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More on the Allen West Saga

By: Leon H. Wolf (Diary)  |  January 31st, 2012 at 05:20 PM  | 

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Javier Manjarres is reporting that Allen West has announced that he is switching Congressional districts, from FL-22 (which was drawn to doom him) to FL-16. I don’t know the particulars of that district since it has been redrawn but it used to be one of the safest GOP seats in the country (and is now infamous for having two consecutive congressmen resign in disgrace in the face of criminal probes). Too early to tell whether West will face a serious primary challenge as the current incumbent is also moving to another district.

Meanwhile, the question of who was responsible for turning FL-22 into a Democrat sinkhole continues to swirl. I’ve had folks who are involved in Florida politics tell me that Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolous was responsible as payback for West refusing to support Haridopolous in his abortive United States Senate bid, or for one imagined slight or the other. Haridopolous, for his point, insists that the maps were basically required to be drawn that way due to a new FLorida law designed to prevent gerrymandering of districts. Allegedly, however, other district maps were proposed and rejected which would not have been quite as injurious to West’s chances in FL-22. At this point, it is difficult to know what to believe.

It seems likely, however, that unless the composition of FL-16 has changed remarkably in the redistricting process that West has a better chance of winning a primary and the general than he did in winning the original FL-22, which was always going to be a very tough fight. It’s too early to celebrate yet but it looks like there’s a good chance that West will be around and kicking for a while longer yet.

COMMENTS

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  • deVere

    so why care if he wins or loses?

    • Leon H. Wolf

      West must have said something nice about Mitt Romney.

      • deVere

        He did vote to give 2 $trillion more for Obama to spend, and when criticized said “What else could I do?”. He was by all accounts a brave soldier, but he’s a lousy Congressman. We will do nicely without him in Washington.

        • aesthete

          Talks a good talk, but so far results have been disappointing.

          Strangely, the two Senators that I didn’t expect much from (Mike Lee and Rand Paul) have been more successful than the ones I had higher hopes for (Rubio), not that Rubio et al are “traitors” or whathaveyou.

          • Justin Spagnolo (standardcandle)

            You can’t help but get a sense of his Constitutional sincerity. He also happens to be WELL trained in that area.

          • aesthete

            …..

          • acat

            the States they represent, and the limits that re-election puts on them.

            See also Scott Brown.

            Mew

          • aesthete

            but even the difference between Rubio and Allen West is disappointing. Rubio got elected in Elderlyvania while talking up entitlement reform; he’s not the leader I thought he’d be, but he’s a good ‘un. Allen West got elected by talking about the Constitution and being an all-around bad*ss, but now that he’s up there, the only thing he talks about is which countries we should bomb next… disappointing.

          • GregInFla

            when you are on the losing side to be bold, knowing that you are going to lose (to Harry Reid) anyways. I’ll take Allen West as my next Senator in 2013 any day. Our GOP favorite to take Nelson’s seat is now Congressman Connie Mack, who is married to Bono Mack, a California Congressperson who inherited Sonny’s seat. Do they share a house in DC but live apart the rest of the time? That would be tough if Congress were part-time.

          • aesthete

            as Lee and Paul (ditto Rubio)? Rubio I’ll cut some slack, because he’s only been a minor disappointment, but West has done very little but beat the war drums and vote the R party line. That’s OK, but I would have expected more, what with the rhetoric.

          • GregInFla

            and Boehner’s lack of taking the high road against the Senate. The House has the power of the purse, and the GOP act like they are under the Senate in power. West voted for all the bills that Harry Reid decided to table forever.

            Rubio’s been a big plus in my mind. I don’t see where people find fault. Many legislators were initially on the wrong side of Protect IP and reversed once they understood the amount of power that the DOJ was getting.

          • aesthete

            the fact that Rubio doesn’t seem to be taking as much of a leadership/PR role as I’d originally expected, and a handful of votes and support that surprised me. I still absolutely love Rubio, and think he’s a fantastic Senator — especially given his elderly constituency.

            The jury’s still out on West. He talks the talk, but let’s just say that he’s no Justin Amash at this point.

        • Leon H. Wolf

          • mikeymike143

            and of course i love that he considers that loon paul unqualified for the job as POTUS.

          • mikeymike143

            rooney is leaving district 18 to go to the newly created district 17(note: district 18 used to be district 16, florida is adding new districts)

            allen west is leaving my district(22) to go to district 18.

            boca raton’s adam hasner will possibly end up leaving the senate race and run for congress in district 22(allen west’s old district which includes part of boca raton).

            and leon, mike haridopolus is a snake and very unpopular with all the conservatives i know in florida. even for a politician he is know for being corrupt and slimy. so that is exactly the type of ”backroom deal” that has his fingerprints all over it.

  • Whacker77

    It’s being reported Allen West will now switch districts and Adam Hasner will drop his Senate run to run for the House in the district West is leaving.

    • GregInFla

      As you know, I have spent the last year on the campaign trail for U.S. Senate, traveling our amazing, diverse and beautiful state. It has been a journey Jillian and I will always treasure, and we have been blessed with the opportunity to meet and get to know so many great people, and to learn from them. I have been deeply honored by the support, friendship and endorsements of so many Floridians from every corner of the state.

      The call to serve my community and my country continues, but the journey has taken us in a new direction.

      Today, I am announcing my intention to run as the Republican candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives for the 22nd Congressional District of Florida. My friend Congressman Allen West and I spoke last night, and he offered me his counsel, and I am honored to accept his endorsement in this race. Allen West’s service to our nation did not end when he left the US Army; it continues everyday he leads in the United States House.

      I look forward to serving with him.

      For 8 years, I served this community in the Florida House of Representatives. I look forward to a spirited contest of ideas in the 22nd District, and to working every day to once again represent my friends and neighbors in Palm Beach and Broward Counties as a passionate advocate for jobs and economic growth, for a Congress that lives within its means and plays by the rules it sets for our citizens, for a balanced budget that protects and reforms entitlements and for a strong national defense that honors our commitments to our allies abroad, especially Israel.

      I am a conservative and a proud Republican, but I will go to Washington to oppose Democrats and Republicans who put their own self interest above the interests of our country. I do not expect the work to be easy, or the hours to be short. I won my first race by knocking on over 10,000 doors, taking my grassroots message to the most Democratic precincts in a blue county. I’m ready to do it again, and give the new 22nd District a new fighter in Washington who puts principle before politics.

  • carolina

    ?As Allen looks to continue his fight for prosperity and growth in the face of Democrats? big-government agenda, I applaud his decision to run in Florida?s proposed 18th Congressional District. The NRCC remains committed to re-electing House Republican members, and we look forward to supporting Allen as he seeks to continue representing so many of the same Floridians he represents in Congress today.?
    http://nrcc.org/default.asp?id=274&newsid=3455

  • OCBill

    While the Tea Party envisions Operation Counterweight to offset who ever wins the presidency (Romney or Obama), the establishment GOP is already on the move to offset Operation Counterweight by having the Florida GOP redraw the Congressional districts to disadvantage Congressmen who are sympathetic to the Tea Party.

  • greyeagle

    Rep. Weatherford is the Chairman of the re-district committee. He and the Committee have been blistered by Rush Limbaugh, the various Tea Parties and individual voters. Col. West is very popular here in Florida. I should also say that Will Weatherford is a big Romney surrogate. Whether that means anything or not I don’t know. However, Romney is not very popular with the Tea Party. Col. West is a good and decent man and a true patriot. This hatchet job nearly happened until Rush and angry voters found out about it.

    • proudgop

      Can someone tell me what the ballot Florida voters passed in 2010 which relates to redistricting. It appears Republicans are scared in not upholding that ballot vote and then allowing districts to be drawn by Florida Supreme Court. Speaking of which is it still as liberal as it was during Florida recount in 2004?

    • Adjoran

      He is the other Republican whose district was significantly infected with Democratic voting areas, and he endorsed Romney long ago.

      You suspect Romney, in order to “get West,” began working the reform amendments secretly before West was even elected, and “sacrificed” a supporter to get him, because . . . why, exactly?

      West spoke truth to power or something? Are you insane?

    • http://www.sunshinestatesarah.com SunshineStateSarah

      the map that had everyone all in a tizzy came from the SENATE committee not the house.

      http://www.sunshinestatesarah.com/2012/02/state-repscott-plakon-rush-limbaugh-is.html#more

      PLEASE everyone take a moment and research the FL redistricting laws before commenting. there is so much misinformation and you are attacking good conservatives in my state.

      I love Allen West. He’s fantastic. But he’s not the only worthwhile Republican in the entire state and this scorched earth crap needs to stop.

  • davep

    when men like Col. West are angry.
    He’s a patriot, no doubt.
    DaveP

  • Adjoran

    his main competition would have been a former West Palm Beach Mayor, a woman with a very big mouth but no competition for him in rational discourse. He had a high name recognition and high favorable ratings, plus a national fundraising network already.

    It’s his choice, though, perfectly legitimate switch.

    What isn’t legitimate is the crazy conspiracy allegations flying around. Some of you should have a friend read your posts, and take their advice to seek help now.

  • GregInFla

    If he got the GOP nomination, Nelson would be running for cover from West. Connie Mack? Really? Another one? Mark Levin endorsed Hasner, so where does that leave the Tea Party in the Senate race?

    • http://www.sunshinestatesarah.com SunshineStateSarah

      http://www.sunshinestatesarah.com/2012/02/adam-hasner-running-for-congress-gets.html

      McCallister is a complete joke and will not get my support.

      LeMieux is Charlie Crist’s lapdog and will not get my support.

      I have never met Mack and am reserving judgment. He will be at CPAC and I am supposed to be able to meet him there (as promised by his staffers). If they renege on that meeting, then…well…stupid is as stupid does.