Allen West: GOP Leadership 'Sold Us Down The Road' With Payroll Tax Cut Deal

Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.) on Friday claimed that Republican leadership had sold the party "down the road" by agreeing to a two-month deal to extend the payroll tax cut.

During a radio interview on WMAL's "Morning Majority," West explained that he was "upset" with the outcome of the payroll tax cut fight. He said it came about because of the Senate GOP's quick passage of the "pathetic" short-term package, followed by the refusal of the House GOP leadership to hold out for the one-year deal they had originally called for.

West suggested that the move could make for some tense moments when the House returns to work this month.

"When we get back to Washington, D.C., the first House GOP conference, we're gonna have to have some serious discussions about how do we get ourselves on the same sheet of music, because we really felt that our leadership did not stand against the Senate Republican leadership, who kinda sold us down the road," he said.

West was one of the more outspoken opponents of the two-month deal, both before and after its passage.

In an interview with Fox News in the middle of the standoff in December, West called such an agreement a "totally unacceptable" gimmick, and signaled that he might even be willing to delay the holiday recess until both bodies could hammer out a deal to pass the payroll tax cut for an entire year.

After this course of action fell through, he said that he felt betrayed, "kind of like Charlie Brown when he goes up to kick the ball with Lucy."

He even took to his Facebook page to express his disgust.

"I cannot support this, but it seems the politics of demagoguery have won over policy and principle with the concession to enact tax policy on two-month basis," West wrote. "This is a sad day for America and further evidences our continuing decline. Men and women of principle are becoming a dying breed in this Republic."

Watch a clip of West on WMAL's "Morning Majority" below, via the Daily Caller, or watch the whole segment here:

Comments

[ScubieDee]

11:51 AM on 01/09/2012

We have to focus our attention on the people in these districts that picked selfish foolish devisive congress members. Those elected do not even follow what is good for their voters. They start to dance to a tune only the rich and powerful can hear. Remember all of these teapartiers were against ANY payroll deal then they were for one only if we cancelled the new healthcare plan and eliminated EPA then they suddenly wanted to negotiate for a year's worth of benefits to working poor. Get a grip voters ! keep track of these gimmicks that are set to ruin our nation and reconsider voting for West and others in our communities. Games are over.

[TheOneIndependent]

08:20 AM on 01/09/2012

Sad day in america when people listen to idiots like West or Romney or Gingrich or Paul. These people who will fight against a middle class tax break tooth and nail but support any unfunded tax break for the top money makers. How can we give the middle class and poor a tax break, the have to pay for the ones we already gave big business?

[Mythoughts808]

01:40 AM on 01/14/2012

Oh so what? We should listen to your boy Obama? He screwed you more then any GOP could or would. But maybevyou like that.

[Alexromelo]

08:12 AM on 01/09/2012

The operative word he used is "sold". Hint-Hint Mr. outsoken black republican, just like slaves were sold and you're actually shocked by this?. Dumb-Ass!.

[thank me later]

07:49 AM on 01/09/2012

I guess this idiot didn't Herman Cain's memo !

[calmis]

07:45 AM on 01/09/2012

So Sad! et Him out of there!

[Ninja n da Grass]

06:55 AM on 01/09/2012

The Top House Ni66a in America

[sskepticall]

06:43 AM on 01/09/2012

The sad day for America was in 2010 when Florida sent this egomaniac to Washington.

Voters in Florida have been burned by voting in people who actually have indicators about their "issues" (West's Army record) which portend what will be their leadership type.

Why all the surprises about the Governor? Did he mislead them or did they not vet him well enough.

Voters need to show up and not stay home. Get involved. Vote in Primaries and General Elections.

[omegapoint]

01:09 AM on 01/09/2012

Has anyone told him the story about the near death snake nursed back to health by the little lady?

[BoshSpong]

10:17 PM on 01/08/2012

In this day and age, when technology leaps and bounds seemingly conquering all and advancing full speed - yet - an insane clown like this man gets elected to congress, in a previously "solid Democratic district".

How can anyone who has a smidgen of intelligence and understanding elect such a dangerously unbalanced mental case to congress?

It is baffling...

[happyblackman]

07:54 PM on 01/08/2012

I still have to ask how does this guy sleep at night?

[chazzman4]

07:40 PM on 01/08/2012

mr west, did you consider the repercusion on the working poor if NO DEAL WAS STRUCK? You are in congress to do the people's work, not the gop. God Bless America with KH's like you in congress. (Knuckle Heads)
It is in the hands of the people 2012.

[mother10]

07:22 PM on 01/08/2012

where is his mom and dad ? WTF

[mother10]

07:19 PM on 01/08/2012

DONKEY !

[Lisa1129]

07:51 PM on 01/08/2012

Hee haw.

[not so sure]

06:56 PM on 01/08/2012

Democrats are hoping you stand firm to your white masters in the GOP senate and really show them what great principles you have. They should listen to you because you are so much smarter than they are.

[Edward Wilkes]

08:24 AM on 01/09/2012

When Blacks are in power they become black masters... (not for sure) but I'm for sure! Power breeds the worst in all colors... GOT IT!!! UNDERSTAND!!!! COMPRENDE'

[TexasBahr]

04:48 PM on 01/08/2012

Democrats wanted a 1 year deal as well until the republicans inserted a poison pill as a condition for the 1 year deal.

[blackmanx2011]

06:45 PM on 01/08/2012

West is a straight up chump of an individual….there’s a more lame sort of individual…yet why bother.....