Why Did Florida Fire Allen West?

Allen West's Political Demise Explained
FILE - This Oct. 4, 2011 file photo shows Rep. Allen West, R-Fla. during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington. West is still fighting for votes two days after Election Day. But now, he's doing it in the courtroom. West is the tea party idol from South Florida who found himself 2,456 votes behind Democratic rival Patrick Murphy in Tuesday's unofficial tally. (AP Photo/Harry Hamburg, File)
FILE - This Oct. 4, 2011 file photo shows Rep. Allen West, R-Fla. during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington. West is still fighting for votes two days after Election Day. But now, he's doing it in the courtroom. West is the tea party idol from South Florida who found himself 2,456 votes behind Democratic rival Patrick Murphy in Tuesday's unofficial tally. (AP Photo/Harry Hamburg, File)

Allen West is still surprised that Florida's voters have kicked him out of Congress after only two years. "Why would anyone want to get rid of a person that is born and raised in the inner city, third of four generations in the military--just an American success story?" asks West, from the living room of his Palm Beach Gardens home overlooking a pool and golf course. "I'm not some guy that came from a rich political family or anything like that," he says. "I'm just an everyday guy, but I have a passion for my country."

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