Posted on 11/10/2008 3:55:40 AM PST by shove_it
To all my friends and supporters, I know you are a bit disheartened but you need not be. I can not tell you how many calls and e-mails I received this past week congratulating our campaign. In ten months, with no support from the State or National GOP organizations, and with a small operating budget of $600K, we were able to garner 45% of the vote. Over 130K people in District 22 voted for us on Novemeber 4th. This has sent a huge message to many across the district, South Florida, and indeed the Nation. We ran against a career politician, incumbent, with $4 million in his campaign coffers. We built an incredible grassroots base that was comprised of Republicans, Independents, and Democrats. We showed the people true and devoted leadership.
I have been asked by many of you if I will run for this seat again for 2010. I want you to know that my family and I are heavily considering that possibility, but we have not made a decision. This is not over, and it is not about me, but rather America. I need you all to understand that no one person shall ever destroy the United States of America. There could be some dark days and hard times ahead but we shall not succumb to any devastating far left socialist agenda. America is an indomitable spirit that is within all of us, and no one can ever take that away. Our Country was forged in hard times and as Thomas Paine stated, "These are the times which try Men's souls, when the summer Soldier and the sunshine patriot shall fade away".
We do not need any summer Soldiers and sunshine patriots at this time. We need dedicated Americans who will stand and fight to ensure our foundational principles remain the focus of our system of governance. If history teaches us anything, we know that this election cycle may lead to a mid term electoral victory for the reestablishment of strong conservative values. However, paramount to that premise is that we remake the image of this GOP to recommit to those values, define who we are, and stop compromising our principles for perceived, or ill desired, popularity.
We stand at a great moment in our nation's history. America will seek out true leadership in a few short years, not resounding rhetoric and grandiose settings. Americans will be looking for Courage, Competence, Commitment, and Character, and we shall be right here to give them that.
Therefore, do not be disheartened but demand better from the GOP leadership, tell them to "Lead, Follow, or get the Hell out of the way." If they wish to be irrelevant, not redefine the party, and not get back to basics, they must step aside and allow new focused and determined leaders to emerge. This is where we enter.
I am committed to you. God bless you all for your support and encouragement of this past year. We have much to do and the clock has started. I am a better man and candidate after this experience, and look forward to one day being your Congressional Representative. WE PRESS ON!
Go West Sincere Regards, Allen
bump one to watch
To Allen West:
I’m one of those South Floridians that proudly voted for you this year. Hope to see you out next time.
Bully for Colonel West! There’s not much more he could have done, especially when his district is populated by people who have no problem being called rednecks and racists by their current elected Congress critter.
I too voted for Allen and wish I could have done more.
I look forward to helping in 2010.
That was Murtha not Klein who called his constituents racits and rednecks. He was opposed by Bill Russell.
The GOP stinks. We need a real effort at a new party. Either the Constitution Party or the Conservative Party. With men and women like Col. West and with the help of Rush Limbaugh, Mark Levin, Bill Bennett, Bobby Jindal, Sarah Palin, Laura Ingraham, etc. we could form a truly conservative party in the model of our Founding Fathers. Let’s get back to our roots and dumpt the dead Elephant.
I am so proud to have supported this American Hero even from here in Virginia!
This is exactly the type of candidate we need.
One question, what is the skinny with him getting no state or nat’l support from the RNC?
I can't support the libertarian party. They are too weird. We need a party that represents the principles of freedom that our nation fought and won. The face of the party needs to be men like Allen West, Joe the Plumber, Sarah Palin, Bobby Jindal, and all the hard working men and women of our nation.
LtC West does not come close to meeting the Rat lite qualifications for funding by RNC.
What a shame that he lost.
It’s a shame.
I will gladly support West if he decides to run again, if he starts the fundraising now - I will contribute now. Along with Bill Russell and a handful of others, I will do my best to financially help to get them elected.
I think that we should form a group here in South Florida with the Lt. Col. to figure out how to get our country back. He would be a great figure head.
I am not a south Floridian but am certain he has a large enough following to do what you propose. West and Bill Russell are already part of this group:
http://iraqvetsforcongress.com/candidates.htm
I don’t know why this organization did not get more support or media recognition, but it is a shame. I believe the group will continue and hopefully the men in this group that did no get elected will run again.
They got no media coverage because they are republicans. I am going to contact his campaign and get started soon.
Shame on the Republican Party for not highlighting these men.
Please post on West if you find out anything, I truly believe he is the future of the party.
TAB
He got help at a rally from Sen Martinez and Rudy was also there. But it was mostly nothing.
We actually petitioned the GOP to allow him to speak at the convention and got nothing.
He got some money from me in CT. Next time he’ll get more.
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