Posted on 01/28/2008 3:49:11 PM PST by pissant
WASHINGTON — While former Vietnam POW John McCain campaigns for the Republican presidential nomination in Florida, another retired veteran is counting on his military experience to catapult him to victory in the Sunshine State.
Retired Army Col. Allen West is campaigning in Florida's 22nd U.S. Congressional District, hoping to unseat freshman Democratic Rep. Ron Klein, who toppled 26-year Republican incumbent Clay Shaw in a contentious battle in 2006.
The well-funded and very politically active Klein is not about to give up his seat easily, but West is banking on his notoriety as much as his military experience to make his case.
West, 46, cuts an intriguing figure. He is a war hero to his supporters, but his opponents see him as a symbol of a war gone wrong.
West commanded the 2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery, Fourth Infantry Division in Iraq, then spent two years as a private contractor helping to train the Afghan army.
He's not only up on military and national security issues, but he has worked briefly as a teacher in the Palm Beach/Broward County area public schools.
"Allen is one of the most compelling figures I've ever worked with," said Donna Brosemer, an unpaid campaign strategist and spokeswoman for West. "He's a non-traditional candidate at a time when the public is sick of traditional candidates."
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
I can’t even express how honored Florida is to have him not only residing here but wanting to serve his fellow citizens yet again.
"He was the officer in charge on Aug. 20 of that year when soldiers under his command in Taji, Iraq, beat an Iraqi policeman they believed was hiding information about imminent attacks. Not getting the information he wanted, West took over the interrogation and, according to court reports, discharged his 9 mm pistol just above the policeman's head. According to West, the Iraqi then spilled the beans about a planned ambush."
This is a "take charge" guy.
I haven't had a job for a year but I've always said I will no longer support the Repub party but will support an individual.
I'm sending him a contribution. He's earned it.......
Thanks for the link. A shortcut will be on my desktop to remind me to donate as soon as I am able. He’d be a guaranteed winner here in NWF.
I'd love to see him in Congress!
No kidding! He sounds good! :-)
0 mils. He is a superb individual who got screwed by the WPPA.
If he hadn’t put the safety of his men over the pc s..t covering interrogations of the enemy, he would have made General.
Blessings! If he is to win, he needs money and volunteers. It would be wonderful to have this hero in the House.
Many thanks. This is a guy who deserves as much help as we can give him.
Best wishes to you for better circumstances.
I contributed to his campaign and I just received a personal email from him thanking me. Nice touch....
Me too. I said he’s a great guy. Thanks.
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