By DARIUS DIXON
4/11/12 10:34 AM EDT
Updated: 4/11/12 2:47 PM EDT

Rep. Allen West
channeled Joe McCarthy in a town hall event in Florida that he’s
“heard” that up to 80 House Democrats are Communist Party members, the
Palm Beach Post reports.The Florida Republican, and tea party favorite, made the comments while speaking in Jensen Beach, Fla. Tuesday evening.

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In a video clip of the event
posted Wednesday, West was responding a question from a constituent
asking “What percentage of the American legislature do you think are
card-carrying Marxists?”
“That’s a fair question. I believe there’s about 78 to 81 members of
the Democratic Party that are members of the Communist Party,” West says
in the video.
(Also on POLITICO: Communist Party slams West for comments)
He went on to say, “It’s called the Congressional Progressive Caucus,” according to a spokesman, Tim Edson.


“He stands by his words,” Edson said in statement Wednesday
afternoon. “But the words the media needs to pay attention to are the
words of the members of the Progressive caucus. They speak for
themselves. Call it what you may, but these House members are clearly
not proponents of capitalism, free markets or individual economic
freedom.”
West also criticized President Barack Obama, who spoke in Florida
Tuesday about raising taxes for the wealthy, saying the president was
“scared” to have a discussion on oil drilling and tax cuts, the Post
reported.
(See also: Top 10 Allen West lines)
“I really wish that, standing here before you, was Allen West and
President Obama,” West said Tuesday, according to the Post. “We could
have a simple discussion. But that ain’t ever gonna happen.”
“Why not?” an audience member asked.


“Cuz he was too scared!” West responde


Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0412/75025.html#ixzz1rlNPTDz8