Allen West’s answer to Fox on government shutdown draws Democratic heat
by George Bennett | March 10th, 2011The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is accusing U.S. Rep. Allen West, R-Plantation, of endorsing a government shutdown after a Wednesday night Fox News appearance in which he criticized continued two-week stopgap measures to keep the federal government running.
Fox News personality and former judge Andrew Napolitano asked West (around the 4:30 mark on the above clip): “Is it time for the government to be shut down if the White House and Congress can’t agree in order to force the president’s hand and compel him to do what we hired him to do, which is run the government within the confines of the constitution and only with the money he collects from taxes and other fees?”
Read West’s answer, and the DCCC’s response, and West’s counter-response, after the jump…
West’s reply to Napolitano:
“Well you’re absolutely right, Judge. What we have to look at is the president is the chief executive officer of this corporation called the United States of America. Look, he told the vice president that he would be part of this budget process but now the vice president has left the country. So I don’t think you see any seriousness coming out of the White House.
The bottom line is this: We have a situation that we have to deal with and I think the American people, if we continue down the road of subsequent two-week CRs (continuing resolutions), there’s more uncertainty, unpredictability that we are creating out there and when you have that uncertainty then you’re also creating a lack of trust and confidence in who we are and what we are sent here to be. You know, I spent 22 years being a leader in the United States Army. And that’s what I’m up here to do is show my leadership.”
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s response:
Representative Allen West Endorses Government Shutdown, Endangering Social Security, Medicare and Aid to Israel
In an interview with Fox News last night, Representative Allen West (FL-22) endorsed a controversial plan to shut down the government, putting in jeopardy thousands of Social Security and Medicare recipients in South Florida and even jeopardizing military assistance to our allies like Israel. When asked about whether West would back the dangerous plan to endanger benefits and aid, West said “you’re absolutely right.” Florida is home to over 450,000 Social Security recipients including over 35,000 in Broward and nearly 20,000 in Palm Beach Counties and West’s district is home to 64,262 veterans.
“While Representative Allen West might think it’s ‘absolutely right’ to shut down government and endanger Social Security and Medicare, the people of South Florida know his dangerous, radical agenda is all wrong,” said Jesse Ferguson of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “If Representative Allen West successfully shut down government, over 450,000 Florida seniors would find their Social Security in jeopardy, over 50,000 veterans could see the benefits they’ve earned slip away and vital assistance to our ally Israel may be lost.”
West’s reply to the DCCC:
“President Barrack Obama has shown a failure of leadership with regard to the budget for this year. He appoints Vice President Biden to be the lead negotiator and he in turn flies off to Europe, showing a lack of interest in the state of our nation’s fiscal crisis. I support the leadership in Congress to take the necessary steps to reduce spending, which contributes to an ever-increasing national debt. It’s perfectly clear, the President is the leader of the federal government and if he does not take a leadership role to reduce out-of-control federal spending, he, and only he, will be responsible for closing the federal government.”
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March 10th, 2011 at 11:01 am
I’m sure glad Mr. West was elected. His leadership and vision are greatly needed.
It’s time to reduce spending, lower taxes, and eliminate burdensome regulation. And We Tea Partiers are looking to Mr. West for leadership.
Thank you, Mr. West, for rising to the challenges our great nation faces! You’re a True Patriot!
March 10th, 2011 at 11:10 am
Congress has responded to the Presidents budget request. When the Senate couldn’t make up it’s mind on Congress’s budget resolution, Congress even approved a two week extension. Congress and Allen West has done it’s job. It is now up to the Senate and a seemingly disinterested President to act. If we have a government shutdown, it won’t be caused by Congressman West. It will be caused by the President and the Senate. The DCCC obviously is trying to politicize a matter by trying to blame Congressman West for a problem that Democrats have created.
March 10th, 2011 at 11:16 am
West For President!!!!! Dems HATE West because he is an African-American Conservative and that contradicts everything in their narrative. If you havent seen this speech on youtube Congressional Candidate LTC Allen West At The Revolution / American Freedom Tour) YOU NEED TO.
March 10th, 2011 at 11:21 am
Mr. West, a true patriot? Of what country?
He’s obviously full of himself. If he came to lead, what is his solution? so far all he’s done is ‘claim’ he’s a leader. But he has no vision or plan for getting us out of this impass. So where does he want to lead us? If you don’t have a plan, you’re worthless West! Uust keep on goosestepping with your Republican buddies and screw the ‘little people’.
March 10th, 2011 at 11:24 am
Reduce the National Deficit by ending tax cuts for the rich not endangering seniors and infirmed.
Republicans are bent on tearing this nation apart.
March 10th, 2011 at 11:40 am
What exactly , would be considered ” burdensome ” regulation and how exactly is that effecting the fiscal state of our country?
Facts are in , and the facts are you can not , repeat CAN – NOT attack this problem with cutting spending AND CUTTING TAXES. Choose one or the other , because when you cut taxes you also have to pay for that too. FYI
March 10th, 2011 at 11:41 am
As I understand it, everybody will still get their SS check, even with a government “slowdown.” Is that true or not?
March 10th, 2011 at 11:48 am
Democratic scare tactic response is full of falsehoods. A government shutdown would only affect 1/3rd of government. The other 2/3rds including social security, VA benefits, post office, etc., are on automatic pilot and would not be in danger. There is no way Congressman West would do anything to harm his fellow veterans. To even imply that is a lie of major proportions.
March 10th, 2011 at 11:59 am
Allen West is not a good human being in any sense of the word. if u can not see this u will, cuz this guy can not help himself and we will all suffer for it…
March 10th, 2011 at 12:09 pm
West is a media whore. I’m NPA and I don’t care for him because he’s loopy. “Look at me! Look at me!” What actual WORK is he doing if he’s always on camera somewhere?
March 10th, 2011 at 12:10 pm
Daniel, what gives you the omnipotence to make predictions of future events or a person’s character? It would be better use of your 1st Amendment rights if you used them in a constructive manner.
March 10th, 2011 at 12:11 pm
The Republicans started this and now they are trying to repair it instead they keep digging us into the grave deeper. You already stuck us in deep dodo, if you want to repair start by charging a high tax rate on 500 hundred thousand and more and bring back the companies from other countries. Again you started push over and let the Demo’s have a shot so far so good with them.
March 10th, 2011 at 12:18 pm
“Enough” I am surprised that an NPA uses their 1st Amendment to tear down someone who is upholding, in speech and actions, the Constitution. You may want to recheck your voters registration card.
March 10th, 2011 at 12:37 pm
ralph, there is nothing constructive that comes out of that hateful mouth. quite plain to see, sorry (for us all) u can’t.
March 10th, 2011 at 1:01 pm
The President has no interest in reducing spending or the deficit. February’s $223 billion deficit is the highest in US HISTORY! For the entire 12-year period of GOP House control—FY 1995 to FY 2007—ANNUAL deficits averaged $104 billion a year. West is right. We need to put our foot down. (Besides the fearmongering Dems don’t want you to know virtually every essential government agency (including SS and Medicare) remains functioning during a “shutdown.”)
March 10th, 2011 at 1:02 pm
I have heard Allen West speak and this is a man that truly loves his country, defends the Consitution, believes in individual rights and smaller government, promotes lower taxation, and is one of the most articulate speakers I’ve heard. He knows the problems our nation is facing and he’s not afraid to confront them. I truly believe he would make an excellent president.
March 10th, 2011 at 1:47 pm
Our Country is skating at the edge of a fiscal cliff and the Democrats are still wanting to spend. Obama’s Addition To The National Debt Could Top $5 Trillion By The Start Of His Fourth Year In Office.
Essential services will continue, but as Allen West has stated, we can’t continue to manage the US economy two weeks at a time. We need to cap Federal spending YESTERDAY.
March 10th, 2011 at 2:37 pm
west is a loser
March 10th, 2011 at 4:25 pm
Funny how the Fox Business channel couldn’t even register a point on the ratings scale, so they changed format to talk more about politics. “Judge” Napolitano is an example of those with fringe beliefs getting air time on Fox and helping extreme views become part of mainstream discussion.
March 10th, 2011 at 6:24 pm
The sooner Allen West is president, the better.
Liberals are the problem. 2012. Solve the problem.
March 11th, 2011 at 6:47 am
I’d like to see Allen West for 2012 president/Marcos Rubio vice president.
March 12th, 2011 at 11:03 am
West strikes fear in the hearts of all liberals. A wise man and leader who speaks for many Americans.