Posted on 11/28/2012 3:25:16 PM PST by smoothsailing
November 26, 2012
By George Bennett
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
STUART — A defeated but upbeat U.S. Rep. Allen West told hundreds of supporters that he’ll continue to be a “voice” in politics during a gathering Monday night.
West, a tea party favorite whose fiery rhetoric brought him national followers and critics, lost by less than 1 percent to Democrat Patrick Murphy in a bitter, expensive race for the Palm Beach-Treasure Coast House District 18 seat.
With irregularities in St. Lucie County’s vote count leading to partial recounts and court challenges, West didn’t concede the race until last week.
Between 200 and 300 West supporters crowded into his campaign headquarters Monday for barbecue and thanks from the one-term congressman. In classic West fashion, the retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel’s remarks included references to three military battles (Chosin Reservoir in 1950, the Battle of the Bulge in 1944 and the Battle of Trenton in 1776) and a quote from Thomas Paine.
“Leaders don’t need a title to be able to lead. They can continue to stand up for the principles and values that make this the longest-running constitutional republic that the world has ever known. So you will not see my voice disappearing,” West, R-Palm Beach Gardens, said, drawing loud applause.
He read Paine’s “These are the times that try men’s souls” quote and professed his faith in America.
“We will overcome this fiscal crisis. We will overcome this energy independence crisis. We will defeat the enemies that want to destroy us and our best ally in the world that is Israel. We will be triumphant. The harder the conflict, the greater the triumph will be,” West said.
“So don’t come here tonight crying over your barbecue. Come here tonight and understand that at this place at this time there will be an awakening that will go forth all across the United States of America and you can tell your children that on the 26th of November 2012 that you stood here right where it began.”
Cindy Lucas of the Martin 912 Tea Party Committee encouraged the group to be ready to “help Allen if he wants to run again — and we’re all crossing our fingers.”
The crowd applauded and West smiled.
State Rep. Gayle Harrell, who ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2008, said she’s received “lots of phone calls” about running in 2014 but suggested she and other Republicans would step aside if West decided to run.
“Allen West is the man of the hour,” said Harrell, R-Stuart.
Several West loyalists said they’d like to see the congressman challenge Murphy in two years, but Julia Webster of Stuart had even higher hopes.
“The guy as far as I’m concerned is the perfect candidate,” Webster said. “I would push him for president. Really.”
When America restores our constitutional republic, there’ll be plenty of room for Allen West and others of his kind and caliber—and work to be done, too.
LTC West is a great American...perhaps he should look into talk radio.
Echo of Sarah Palin! My 2016 Dream Team...
God bless and keep him.
True patriot warrior.
Our Constitutional Republic is not going to be restored except by bloodshed. At this point in time, the Republican Party has no use for and does not want in its rakks people of the caliber of Allen West and Sarah Palin to name two.
What a team they would make!
Another fine Conservative stabbed in the back by the crooked, decrepit GOP-E.
I wish West would team up with Palin and the two of them formally launch a TEA PARTY, allowing us to get rid of the RINO Party.
Allen West is a patriot and man of honor, we haven’t seen the last of him by a long shot.
That they did not re-elect Allen West with overwhelming numbers, only shows how sick the country is. As a Texan, I do not feel that my contribution to his re-election campaign in Florida was my loss.
My better half would serve me papers as I work my @$$ off to make it happen when they say "go"..
They would have so many ground volunteers the GOP's head would spin knowing they are done....
He will be back and when he returns he will come back in victory —ready and willing to restore the Republic. More and more it looks like we may have to work underground before we can over though the corrupt Emperor and the evil crew.
They’ve been my Dream Team for a long time. Let’s just secede and elect them ourselves!
“No one articulates conservative principles better than Allen West. No other potential contender has his military experience, or demonstrated so much character under fire. His term in the House adds breadth to his life experience.
When God shuts a door, He opens a window, Allen West believes. Losing his House seat may be God’s way of telling Mr. West it’s time to move to a larger stage.”
Read more: http://old.post-gazette.com/pg/12332/1279902-373.stm#ixzz2DZ23U1EP
“Constitutional”? Just curious ‘Wolf, what are your thoughts on the Nazi Germany style, anti-American constitution, NDAA bill (Indefinite arrest/detention of American citizens here at home by our own military for any ‘terrorist’ type reasons the Feds come up with, no trial, no attorney, no due process, indefinitely) that was passed by our fearless leaders in DC?
I'm on some WhiteHut list for signingtwo secession petitions. I'd work every day for them, if they would show the desire to run. Tho many naysayers want to pan her, IMHO, they would sweep the conservatives, moderates, and lots of women.
I'd just love to see all those talking heads explode! Those two would make a difference to our country, restoring true hope and making a drastic change...
An excellent piece and the above excerpt is dead on the mark.
I suppose that the GOP establishment is now breathing a sigh of relief. Now, they can go about the business of capitulating to the democrats in the way they have grown accustomed. They really did not want to have someone who was serious about conservative principles in office. It makes the rest of them look bad.
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