Allen West: Debbie Wasserman Schultz 'Vile', 'Not A Lady'

WASHINGTON — A Republican congressman from Florida turned to email on Tuesday to call a Democratic colleague from the state "vile, despicable and cowardly" after she called into question his stance on Medicare during the debate over a spending cap and balanced budget bill before the House.

Rep. Allen West, a first-term Republican from south Florida, wasn't shy about his online outburst. He sent his peppery email to numerous lawmakers as well as his target, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., the chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee.

The subject line of the email: "Unprofessional and Inappropriate Sophomoric Behavior from Wasserman Schultz."

The e-mail said: "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."

In her remarks on the House floor, Wasserman Schultz said: "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."

She was alluding to a GOP-backed bill to reduce the debt and amend the Constitution to require a balanced federal budget. The House later approved the bill 234-190, but it is unlikely to pass the Democratic Senate.

In his email, West said Wasserman Schultz has proven "that you are not a Lady" and "shall not be afforded due respect from me!" He said he was alerting House leaders to her "heinous characterless behavior."

A spokesman for Wasserman Schultz, Jonathan Beeton, said in an email of 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. ... The truth hurts."

West's office did not back off the criticism after the email was widely distributed. A spokeswoman said Wasserman Schultz had taken "another cowardly cheap shot at Congressman West."

Comments

[akittywithglasses]

03:08 PM on 08/31/2011

Rep. Wasserman Schultz spoke the truth, and West has a problem......
She is an intelligent lady; too bad the truth upsets Rep West so much.....but what else is new in FL politics?

[Vivann Ryan]

11:37 AM on 07/24/2011

You are no different from West; hiding behind the safety nest of your comfort zone. Unseen!!

[Vivann Ryan]

11:31 AM on 07/24/2011

West, Wild West to the senate? Are you kidding me!! This wild joker needs to be somewhere hidden in the backwards woods of the lowest form. To think he can get away with his "Vile and Vulgar" statements about our most "Distinguished Lady from Florida" will not fly in America. The women's rights to speak out and still be respected is here and now. Debbie Wasserman Shultz you represent us women and men who truly support you. Forget about jerks like Wild, Wild West!!!

[Pamela Lake]

12:47 PM on 07/23/2011

No, Wasserman Schultz did not take "a cheap shot" at Congressman West. She spoke truth and he is not having a temper tantrum. However, this is not surprising coming from a TP representative.

[huffpodc]

05:12 PM on 07/22/2011

Allen's a little sensitive, no ? Debbie said that, and he said this in response ? Sounds like a prima donna to me (Allen, that is). Hey Allen, here's a clue: the problem is not whether the emperor is white or black, the problem is that there's an emperor. Figure it out, bro.

[mburgh]

04:51 PM on 07/22/2011

Typical - A Knucklehead answers a good critique with an ad hominem attack showing his moral bankruptcy of these legislators. I stand with the lady too, who is acting like one, unlike Rep. West, who is acting like a child. I hope his constituents hear what Rep. Wasserman-Schultz has to tell about this so-called deal.

[larryvnyrd]

02:59 PM on 07/22/2011

All she did was tell the chmber, what she thought of his stance, and he reacted this way? What a child. Who elected him? Oh, wait the TEA party did. We should expect this.

[Ray Williams]

12:52 PM on 07/22/2011

I can't believe there are so many racists on this site. Everyone knows that if you criticize a black man in any way that makes you a racist. Franklt i'm shocked and apalled.

[Ray Williams]

12:44 PM on 07/22/2011

ALLEN WEST FOR PRESIDENT!!

[Ed Hammer]

10:30 AM on 07/22/2011

I have news for you Mr. West. You sir are revolting and cowardly. Hopefully for the seniors of Florida, you also are a one term congressman.

[BigPictureReg]

09:21 AM on 07/22/2011

Just as I thought.

A mature and thoughtful response, from a 3rd grade/rate mentality.

[cico31]

09:56 PM on 07/21/2011

seems HP not a big fan of black conservatives

[Oonagh]

10:31 PM on 07/21/2011

Has nothing to do with black or white... you obviously do not know what is being discussed.

[Ray Williams]

01:09 PM on 07/22/2011

It has every thing to do with black an white when Obama is concerned though.

[sisterdebmac]

05:07 PM on 07/22/2011

I think HP is not a fan of jackholes.

[The1AndOnly1]

07:00 PM on 07/21/2011

Let me get this straight. He wants her to confront him face to face but yet he did the opposite. Mr.Temper Tantrum got his feelings hurt so instead of talking to her , he ran to the nearest computer to write her an email ? Sounds like a punk move. Ah , but that's a typical repub for ya. Here's some advice Mr.West. Next time you disagree with someone handle it right then and there.Don't go running and hide behind a computer because it might make you look like a hero to your republithug buddies but to me it makes you look like a coward.

[J- A]

06:50 PM on 07/21/2011

Is this that guy that claimed he'd been some sort of super-secret counter-terrorist, or something?
With a "security clearance higher than the presidents" or something equally crazy.

[Oonagh]

10:32 PM on 07/21/2011

The very one...

[Rightbrainedleftwinged]

04:27 PM on 07/21/2011

There was a birther with Dearborn in their screen name, that started talking about how Obama has still pulled the ultimate scam in his birther conspiracy. Didn't that get haulted when he released his birth certificate? How much more do Birthers need to show their ignorance? My comment was simply about Allen West's vial comments, and his reluctance to apologize. It wasn't as though Wasserman Shultz targeted him personally? That is about the typical response you'll get from a birther/Teabagger. I mean they are the same types of people who deny the holocaust happened.


Romney, being a Latter Day saint is going to have to be respectful of Obama's ancestry, because Mormon ancestry has a lot of contreversy in it too. If birthers try to take over the 2012 election, and you see right wing venom and lies at it's worse, you'll see that regardless of what he tries to do to curb it, it won't work. Progressives could actually not really care that much what his religious background is, just his policies will be bad for America and take our country backwards instead of forwards.