Allen West was born in Atlanta, Georgia on Feb. 7th, 1961. He is the first African-American Republican Congressman from Florida since Josiah Wells was elected 135 years ago, in 1876. He comes from a family of career military disciplinarians, with his father and brother serving in the military, and his mother working as a civilian employee of the U.S Marine Corps. West enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1983, after graduating from the University of Tennessee. He holds a bachelor of arts degree from UT, and also holds a masters degree from the University of Kansas State in political science. He received a masters degree in military arts and sciences from the U.S Army Command and General Staff Officer college. This is a very intelligent man who succeeded at very high levels of leadership positions within the U.S military. He has also proven himself to be a good strong leader in a combat, which says a lot about his character.
Military career and controversy. (Now) Lieutenant West entered the Army on Nov. 1st, 1983 and served a total of almost 22 years of service in the U.S Army. His career is marked by a constant perseverance to excel, as is shown by his rapid advancement through the ranks. Neither his complete dedication, nor devout Patriotism to this country should ever be called into question. This man is a proven protector of American freedom, who has put his life on the line to prove it, time, and time again. While fighting in Taji, Iraq in 2003, a controversy occurred while West was interrogating a civilian Iraqi police officer whom West had been told had information about attacks on American troops in the area. During this interrogation LTC West was asked to assist in trying to obtain information that the others present felt that the prisoner was withholding. LTC West was accused of firing his pistol past the prisoner’s head while trying to make him give up more information.
Yes, the big controversy was about LTC West, an American troop commander at the time, “frightening” an Iraqi in trying to obtain information from him to protect his own men. In the events that followed, LTC West, an American soldier fighting in the pits of hell for this country, was found to have violated articles 128 and 134 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice for “frightening” an Iraqi. This type of political correctness results in the inability to defeat the enemy and ever pull our troops out of Afghanistan and yes Iraq too. It will also have a negative effect on future recruiting when potential soldiers learn of this situation. LTC West is a true American hero and the shame lies on the faces of the politically correct military leaders who let this travesty put a black mark on LTC West’s stellar and dedicated career.
During his hearing, LTC West was asked by his lawyer if he would fire his pistol again under similar circumstances. His response to that question is all we need to know about this incident; “If it’s about the lives of my men and their safety, I’d go through hell with a gasoline can.” This shows nothing but pure dedication to his men and our country, no matter how politically correct military leaders tried to spin it into something else. In support of that last statement, a letter supporting LTC West was signed by 95 members of Congress and sent to the Secretary of the Army. My only question there, is if the Secretary of the Army ever grow a pair, and take this undeserved black mark off of LTC West’s military record, or will they continue to play footsies with the Taliban and Al Qaeda while American troops die? This situation was the direct result of the newer politically correct rules of engagement that our politically entrenched military rulers have handed down in recent years. General Patton must be rolling over in his grave about this nonsense.
Career after military service. LTC West ran for Congress in 2007, losing to incumbent Ron Klein by 9% of the vote. Not to be deterred, West spoke at the CPAC in 2010 and caught the attention of Sarah Palin and the new Teaparty grassroots movement sweeping across the nation. With his denouncement of the Left falsely claiming anyone is racist who opposed Obama and the Democrats , his stellar military career, and his Patriotic views on what needs to be done to restore America, LTC Allen West trounced Ron Klein by the same 9% that he had lost by in the prior election. Oh and if you didn’t notice, Allen West is also of African American heritage. He just doesn’t run around the country announcing this in a veiled attempt to cajole the vote from one race of people or the other . This is a man who was elected on pure American values and the unconditional love for his country he exhibits, period. Leave the race-based vote-begging charades of the left to the Democrats, where it is has been for the last 100 years or so.
Official announcement on 2012 Presidential Aspirations of Congressman West. In a telephone interview with West’s Chief Communications Director, Angela Sachitano stated today that, while Congressman West is honored and humbled by the people mentioning his name as a possible Presidential or Vice Presidential candidate in 2012, Congressman West will not be running for either of those positions. He feels he has a job to do as a new freshman Congressman in learning the ways of our political system and becoming an effective representative that can help ensure the preservation of American freedoms and true American values that have made America the greatest nation on earth.
Congressman West is a realist at his core and understands he lacks the political experience to even consider a run for President of the United States in 2012. His realistic and humble approach towards the future is a very refreshing ideology when we look at the state of American politics today. With this freshman Congressman’s propensity for earning fast promotions, his constantly proving to be a very effective leader in our military, coupled with the displine and drive to succeed in restoring America towards becoming a country with a government of the people, by the people and for the people, we can rest assured that Congressman West will become a steady leader in Congress for years to come. We very well could be talking about President Allen West one day in the very near future, but it just won’t be in 2012.
I think Allen West would make a great President one day and hope he will seriously consider it some day. I don’t have a problem with him shooting next our enemies heads to get information. I think we should use any means necessary to get information even if we have to cut one finger at a time off. We have gotten to a point in America where we are more concerned for our enemy than our own people.
I reside in Birmingham, England, but I would still vote for Allen West if the opportunity came my way. We need more people like him if we are to defeat the evils of Islam and the evils that will undoubtedly come afterwards.
It’s clear LTC/Congressman Allen West is committed to serving in the US House for his constituents and acknowledges the need to prove himself as a statesman and a legislator. I completely respect him for that. However, if his constituents would recognize how desperately the country needs a man of his character, training, integrity, courage and knowledge, I’d like to think they’d release him from his “obligation.” A Congressman can be replaced, and I’d hope they’d get a good one. But, that Representative is one of 435. This man is EXACTLY what this country needs, and I have no idea he could easily defeat BHO in 2012. I think the encouragement needs to come from his district and his wife, with a sign or two from God, as well (who, besides his wife, is the other One he will follow). We need him now, not in 4 or 8 years!
I meant to say, “I have NO DOUBT he could easily defeat BHO…..”
Thank you for sharing your thoughts in here Linda and Carolyn. I too believe he will make a good leader one day, and if he was pushed hard enough, he seems like the type of man to not shy away from a Presidential run in 2012. That said, his history of military service and leadership shows a man who carefully contemplates any critical decisions in his life, or career planning.
I personally think honesty, integrity and a true love for this country are the most important qualifications for a future President. LT COL West has also shown to be very smart and calculating in such things as picking military leaders to serve with him in combat. That proves he is a great judge of charactor, and that right there should help him in picking the right advisors to help him fix America.
Its a big job, and loyal teamwork is critical to be an effective President. No doubt LT COL West would excel in all phases. Looking at the rest of the candidates in the coming months should shake out all the pretenders and leave us with some interesting choices. In my humble opinion, the moderates and RINOS should not even be considered, but they will be, because the old GOP controls the system, which sucks. Right now, I see no real solid conservative before us making a real run, which makes me quite sad. Our future hangs in the balance.
Allen West has my vote~~he has all the credentials I need to see to make a fine president in 2012. I am very concerned about America’s future and we need a strong personality to throw BHO off his throne. I agree that we can’t wait for an election beyond 2012, we need Allen West now.
Sadly, Mr. West has joined the White Supermacist Dixiecrats as much as Alan Keyes and Clarence Thomas have. It is also worth noting that after 22 years as an officer he only reached the rank of Lt. Colonel. He should have been at least a Colonel or Brigadier General especially in war time.
West was up for Full Colonel promotion. Length of service varies widely in Officer’s country in our military. West is a Military war history expert, fought for this country, and I take acception to your lies and hatred you have put in here trying to slander a great Patriot.
Then again we expect this kind of vitriol from the Nanny-State beggars.
The presidency is a matter of credentials! Add to it, Duty, Honor, Country! Congressman Allen West’s background and life reflects nothing less than absolute devotion to the Flag of the United States of America and the Republic for which it stands.
He is a real Black-American born in Atlanta, Georgia U.S.A. of pure Black-Americans who’s progeny have consistently demonstrated the highest of American values, faithfully promoting and defending the Constitution of the United States and the American way of life.
This natural born American citizen of the United States, a graduate of the University of Tennessee and a former senior commissioned officer of the U.S. Army, having proven combat leadership, myriad collegiate degrees, and now serving as a full-fledged elected Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, has earned my respect and admiration. Should he not choose to enter the political race in the 2012 elections, I would not hesitate for a moment in voting for an outright draft of him to be the next GOP presidential nominee. How proud we could all then stand together in supporting a true American as our next Commander in Chief.
Sincerely,
Sam Rountree, LTC, U.S. Army Retired
born, and reared in the Great State of Texas
I couldnt agree more Sir. I would be damned proud to have LTC West be the leader of this nation. As he said when the Code Pink clowns tried to interrupt him at a few townhalls- “I will not be intimated!”
Thank you for your service LTC Rountree.