attacked him after he had left the House floor.
His final point: 鈥淵ou have proven repeatedly that you are not a Lady, therefore, shall not be afforded due respect from me!鈥�
Well.
But fear not. Turns out it is likely a win-win for both members. On Wednesday, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee sent out a fundraising letter denouncing West鈥檚 鈥渉ate-filled screed鈥� and asking for donations to defeat him and his ilk. West is also fundraising off the altercation, asking his supporters for $25 donations so he can stand up against 鈥渢he vicious attack from the Democratic National Party.鈥�
No word yet on how much has come in, but anything that gets the partisan juices flowing is usually good for the bank account. Even if it鈥檚 not so good for Congress鈥檚 image.
