Allen West
House Candidate
Florida 22nd District

Lt. Col. Allen West is the quintessential war hero. He has served more than twenty years in the U.S. Army where he has been awarded a Bronze Star, three Meritorious Service Medals, three Army Commendation Medals, and a Valorous Unit Award.

Col. West received notoriety from an incident involving the interrogation of an Iraqi police officer in 2003. The Iraqi officer was working with insurgents on a planned ambush of American forces. During the interrogation, Col. West pulled out a pistol and fired it right next to the Iraqi officer’s head. The officer, not realizing West was aiming at a barrel behind him, started talking immediately. The ambush was thwarted and there were no successful ambushes of West’s unit after that. He later admitted wrongdoing under the Army Code but does not regret it. When asked if he would do the same thing again, Col. West replied “If it’s about the lives of my men and their safety, I’d go through hell with a gasoline can.”

Col. West received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee and his master’s degree in political science from Kansas State University. He also holds a master of military arts and sciences from the US Army Command and General Staff Officer College.

Why he wins our Endorsement

Col. West is a man of courage, leadership, and principle. When faced with disciplinary action from the U.S. Army, Col. West did not try to make excuses or hide his actions. He admitted his actions and defends them without regret. Col. West is not just a great soldier, he is intelligent, well-educated, and an excellent communicator. His speeches are fiery and strike a powerful emotional nerve in all that hear them. He is an unapologetic conservative and refuses to change tone for political gain. Col. West is the polar opposite of a spineless, manipulative, triangulating career politician and he is sorely needed in Congress.

Election Prospects
The incumbent is democrat Ron Klein, who won the seat from a popular republican in 2006. Col. West ran against him in 2008 and got within 10 points despite the strong anti-republican sentiment that year. The district has been split 50/50 in Presidential elections the last three times and therefore can go either way in 2010. West’s fiery charisma, strong background in national security combined with the now strong anti-incumbent sentiment should give him a great shot at taking down Klein the second time around. Congressional Quarterly rates it at “leans democratic”, but that is likely to change as it gets closer to November.