Cut, cap and blow up: West calls Wasserman Schultz ‘vile, unprofessional and despicable’
by George Bennett | July 19th, 2011U.S. Rep. Allen West, R-Plantation, fired off an e-mail calling U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Weston, “the most vile, unprofessional and despicable member of the U.S. House of Representatives” after she criticized West without naming him on the House floor late this afternoon.
The exchange between South Florida’s two most prominent congressional talking heads came during the House debate on a Republican “Cut, Cap and Balance” bill to slash the size of government in exchange for increasing the federal debt ceiling.
Wasserman Schultz, who’s also chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, blasted the GOP legislation and, clearly refering to West, called his support for the measure “unbelievable for a member from South Florida” because she says it will “end Medicare as we know it.”
West wasn’t present for Wasserman Schultz’s remarks, but quickly got wind of them and sent an e-mail to her a few minutes later, sending copies to House leaders from both parties.
“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…You have proven repeatedly that you are not a Lady, therefore, shall not be afforded due respect from me!”
Read Wasserman Schultz’s remarks, West’s e-mail and other reactions after the jump…..
Here’s the key excerpt from Wasserman Schultz’s remarks on the House floor:
“Incredulously, 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. It slashes 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.”
Here’s West’s e-mail response:
From: Z112 West, Allen
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)
Here’s a response from Wasserman Schultz spokesman Jonathan Beeton, which includes a dig at West for living in Wasserman Schultz’s district rather than his own:
“I don’t think that Congressman West is upset at the Congresswoman, but rather with the fact that she highlighted that he and other Republicans are once again trying to balance the budget on the backs of seniors, children and the middle class. As someone who lives in Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz’s Congressional district, Congressman West knows that we have hundreds of thousands of seniors in South Florida who have paid into Medicare throughout their lives and now rely on this program to keep them healthy and active.”
West spokeswoman Angela Sachitano reiterated her boss’s criticism this evening, saying Wasserman Schultz “took another cowardly cheap shot at Congressman West conveniently after he had just left the House floor…The constituents in Florida see Congressman West as a true leader and a man of principle while Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz is once again viewed as politics as usual, and her true character sadly shown today.”
Cerabino: Allen West’s new designation? Depends on how you define ‘magnificent’
July 19th, 2011 at 9:53 pm
I think Rep West has shown himself to be a coward. He rants at Schultz for not facing him and then does something similar. Allen, that was pathetic, you should be ashamed. Pathetic man, pathetic!
ali gator chomp chomp chomp
July 19th, 2011 at 10:01 pm
I listened to Rep. Wasserman-Schultz’s “speech” on the House Floor. All I can say is since Day One Wasserman Schultz really has it in for Congressman West because he stands for everything that she is diametrically opposed to: Marxist class warfare versus American Exceptionalism. If she was truly interested in policy disagreement and standing up for her beliefs, she would have met or debated face to face with Congressman West. Funny thing is that I had a policy issue/disagreement with Congressman West recently. It was a letter on policy with supporting documentation to argue my point. It was sent to his Chief of Staff and passed on to the Congressman. I received a handwritten note on Congressional stationary from Rep. West addressing my concerns. I then requested to meet with Congressman West personally and he agreed to do so. Now, I’ve written letters to other elected officials and they have NEVER sent me a personalized letter and an indication of interest in meeting with me. Now that’s what a citizen legislator is all about, regardless of what party they belong to.
Congressman West is definitely a standout, model legislator….and Wasserman Schultz is nothing but a publicity hound, career politician hack who spews Marxist rhetoric.
July 19th, 2011 at 10:18 pm
Schultz is a despicable individual who spews forth her lying liberal diatribe daily. Let her retire from Congress once and for all and stop embarrassing herself every time she opens her liberal mouth.
July 19th, 2011 at 10:32 pm
Many Democrats like me are applauding Cong. Allen West’s email to Cong. Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Ms. Shultz is a racist extremist, a vile and despicable individual, and a disgrace to the U.S. Congress. She definitely should retire and stop embarrassing herself and her district. Thank you, Cong. West for your refreshing candor and honesty.
July 19th, 2011 at 10:40 pm
The DNC continues to attack Republicans for wanting “to end Medicare as we know it. According to Medicare’s chief actuary, ObamaCare cuts $818 billion from Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) from 2014-2023, the first 10 years of its full implementation, and $3.2 trillion over the first 20 years, 2014-2033. Adding in ObamaCare cuts for Medicare Part B (physicians fees and other services) brings the total cut to $1.05 trillion over the first 10 years and $4.95 trillion over the first 20 years. Obamacare throws seniors under the bus AND off a cliff.
July 19th, 2011 at 10:47 pm
Boola, boola for Allen West!
July 19th, 2011 at 10:57 pm
If you voted for Obamacare you voted against our Seniors – and everyone else.
Ms. Wasserman-Soros obviously feels a need to be the Obama poodle, selling out her constituents and her faith all at once.
July 19th, 2011 at 11:04 pm
Wow — isn’t fair game for WS to criticize a fellow representative on the floor. Geez, even if you disagree with the woman. West should have gotten up on the floor and made a retort. Craziness that doing such a thing makes folks call her a racist. What is happening to us? Healthy debate has been lost to listening to the pundits and politicians and then just reacting. Read her actual comments and then read his email — you decide — seems really odd.
July 19th, 2011 at 11:11 pm
WEST IS A MUG GET RID OF HIM JUST A PIECE OF TRASH
July 19th, 2011 at 11:26 pm
I am a former elected Democratic Port Everglades Commissioner, who gave back his salary. I recently went to an Alan West Town Hall meeting because we disagree on an issue. He is the most brilliant elected official I ever saw, besides being a man of courage and high moral values. Wasserman-Shultz is a racist liar.
July 19th, 2011 at 11:30 pm
Allen West is a moron. He deserves to be removed from office. Telling her to shut the **ck up? Ya, that’s normal. Well, what do you expect from the Tea Party? America is on to the fact they want to fleece the sick and the working class for the benefit of their rich buddies and their tax breaks. How embarrassing for this “man”
July 19th, 2011 at 11:32 pm
Congratulations to the great Wasserman Schultz for putting this sad and pathetic putz in his place. I am STILL laughing at his juvenile response! WS has been re-elected many times and is respected. Al West is a racist of epic proportions.
July 19th, 2011 at 11:48 pm
DWS is a vile despicable liar. She is
a disgrace to the district and the
community. She is TOXIC.
It is she who is throwing the seniors
under the bus with OBAMACARE which
stripes away $500 million from Medicare
and imposes death panels.
July 19th, 2011 at 11:49 pm
I love Schultz…she might be really liberal…but she’s also very smart and eloquent. Unlike the whackjob who at any time seems like all he wants to do is whip out his gun and start shooting all who disagree with him. Its these crazies that have severely damaged the Republican Party. The fact that he was even elected just proves how stupid voters are. There are plenty of sane conservatives out there to vote for…and yet we’ve got West in the House and Scott in the Governors Mansion. Just look at this, all she said was I can’t believe that’s his position considering who his constituents are…and he shoots back with you’re vile and despicable. If you want to fight, I’m happy to oblige? Say it to my face? He sounds like a stupid kid starting a fight in school not a U.S. Congressman.
July 20th, 2011 at 1:16 am
If you morons haven’t figured out, they are both titular heads of parties that are out to screw all of us. Neither of these morons gives a rat’s anus about any of us. They, like the parties two which they belong, are only out to maintain their majorities, reward their friends and harm their opponents…
July 20th, 2011 at 6:33 am
Good job Debbie and keep it up. West needs to go south right down to the Hell he has put Floridians in. He sounds and looks scarey.
July 20th, 2011 at 6:54 am
Allen West is devoid of personal character and integrity. Now everyone knows it. I doubt “Voice of Reason” can actually pinpoint any actual Marxist rhetoric himself, nevermind coming from Wasserman-Schulz.
July 20th, 2011 at 6:55 am
GREAT JOB WEST, its time for the democratic attack strategy to win a vote to be put to a halt. the american people are swimming in misery and the dems still havent come out of their sandbox.
July 20th, 2011 at 7:02 am
Congressman West has a well documented anger control issue.
He is a retired Lt. Col. due to things he does when angered and fearful.
July 20th, 2011 at 7:09 am
Mr. West did a good job, all liberals are by nature a bunch of compulsive liars.
Good Job Mr West!
July 20th, 2011 at 7:14 am
West recently made a comment that Obama 2012 supporters were a threat to the gene pool. West’s preferences and veiled intentions are symptomatic of what will destroy this country if we don’t get smart and work together. The future is bleak, violent class warfare otherwise.
July 20th, 2011 at 7:17 am
Kudos to Congressman West for outing Debbie Whatshername. I am sick of paying my hard earned dollars to Obama and the rest of his cronies. ALLEN WEST IS THE BEST MAN TO GO TO WASHINGTON DC IN A VERY LONG TIME! I appreciate his candidness and I rest knowing he has my back! GO WEST!
July 20th, 2011 at 7:20 am
The fact that DWS refers to him as “the gentleman from Florida” and can’t address him in a professional and respectful manner PROVES that West is correct in his assessment.
July 20th, 2011 at 7:28 am
It does pretty much sum up who she is.
July 20th, 2011 at 7:34 am
Look at all the teabbagger antisemites. Not surprising in the least. Allen West is using the same teminology that Hitler used when referring to the Jews. This is no different, and comes from a war criminal taboot.
July 20th, 2011 at 7:40 am
Totally agree with West. Wasserman Schultz is vile. She is repugnant, obnoxious, a dirty woman. She is no lady.
July 20th, 2011 at 7:43 am
Ah, you disagree with someone who is jewish and you are labeled -antisemite.
And if you disagree with Obama you are a-racist.
Typical democrat hate strategy.
Kudos for calling Wasserman-Schultz what she is.
July 20th, 2011 at 7:43 am
West is just another republican that signed that contract with Grover Norquist that puts the rich first and foremost and to h-ll with everybody else, I’ve said it before and Ill say it again the only good republican is one that is in the ground.
July 20th, 2011 at 7:43 am
DWS is a typical scare-ocrat. I am 55 and have heard the same BS from her and every other Democrat for the past 30 years. Get a new line.. the same old lies aren’t working.
Oh they’re gonna kill old people and starve the children and oh, i can’t go on…..
WEST IS A STAND UP GUY WITH PRINCIPLES..
July 20th, 2011 at 7:46 am
Debbie=Rahm
July 20th, 2011 at 7:49 am
Shultz is an example of how pathetic the Democrats have become!
July 20th, 2011 at 7:52 am
Tell West to ‘eat my grits’.
July 20th, 2011 at 7:54 am
What a shame, 2 people playing with America’s credit rating.
@ Mike (Micheal) Block CPA License # R000921, comment here “Wasserman-Shultz is a racist liar.”
I honestly can’t believe Mr. Block wrote this.
Title 31, Subtitle A, Part 10, Section 10.51(a)(12)states:
“or
circulating or publishing malicious or libelous matter”
Mr. Block you made a malicious unfounded attack against a member of Congress “admitted to practice taxation law”.
Mr. Micheal Block, I sincerely hope you unfounded attack was worth it. As you are likely now to lose your CPA’s license and be disbarred from practice.
This below office has been notified of your violation of practice along with the Florida DBPR, under CPA License Micheal Block CPA,#R000921
Office of Professional Responsibility
SE:OPR, Room 7238/IR
1111 Constitution Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20224
I’d hire yourself a very good attorney by days end Mr. Block, your in very serious trouble.
July 20th, 2011 at 7:55 am
Oh dear, well a gentleman should never call a lady names. I am very disappointed in Mr west.
July 20th, 2011 at 7:58 am
Once again Ms. Schultz displays no class and continues pit bull act with no substance.
July 20th, 2011 at 8:05 am
Hey, maybe the Republican Fascists finally found their candidate for 2012!
July 20th, 2011 at 8:05 am
So let me get this straight, DWS attacks West on the House floor for his policy position (something done every day on the House floor), and this “tough military man” replies with a thin skinned freak out calling her “vile, unprofessional, and despicable”?
Geeze someone need to chill a bit… including the commenters here.
I didn’t here West deny his stance on the position in his response, I just heard a crybaby tell everyone she was mean to him.
July 20th, 2011 at 8:05 am
Democrats from S FL are evil.
They THREW THEIR OWN DEMOCRAT SENATORIAL CANDIDATE, black man-Kendirck Meek- UNDER THE BUS AND ENDORSED INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE!
That’s how Wasserman Schultz’s operates.
Time for Weston to find another candidate to run against Debbie.
July 20th, 2011 at 8:08 am
Sen. West, for every person who are against you, you have at least 2 people who are for you! Continue to do what you are doing and listen and work for the citizen’s and you will go far. Your opposition have realized how good you are and so now are trying everything to distort your charactor to the public. That’s ok. We are onto them! Thanks for being Honest and Representing the PEOPLE!
July 20th, 2011 at 8:08 am
Wasserman Schultz one cannot throw stones when you have glass house..
July 20th, 2011 at 8:08 am
Wow, what a manly aproach taken by Mr. West. Sent her an E-Mail? I guess anything anti-West is vile and despicable. I find it amusing when politician do their posturing, as if any of them have integrity or ethics to protect. They’d all sell their souls for a little bag of gold. Man up West, quit sending your 3rd grade e-mails.
July 20th, 2011 at 8:09 am
This is SO Flori-DUH! It’s hilarious!
So, West writes an email with the subject line:
“Unprofessional and Inappropriate Sophomoric Behavior from Wasserman-Schultz”
But then WEST goes on to write:
“Let me make myself perfectly clear, you want a personal fight, I am happy to oblige.”
And .. “You are the most vile, unprofessional ,and despicable member of the US House of Representatives.”
So was West attempting to show what “Unprofessional and Inappropriate Sophomoric Behavior” is?
He certainly didn’t “rise above”, now did he?
July 20th, 2011 at 8:10 am
Wasserman Schultz = Anthony ‘the’ Weiner
They are both the same. They must come from the same school of obnoxiousness.
July 20th, 2011 at 8:21 am
“OH, East is East, and West is West, and never the twain shall meet,
Till Earth and Sky stand presently at God’s great Judgment Seat;
But there is neither East nor West, Border, nor Breed, nor Birth,
When two strong men stand face to face, tho’ they come from the ends of the earth!”
(Rudyard Kipling)
July 20th, 2011 at 8:23 am
She reminds me of the female version of Alan Grayson, constantly mouthing off baseless and disgusting rhetoric. It’s the typical liberal way – they have nothing of substance to say, so they rant on and on. She recently called all Republicans anti-woman. Since her pal, Gabby Giffords was shot, she’s been wandering around with bodyguards paid for by taxpayers. I’ve repeatedly asked for an explanation and received nothing in return. Her constituents must be as goofy as she is because they keep re-electing her. Thanks Col. West for the long overdue retort to this ugly and sorry excuse for a woman, let alone a Congresswoman.
July 20th, 2011 at 8:24 am
I think her name really is Debbie Wasserman-Schmutz. And the liberals have the nerve to trash Sarah Palin and Michelle Bachmann when they have people like DWS representing them spewing out nonsense and demeaning a fellow black congressman.
Our website: http://chuckontherightside.blogspot.com/
Chuck Lehmann
July 20th, 2011 at 8:24 am
I see nothing wrong with Rep. Wasserman’s comments. Mr. West should be ashamed of himself favoring big tax breaks for corporations and wealthy Americans at the expense of the entitlement programs.
My only regret was that Mr. West defeated a nice liberal guy like Ron Kline to win the seat. We can only hope that a Democrat can regain that seat next year so those constituents’ interests will be properly represented in Congress.
July 20th, 2011 at 8:27 am
African-Americans are tired of the Jewish wing of the South Florida Democratic party treating us with arrogance and condescension. Frankel running against Hastings, Frankel running against West,and now DWS attacking West in abstentia. Jews, especially women, despise black males.
We need to turn away from the Democratic party. They’ve taken our support for granted too long.
July 20th, 2011 at 8:31 am
Let me see if I understand this. DWS’s floor time and comments occurred when Rep West was ABSENT from the floor while the House was in session. Just what was so important that he could not be PRESENT while the House was in session and had an active debate on the debt ceiling? Now had it been in her office or a news conference where he was excluded, the critism might be understandable, but this occured in a public forum where he was supposed to be.
Context – DWS’s statements published in the news report appear to be a factual summary of Rep West’s (and other Republican’s) position on Medicare. Rep West’s email did not contest that his position was “misrepresented” and needed to “set the record straight.” It was factual. DWS raised legitimate questions about the propriatary impact without resorting to descriptive adjectives assisnating character.
If Rep West wants to see “vile, unprofessional, and despicable” perhaps he needs to look in a mirror – and be present when the House is in session and actively debating. And while he is looking in the mirror – take two steps back and a critical look at the impact of his policies on his constituents.
July 20th, 2011 at 8:36 am
This just shows how West is not an honorable man – Hopefully after redistricting I won’t have to put up with the hatred he spews. I live in northern Palm Beach County and I am discussed that this vile man from Broward County is my representative.
July 20th, 2011 at 8:37 am
What stands out in this ongoing debate about cutting social security and medicare (and its attendant sub-debates such as this one) is the lack of discussion about $16 billion MONTHLY for the Iraq and Afghanistan “wars”, which have no substantive purpose. Where to get much-needed funds? Hmmm…let me think.
July 20th, 2011 at 8:43 am
This from a guy who was drummed out of the service becuaes he saw nothing wrong with “torturing a prisoner”
The Military decided he was a Section 8 jackazz and he still is a section 8 jackazz!
and the t-turds? They are like Dick Scott in the poles…Freefalling more and more daily!
July 20th, 2011 at 8:47 am
@Steve Cohen, what you really are saying is that you want the district represented by another rich, liberal Jew rather than a Black man who served his country in the military. And to demonstrate your lack of knowledge about this district (other than your desire to have another Jew represent it) his name was Klein, not Kline.
July 20th, 2011 at 8:50 am
Debbie needs to decide if the wants to be a Congresswoman or Chair of thew DNC. The 2 jobs are incompatible because she needs to be all-partisan to be an effective Chair but willing to compromise to be an effective Congresswoman. Choose Deb!
July 20th, 2011 at 8:51 am
To “No Uncle Tom” Hey loser you have a very short memory. It was the “Jews” and the Democratic Party that stood toe to toe with the black population during the civil rights movement. You want to hang out with the Repub/Teamorons…do it..They’ll throw you under the bus like they have done for hundreds of years. West could care less about you..wait and see.
July 20th, 2011 at 8:51 am
How could anyone over 55 vote for West, who wants to strip retirees of their benefits? Vote for ANYONE, except West..
July 20th, 2011 at 8:51 am
Debbie needs to decide if the wants to be a Congresswoman or Chair of the DNC. The 2 jobs are incompatible because she needs to be all-partisan to be an effective Chair but willing to compromise to be an effective Congresswoman. Choose Deb!
July 20th, 2011 at 8:52 am
To “No Uncle Tom” Hey loser you have a very short memory. It was the “Jews” and the Democratic Party that stood with theblack population during the civil rights movement. You want to hang out with the Repub/Teamorons…do it..They’ll throw you under the bus like they have done for hundreds of years. West could care less about you..wait and see.
July 20th, 2011 at 8:53 am
I’m a lifelong Republican and West is just as whacky as they come.
I’m not sure what’s more troubling:
That West actually got elected or that so many crawl out of the woodwork to defend/praise his outbursts.
July 20th, 2011 at 8:55 am
To: Sue Revisionist history rears its ugly head.
1) it was the Republicans who freed the slaves. The solid Democrat South wanted to keep their free labor supply.
2) Lincoln’s initiatives like the “40 acres and a mule” were vetoed by Democrat Andrew Johnson when he assumed the Presidency on Lincoln’s assasination. It is one of the things that contributed to his impeachment.
3) Even after the Republicans freed the slaves, a solid Democrat South enacted “Jim Crow” laws designed to keep blacks down. Yes, Jim Crow was a Democrat.
Get it straight.