West told almost 100 Floridians in Palm City on Tuesday that “he’s heard” as many as 80 Democrats in Congress are members of the Communist Party, according to the Palm Beach Post.
The freshman Republican, an outspoken conservative and Tea Party favorite, is a longtime critic of the Democratic Party…
West has been mentioned as a possible vice presidential pick for the 2012 Republican nominee. South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley ( R) called him a “good” choice. Sarah Palin has also spoken highly of him.
Update: Oh this is even better than I thought:
“I believe there are about 78 to 81 members of the Democratic Party that are members of the Communist Party: It’s called the Congressional Progressive Caucus,” West said at an event Tuesday, according to a partial YouTube video and his campaign manager, Tim Edson, who was there. West was responding to a question: “What percentage of the American legislature do you think are card-carrying Marxists or International Socialists?”
“He stands by his words,” Edson said. But Edson and West’s office clarified what he meant.
“The Congressman was referring to the 76 members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus,” West Communications Director Angela Melvin said in a statement to Roll Call. “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.”
A call to the Communist Party USA was answered by a woman who gave her name as Esther. Asked about West’s comments, she said, “That’s the most ridiculous statement I’ve ever heard.”
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