Posted on 10/12/2009 4:37:01 PM PDT by Jet Jaguar
Allen West, a retired Army colonel who is running for the second time against Democratic Rep. Ron Klein in Florida's 22nd congressional district, West, is one of a small but determined group of black Republicans running for seats in the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives in 2010.
When former President Jimmy Carter said racism was an underlying factor in attacks on President Obama, it's safe to say he had no intention of boosting Allen West's campaign for Congress in Florida's Broward County.
But according to West, a retired Army colonel who is running for the second time against Democratic Rep. Ron Klein in Florida's 22nd congressional district, that is exactly what has happened.
"Since (Democrats) have thrown out the race card, it has made me more appealing," says West, one of a small but determined group of black Republicans running for seats in the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives in 2010.
Eager to overturn the "conventional wisdom" that the GOP is mainly a white bread party that offers few opportunities for minorities, these black Republicans believe they can attract increasingly agitated conservatives, as well as independents, to make 2010 their year.
They also conceded in interviews that the injection of race -- a familiar theme since Obama's election last year -- has given them a certain edge and authority when they speak out against the president's agenda. Because they're black, they say, they can lead the charge against Democratic policies without being called "racist." In fact, they say, their skin color may make them more attractive candidates.
"A lot of people who don't want to be part of Obama's policies are being called racist," West said. "Then they say, 'Hey, this guy, Colonel West -- he's black and I support him.'"
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
But you know, he’s not really black, he’s republican.
Ethics, Liberty, and Free Market Capitalism are all that count.
Go Republicans in 2010!
For the love of pete, people ... can we simply elect a few good conservatives??? I'm so sick of these color games.
I think the black politicians are wrong. Thanks to Obozo and his overuse of the race card, white america has lost their guilt. White people voted him in..does he realize that? And now, I think many see that mistakes are made when taking into account the color of someones skin. I dont think skin color will ever count again.
Don’t care about his skin color, Alan West just seems to be a good guy.
Here in Maryland we have Charles Lollar. A marine Major in the reserves running agains Steny Hoyer.
When asked about racism he pointed to his arm and said I am black. There sits my wife she is too. What racism
He stated in his opening Candidacy that he was proud that Obama , a black, had won, but that Obama’s policies were bad.
Racism doesnt play into Socialism, homosexuals as Czars, a Pedophile as School Czar, tax cheats, terrorists like Bill Ayres, these things have nothing to do with racism and everything to do with a man set on destroying America by destroying its economic sustem.
Black Republicans Say 2010 Will Be Their Year
All two of them?
Obama the closet racist broke the race card when he let his own racism slip out. Too much seat time in the Rev Wright’s church. Timing is everything.
Any black that supports the Republic, freedom and liberty is my kind of American, regardless of color — Is that redundant?
I actually asked some black people if they like being called African-American — they all said no, they thought it demeaning of them., made them feel like only half American.
West came within 5 per centage points from unseating the incumbent Klein WITHOUT ANY RNC HELP last time around.
They darn well better be carrying his water this time.
Obama took the race thing, back to the 50s. You can put him right in line with Sharpton and Jackson...only they didnt succeed as well as the so called president.
Without winnning the black vote 90-10 for the last 40 years, the democrats would be a collection of incompetent, bitter, out of power loons as they would not have won any national election or legislative body.
Anytime a black republican runs, they can expect extra special attention from the democrats and the liberal media smear machines.
They desperately need the blacks and any black who dares to step off the plantation will be viciously attacked.
Me too. I hope he gets more support this time.
“West came within 5 per centage points from unseating the incumbent Klein WITHOUT ANY RNC HELP last time around.”
I’ve been contributing to West’s campaign, even though I don’t live in FL. Whenever the RNC calls, I tell them I only send money to specific candidates. No more support for RINO’s!
I donated to West’s campaign two years a go and just recently when I received an email from him stating that he is running again.
I admire him for all that he put on the line when he fired his gun next to a terrorist’s head to get information to save his men from an ambush. Admiring a politician is very rare but this man has what it takes.
All two of them?
Could have been three but keyes moved on.
There are more than two:
Oh, this guy is a good one. He spoke at the Freeper convention in DC on 9/12.
Don’t tell me I needed the “/sarc” - but blacks not on the plantation are just a rounding error.
This article makes me feel conflicted. I’m glad if some conservative Republicans can get seats, but on the other hand I’m not happy about it being partially about their skin color and that by being black they can more easily criticize Obama. I don’t like that I don’t care who the candidate is. Screw this notion that if you’re black you’re allowed to criticize Obama, but if you’re white you have to be afraid of being called a racist. I don’t think these guys should be letting that stand by pointing out their blackness. It gives it some creedance and that’s not right.
They’re going to need to get to work persuading their friends and relatives to vote the right way...instead of the wrong way...
better to do it sooner than later. Not much time left.
But sometimes politics can “turn on a dime”.
I really enjoyed meeting Col. West at the Free Republic Convention, the weekend of the 9-12 Rally! He’s a wonderful speaker with excellent ideas! I wish him well in his run for Congress!
What are you running for? ...got my vote.
ping
RINOs OUT in 2010!
Oh, I envy you...I would love to meet him...
bookmark
May I respectfully suggest you read up on Lt.Col. West - you don't get more conservative, Constitutional loving than Allen West.
WE need this man - even were he purple with fuchsia polka dots.
I find it odd that his book has disappeared off the radar -
Those who remember who Lt.Col West is - the hero of Iraq who, after 22 years in the service, and after ‘scaring’ a terrorist into divulging a planned attack that would kill his men = was drummed out of the service (But his men lived and he said he'd do it all over again, for his men.)
Here is a couple clips - LISTEN TO IT ALL! Don't be knee-jerking that this all about color - WEst ran last election for Congress too - but got little to no support from Fl GOP - ‘not his turn yet?”
http://www.wikio.com/video/1067831
Watch these video segments from last month in Boca R...the singer, Dion, introduces Lt. Col. West - You find ONE other politician country wide who understands what our Constitution is about = and the fact that we are a REPUBLIC - you name them.
Listen to how his parents taught him -
I suggest you all GOOGLE Lt. Col. West and read up! We need this man.
2012: PALIN/WEST
You needn’t have spent so much time typing. I never said he wasn’t conservative, I was disappointed that he was talking about his color making him a good candidate.
LLS
There are many... the state run press lies to you.
LLS
LTC (ret) West is an honorable man who fell afoul of the DivArty Commander, a true Courtney Massengale who should have been relieved. It was a shameful episode.
I have emailed Mikey Steele and strongly suggested that the GOP work WITH the NBRA.org to get the GOP Agenda out to Blacks.
And what has he done? Nada. WHY?
The GOP has NO written agenda.
I support candidates and I refuse to support the GOP.
I wish the NBRA could take a more active part in politics.
And no, I’m tan, not black. I just think that Conservatives should band together to help each other without regard to anything that makes us “different from each other.”
Wow, since 2001! Quite the successful DU mole, aren't you?
If he’s not a rino, I hope goes for it all the way to victory! I wish him the best, not because of race, but because he would (I hope) not support liberal causes.
Lt. Col Allen West Remembers 9-11 at Free Republic Candlelight Vigil
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeOkp8ZpvqA&feature=channel_page
Now thats funny.
Thanks for that info!
http://www.facebook.com/ElectAllenWest?ref=nf
Bookmark - listen - support -
He’s another Sarah Palin - indeed - they’d make a great team
DU mole, please do us favor down here and stay up in useless canada.
Six! That 3 times better!!!!
Really? How does that work exactly? Are race politics OK or not?
Sounds reasonable to me...
Mouse over (with the left button down) ALL of my post that got you all riled up.
I couldn't agree more.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.