Debbie Wasserman Schultz Reacts To Allen West Email (VIDEO)

During an appearance on MSNBC on Wednesday, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), who chairs the Democratic National Committee, was asked about eyebrow-raising criticism directed at her by Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.) on the heels of his harsh words coming to light.

"I have to tell you I was unfazed by his email," said the Democratic congresswoman. "It's not surprising that given the pressure that the Republicans are facing, they're defending ending Medicare as we know it. Congressman West represents thousands of senior citizens which is what I was pointing out and they would face significant increased costs due to the Medicare plan. And, it's not surprising he would crack under the pressure of having to defend that."

The AP relays background on the email West sent to numerous lawmakers as well as Wasserman Schultz herself:

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.
...
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 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."

After the email from West landed in the headlines, Wasserman Schultz spokesman Jonathan Beeton wrote in an email, "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." He added, "The truth hurts."

Facing criticism over his remarks, West appeared to stand by his choice of words on Tuesday night.

"Congressman West contacted Congresswoman Wasserman-Schultz directly, as well as bipartisan House leadership to express his concern with her comments and the low level she has chosen to stoop to attack Congressman West," the congressman's communications director said in a statement to ABC News. "The Congresswoman's actions were unprofessional and cowardly. 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."

WATCH:

Comments

[Thomas Cox]

09:13 PM on 07/24/2011

I am a constituent in DWS district. I am the first to admit that she is not an impressive public speaker. She could use a little work on that. Debbie is much smarter than she appears on TV.
She has always supported human rights and Union rights. She has firsthand knowledge of the problems average people have with the, for profit, healthcare system and is a breast cancer survivor.
Like many other Democrats, she can assess the feasibility of a bill passing and has a tendency to try to go straight for the final deal rather than engaging in negotiation.
President Obama has the same ability and fault.
As a Union Member and negotiator, I was required to study negotiating techniques.

I am sorry to say that the repugs have a much better grasp of negotiation that the Dems.

Primary is the necessity to state your position and expect to get it, lock, stock and barrel.
Never fail to ask for the impossible just because you know they will never go for it.
Expect them to go for it. Don't make concessions befor you begin. Taking Single Payer off of the table before negotiation began was a HUGE mistake. HUGE.

[RSK1177]

12:20 AM on 07/23/2011

Mr.Coldheart....what happened to Pelosi's promises to "drain the swamp" and to have the most open and transparent House in history? You're right. She did get most of Obama's objectives accomplished by getting the votes but who couldn't get the votes when the Democrats were in the majority in the House. Who's saying the nonsensical things?

[Daniel Kemetick]

03:39 PM on 07/24/2011

Mr West was elected in 2010. Pelosi lost her Speaker's position and so draining the swamp is now off the table. Considering Mr West's attitude toward women I think it's a good thing she isn't the swamp drainer.

[Daniel Kemetick]

04:38 PM on 07/22/2011

By the way, Mr West. Will Smith called. He wants his 80's fade back.

[love4life]

10:01 AM on 07/22/2011

While West was absent from the chamber, DWS used her speaking time in the House (using "incredulously" when she meant "incredibly") to lash out at West for backing the "cut, cap and balance" bill which will, in her trite rhetoric, gut Medicare yadda yadda yadda. West was offended that she violated the honor code of Congresspeople against singling out colleagues for vitriol in their absence.
American Spectator
~Crickets eh?

[Daniel Kemetick]

04:37 PM on 07/22/2011

She did NOT refer to Mr West by name. As for you a black guy who sells his soul to the white establishment is no black man.

[Berettasskeeter]

07:05 PM on 07/22/2011

So, does a white man who supports the black establishment deserve the same vitriol?
Semper fi

[wwoody]

08:09 AM on 07/22/2011

mybeep1 something happen to you comment:Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman was only debating the issues, there wasn't anything personal in her bring up the the issues ...as always she was being a lady.

posted Jul 20, 2011 at 18:35:24 Reply Link

mybeep1 The kool aid you drink must contain some illegal drugs in it for you to believe this.

posted Jul 22, 2011 at 07:28:

Sorry I don't drink Kool Aid,..that for children,,,,As I said earlier..Congressman West is not an gentleman ,,,if he can't take the heat ..tell him to.stay out of the kitchen.

[DigESource]

01:25 AM on 07/22/2011

Did this email take place in his official capacity? If not, then it cannot be judged from the Official Context of his job.

Would this mean any personal statements she make to anyone anywhere should now be up for professional scrutiny?

Now she will be held to the highest standards of conduct at ALL TIMES!

One slip girl, and you are TOAST!

[mari2JJ]

09:25 PM on 07/22/2011

What a silly idea. Of course the congressman and also Congresswoman Wasserman can be held totally responsible for what he or she says because he is a member of the House of Representatives. Their pledge is never to bring disdain on the House. As a Republican, I feel that his comment is just plain chauvinistic and totally out of place and that it did bring shame on the House. Everyone is welcome to their own opinion, but Republicans acting like this by making a disgusting public statement truly and totally embarrass me and i am a life long Republican. Just totally ill mannered and unbecoming to a House member.

[Left on Red]

08:46 PM on 07/21/2011

Very interesting that West doesn't even live in the district he supposedly represents. Election Fraud anyone? His head must really spin because he actually lives in DWS's district. Priceless....

[marymeade2]

12:03 AM on 07/22/2011

Turn him in if he is breaking the law. Why haven't you?

[Left on Red]

08:43 PM on 07/21/2011

It seems to me that the more the republicans try to justify the actions they are trying to take, the more heat they take, and the more testy they become. What they are trying to do is just not honest for the citizens and when called out, they resort to the juvenile behavior that Rep. West has exhibited.

[caneca]

07:53 PM on 07/21/2011

The difference between what she said and his reaction is this: She critiziced his actions. He attacked her as a woman and as a person. There is a big difference between critizicing someone's actions and insulting them as persons. A difference that obviously Rep. Allen West do not understand.

[love4life]

09:59 AM on 07/22/2011

I'm sure you're the first person to defend the vile onslaughts against Palin then, right?

[CubanPeter]

12:06 PM on 07/22/2011

I havn't heard anyone in the congress or senate call Palin anything remotely as bad as what West said about his fellow congressperson. Actually pointing out when someone misspeaks is not calling them names, it is just trying to make sure people listening know when something incorrect is said. If we didn't bother to correct these things, repubs would be more confused then they already are.

[Vincent Negroman]

04:06 PM on 07/21/2011

Congressman West is so juvenile. You don't hear the comments you get it second hand then fire off and emotionally charged email. I have high school children that do the exact same thing. I would like to tell him like I tell my children. " get the facts before your blow off the handle. You have no idea what they really meant by what they said. Never make a decision in emotion, it will only make things worse". Finally I would like to say one more thing: Grow up, If you can't take the heat get out of the kitchen.

[BannedFromCommenting]

03:15 PM on 07/21/2011

I emailed the coward. HE is the coward. Who leaves the house during a debate after their comments? A coward who does not want to hear countering opinion. Its a House DEBATE! Where else is Shultz to make her opinions? She did not take off.

[buttonman]

08:45 PM on 07/25/2011

West couldn't abide military rules and regs and barely missed being court martialed. Why would anyone think he was capable of abiding by House rules & regs? Least of all being a gentleman.

West is not only a coward, he's a cad who should be recalled.

[BannedFromCommenting]

03:02 PM on 07/21/2011

"I understand that after I departed the House floor you directed your floor speech comments directly towards me.'

Wait, how is she cowardly that after he gives his BS talk on the floor, he LEAVES??? She made her comments where she is supposed to ON THE FLOOR!! He is the one who took off to go drink or play golf, instead of staying around to hear countering opinions!!

[mari2JJ]

06:25 PM on 07/23/2011

Yes. both of their comments are now on the record for all to judge who is acting like the adult and who is acting like a spoiled brat.

[Ernest Adams]

02:44 PM on 07/21/2011

It's a WOMAN vs. a little boy bully...

[centsable]

02:34 PM on 07/21/2011

Is West smarter than a intelligent, educated democrat woman?....make that lady. Republicans are the most thin skinned in congress. It's that I know you are but what am I mentality that often seen in children and teacons...who voted for this mess of a boy!!!!

[roger zion]

03:09 PM on 07/21/2011

Damn BOY, were you trippin on that last sentence? One things for certain both West and Ms. Piggy are evidently smarter than "centsable"... That's a hoot this country has the QUEEN of thin skin squatting in MY White House, and I don't mean Shelly...

[centsable]

03:44 PM on 07/21/2011

Teabaggers should been seen and not heard. You baggers think it's alright to dominate your women, Wasserman is better than West and any other republican, West is upset because Wasserman can think for herself, and doesn't need a man to tell her what to do.

[mari2JJ]

06:32 PM on 07/23/2011

Frankly this has nothing to do with party or race. I hold only Congressman West responsible for his boorish behavior. Please, everyone, let it be known that I am a life long Re0publican and I still insist that Republicans act civilized and never make excuses for them in any circumstances like this. This guy acted like a spoiled brat boor and he will have to somehow dig himself out of this mess if he wants any credibility. This has nothing to do with gender or party or race. It has everything to do with rules of the house. So just man up, Congressman West, and do our party a favor. Get your apology on the record and let us move on. Frankly, this behavior is not like your usual ideals at all.

[centsable]

03:28 PM on 07/24/2011

Partly agree...but this is not Regan's republicans... the republicans today are the tea party repubs...

[centsable]

02:37 PM on 07/21/2011

LOL...what a foolish statement...HE IS one of two black guys in the house....better send more than 100 bucks, he'll need it. Teabaggers love to play the race card when they have no answers for the repubs ign orat behavor.

[Ernest Adams]

02:53 PM on 07/21/2011

Hmmmmm... I'm going to take guess at your question... "how come she targeted the only Black guy in the GOP?...

Perhaps it because she's the head of the DNC and she's from Florida and she's a Democratic Rep...

and he's from Florida and he's a rEPUBLICAN'T rep who is IN deep danger of losing his seat back to the Democrats....

Could that be why she targeted allen pest....

[Ernest Adams]

04:15 PM on 07/21/2011

Also he is not the only rEPUBLICAN'T IN THE gop...