Allen West and His Critics: About those "78 to 81" congressional Democrats who are "communists."

American Spectator ^ | 5.4.12 | Paul Kengor

[neverdem]

Congressman Allen West is being hammered for his comments alleging that certain Democratic members of Congress are communists. It's the kind of accusation (West is not backing down) that sets liberals seething in rage. An even worse sin was that West dared to quantify his accusation, attaching a number to the alleged Reds. He said there are "78 to 81" Congressional Democrats who are communists.

Naturally, all of this is a huge no-no, reflexively sending liberals into fits and shouts of "McCarthyism!"

I want to say three things relating to West's remarks: First, some criticism of West's critics. Second, a defense of West's critics. And, finally, some criticism of West, which I offer constructively. I like Allen West, consider him a rising star in the Republican Party and conservative movement, and want him to succeed...

--snip--

Sure, West appears to be thinking of the far-left Democratic Socialists of America, many of whose members justifiably invite suspicions, as well as the Congressional Progressive Caucus. What he ought to say, however, is that a large number of them share some sympathies and even certain goals with communists, but they're not full-blown CPUSA members...

--snip--

There's nothing that liberals detest more than anti-communism. Their preferred villain is Joe McCarthy, not Joe Stalin.

What Allen West must learn is the lesson of McCarthy for any modern conservative: If you're going to call certain people communists, you better be absolutely, 100% certain. They and their mass media will go ballistic, demanding a level of precision from you that they never demand from their own name-callers. Our side must be more cautious. It's unfair. It's pure hypocrisy, yes. But that's the deck that's stacked against us.

Allen West, your courage and boldness is refreshing -- but please be more careful.

[editor-surveyor]

>> “ but they’re not full-blown CPUSA members” <<

.
A strawman!

West never said that they were MEMBERS of anything. He said that they are communists, which they ideologically are without question.
.

[ExSoldier]

The democrats would also expel waste products from their anuses SINUSES.

There, MUCH better!

[RowdyFFC]

Yes, and Allen West is one of the FEW who can get away with calling a spade a spade, because they can’t lynch him by calling him a racist, they can’t lynch him for being one of the rich elite, they can’t lynch him because he’s a soldier, a hero, and a very knowledgeable well-read every day American well-versed in politics. I’m sure he knows this also. That’s one of the reasons he can afford to be bold.