Allen West: I’ve “Heard” That Up To 80 Democratic Congressmen Are Communists

UPDATE — Watch the actual video in our story: Video: Allen West Says 78-81 Democratic Congressmen “Are Members Of the Communist Party”

Allen West, purveyor of lies, hyperbole, and hysteria, last night at a town hall meeting in Florida said that he has “heard” that up to 80 Democratic members of the House are also members of the Communist Party. West, a Republican Congressman running for re-election, refused to “name names,” but I think we’ve “heard” this before. It smacks of a scene out of 1962’s “Manchurian Candidate,” as well as iconic images from Joe McCarthy himself. Has West no shame?

The Huffington Post writes:

A request for comment from West’s spokeswoman was not immediately returned.

During the same event, which took place at Florida Atlantic University, the freshman Republican said President Barack Obama wouldn’t have a public debate with him over their policy differences because he was “scared.” The president was in Florida on Tuesday giving remarks about the economy and holding campaign events.

“I really wish that, standing here before you, was Allen West and President Obama,” West said, according to the Palm Beach Post. “We could have a simple discussion. But that ain’t ever gonna happen.”

TPM strolls down the Memory Lane of West’s Worst Hits:

This is just the latest in a long line of provocative statements that West has made, which have helped to build up his notoriety — and his campaign coffers. In addition, Sarah Palin andHerman Cain have each suggested in recent days that West should be the Vice Presidential nominee on the 2012 Republican ticket.

West became a star of conservative political circles, and subsequently launched his political career, after his military career ended when he fired a pistol next to the head of an Iraqi policeman during an interrogation. West said this was done in order to stop an impending attack on his unit, but no evidence of such a plan was found based on the policeman’s coerced confession.

Since then, West has become known for declaring that America’s enemy is not just militant radical Islamism, but Islam itself.

Following his election to Congress in 2010, and a controversy involving anti-government comments by a woman who had been his first choice for chief of staff, he said that in Congress he would remain focused that “this liberal, progressive, socialist agenda, this left-wing, vile, vicious, despicable machine that’s out there is soundly brought to its knees.”

Of course, we have our own hits from the anti-gay Allen West:

“Vice President” Allen West: Gay Marriage An Unimportant “Rabbit Hole”

Unemployment: Allen West Suggests Obama Administration Cooked The Books

Allen West: I Did Not Tell Obama To “Get The Hell Out Of The US” Even Though There’s Video

Is Rep. Allen West Guilty Of Sedition For Telling Generals To Quit?

Congressman Allen West: “If Joseph Goebbels was around, he’d be very proud of the Democrat Party”

Rep. Allen West: “Equality And Fairness” Is Divisive Rhetoric From Obama

Allen West Defends Gay Ice Cream Analogy, Then Attacks Gays In Military

Allen West: You Cannot Compare Me And My Race To Homosexual Behavior

 

 

Hat tip: Think Progress