MUTH’S TRUTHS

Now that Lt. Col. Allen West has returned stateside from Afghanistan, his campaign to unseat Democrat incumbent Rep. Ron “Cut and Run” Klein in Florida’s 22nd District - stretching from Ft. Lauderdale to West Palm Beach - has begun in earnest.

Col. West, if you’re a new subscriber to this newsletter, “gained international praise…in 2003 when he fired a pistol into a barrel near the head of an Iraqi prisoner who was being interrogated about his knowledge of plans to ambush West and U.S. forces.” The Iraqi spilled his guts and West’s actions prevented the planned attack, saving an untold number of soldiers’ lives.

And for his efforts to protect his troops by scaring the, er, poop out of this Iraqi prisoner, the Army “rewarded” Col. West by…relieving him of his command and fining him $5,000.

And some people still wonder why we’re not winning this war?

Anyway, the congressional district where Col. West is running has a Republican majority in voter registration and the seat was held for 26 years, until last year, by a Republican. So it is absolutely a winnable seat for the GOP…IF the challenger has enough money to be competitive.

Alas, to date Col. West has raised just a little over $20,000 for what will likely be a million dollar-plus race. When asked last week why he hasn’t raised more, West reminded the Palm Beach Post that he was serving in Taliban Central until two weeks ago. “Nobody wants to bet on a guy that could possibly lose his life in a combat zone.” Indeed.

For those of you who have written requesting more information on Col. West’s campaign and/or how to make a contribution, click here

Now, I don’t want to give y’all the impression that Allen West is perfect. Indeed, while with him in Washington this week I discovered a serious chink in his armor. When our waiter offered to buy him a drink at the Capital Grille, he ordered a…lemonade.

On the other hand, he did order steak and potatoes for dinner, so he ain’t all bad.

Posted on November 16th, 2007 by Chuck Muth
Filed under: National