Allen Bernard West is the U.S. Representative for Florida’s 22nd congressional district. West attended a town hall meeting in Jensen Beach, located in the district in which he will be running for re-election in a new seat. At the meeting he was asked how many members of the Democratic Party are card-carrying Marxist Socialists and he responded by saying that he believes there are 78-81 members (in Congress) of the Democratic Party who belong to the Communist Party.
Angela Melvin is West’s spokeswoman. She defended his comments and clarified to whom West was referring:
“The Congressman was referring to the 76 members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. The Communist Party has publicly referred to the Progressive Caucus as its allies. The Progressive Caucus speaks for itself. These individuals certainly aren’t proponents of free markets or individual economic freedom.”
Apparently this really ticked off some people on Twitter:
RT @Karoli: I wonder how Allen West would like it if progressives told town halls he was a member of the totalitarian dictator party.
Rep. Allen West is an EMBARRASSMENT!!!
Allen West is perfect example of a radical right wing extremist Return to 1950’s McCarthyism Insanity rules the right, no other explanation
Joe Scarborough Incensed Over Rep. Allen West Comment On ‘Communist’ American Legislators: ‘Meet My Wrath’ | Mediaite – http://t.co/rquPSZcQ
Allen West is the male version of Ann Coulter. He has no policy, no game and no mind…so he makes stuff up. As inflammatory as possible…
Allen West is that crazy uncle who ignorantly spouts off conspiracy theories who family ignores, but, republicans vote into office.
Libero Della Piana is Vice President of the Communist Party USA. He says that there are no members of Congress who are members of the Communist Party: “Applicants have to apply through the national or local organizations and pay dues. Trust me — if a member of Congress applied to join the Communist Party we would know about it.”