Allen West: I Might Leave Black Caucus Over Lawmaker's 'Lynching' Comment (VIDEO)

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.) said Wednesday he is considering leaving the Congressional Black Caucus after one of its leaders said Tea Party-backed lawmakers want to see black people lynched.

West's news comes a day after a video circulated on the Internet showing Rep. Andre Carson (D-Ind.), the CBC whip, telling attendees at a recent CBC jobs event that Tea Party lawmakers "would love to see you and me ... hanging on a tree."

"When you start using words such as lynching ... that’s a very reprehensible word," West said on "FOX and Friends." "I think we should move away from using that type of language."

"One of the things I'm starting to think about is reconsidering my membership in the Congressional Black Caucus because I don't think they're moving toward the right manner in which we are going to solve the problems, not just in the black community, but all across the United States of America," he said.

West, the lone Republican in the caucus, said Carson's remark is just the latest example of how the caucus spends too much time attacking the Tea Party and not enough time addressing the "serious problems" in the black community, like unemployment and inner-city violence. Last week, CBC member Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) caused a stir by saying the Tea Party "can go straight to hell."

"To try to all of a sudden have a scapegoat called the Tea Party ... that's just a distraction," West said.

The Tea Party "really stands for basic constitutional principles" like fiscal responsibility and free enterprise, said the Florida Republican. "I can't see why anyone would not want to agree with that and align themselves with those principles."

Other Tea Party lawmakers are taking notice of, and offense at, the recent comments by CBC members.

"I'm a TEA Party caucus member and have spoken at two tea party rallies. I am also NOT a racist. Maxine & Andre - get a grip," Rep. Dennis Ross (R-Fla.) tweeted on Wednesday.

UPDATE: 6:55 p.m. -- In a statement issued later Wednesday, West said Carson's remarks were an example of "race-baiting."

"When individuals believe they are defeated in a political disagreement, they normally resort to race-baiting, which in my opinion is, in itself, racist," West said. He called on CBC Chairman Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) to condemn Carson's and Waters' comments. If that doesn't happen, "I will have to seriously reconsider my membership within the organization," he said.

Comments

[dgreen1071]

02:02 AM on 09/30/2011

He has self-esteem issues and thinks his behavior is how to be a man.

[dgreen1071]

01:46 AM on 09/30/2011

This guy sold slaves in Africa.

[Constance Goforth]

11:48 PM on 09/06/2011

what's racist is a congressional caucus with influence in the federal government who has a membership criteria based on race.

[Arthur Spooner]

11:54 AM on 09/02/2011

The 80's just called and they want their high top fade back.

[seealaska]

10:29 AM on 09/02/2011

Col West and Mr Cain, do yourself a favor. Please have coffee with Gen Powell and Condi. They may tell you that you are indeed in the wrong party . Wake up my friends. The Republican , especially the Tea Party is a all white affairs.

[GEORGE W TUSH]

10:23 AM on 09/02/2011

The kind of people you used to cross the street to avoid are now all running for President.

[john whalen]

09:08 AM on 09/02/2011

Wheres Obama now telling the Black Caucas to tone down the rhetoric?!!!

[john whalen]

09:05 AM on 09/02/2011

This guy Andre Carson is a TOOL!!!!

[Nick Lahanas]

09:21 PM on 09/01/2011

The truth hurts, doesn't it, Rep. West?

[john whalen]

09:10 AM on 09/02/2011

Why what acts of violence have you observed Tea Party members involved in?!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jesvey]

09:18 AM on 09/02/2011

Actually, he does a nice job of pointing out the fact that the so called black leaders do nothing to advance their cause other than to blame others for their situation. Unemployment, inner city violence and all the other issues were there way before any tea party came around. But its convenient to blame someone for your problems.
Truth hurts, doesn't it Nick?

[SkippingDog]

05:24 PM on 09/01/2011

Why is it we are not being permitted to post anything regarding the reason West left the service?

[gonealreb]

03:19 AM on 09/02/2011

It's easily available with a google search. He won't be missed in the CBC. I've always wondered how a man as bright as he seems to be (the last year of his military career excepted) could align himself with the Tea Party. It's now obvious that Party is more important to him than the community he represents.

[buc]

06:12 AM on 09/02/2011

He's not that bright, and he's surely not the sharpest knife in the draw.

[Mar51]

05:22 AM on 09/03/2011

I guess you think that all black people must think alike?

[ycr]

04:32 PM on 09/01/2011

How about that Maxine Waters. Did you hear her go off on Obama? She needs to go too. I can't believe she criticized O and the people on these posts are letting her get away with it. What is going on? We need to call for her to resign IMMIDEDIATELY.

[pattyg77]

05:20 PM on 09/01/2011

We need to call for your ignorant a-- to stop posting/typing your ignorant comments...

[RubyMontana]

05:21 PM on 09/01/2011

I guess when you are a minority you can say as you want, LOL! Double standard. And I'm tiring of it.

[sunshine14]

04:18 PM on 09/01/2011

sorry wrong topic

[sunshine14]

04:17 PM on 09/01/2011

Republicans have promised jobs  since 2001 2003 was a Republican  reason for passing a new Tax code policy for giving wealthy tax cuts, was to create jobs.  Where are the jobs after 12 years Republicans of wealthy tax cuts? Was republicans job creation and solution by giving away wealth tax cuts, really ever meant or where given to create jobs? Job reports going on now 12 years bare witness against republicans that their wealthy tax cuts create jobs.

Why do all ask this Pres where are the jobs, instead of asking Republicans were are your wealthy tax cut incentives in creating jobs? This campaign election should be asking Republicans were are the jobs they promised when giving 12 years of wealth tax cuts? Why should the Pres even be looking to creating jobs, republicans already took care of that right in 2001 2003 by their wealthy tax cuts? Where are the jobs Republicans?

[RubyMontana]

05:25 PM on 09/01/2011

We could all write in GWB, LOL! Might THAT solve the problem?

But I digress. You are living in the past where Clinton got sexual favors and Cheney owned Halliburton. Obama ran for Prez BASED on those errors and how he could CHANGE all that. Is it too much to ask that he keep his promise?

[gonealreb]

03:32 AM on 09/02/2011

I don't believe anyone could foresee the absurd Congress we have put up with. Obama can't make Congress act on legislation, his powers are limited to the Veto or pocket Veto. In fact the House has voted down legislation from the Senate before reading it and at least once prior to reading or even receiving a copy.

[buc]

06:15 AM on 09/02/2011

Ruby you are one hundred percent correct...

[farberj]

07:44 PM on 09/01/2011

ask dear leader,it's his watch.

[MakersMark]

04:01 PM on 09/01/2011

I wonder if the remark was true.

[bandguy]

03:53 PM on 09/01/2011

Lynching doesn't discriminate by race.

[blackhawaiian]

05:33 PM on 09/01/2011

It does discriminate, because most of the previous victims, have been black.

[bandguy]

10:08 AM on 09/02/2011

People have been lynched since time began. The term refers to anyone hanged without due process, not just blacks after the civil war. Recently 3 DEA officers working in Mexico were lynched and I don't think race had anything to do with it. What I mean't was the term has no racial overtones unless you take it that way.

[Orlandus Green]

11:46 PM on 09/01/2011

No discrimination at all, it just seem as though when those random nooses were swinging some how they always got filled with black necks.