Rep. Allen West Calls Debbie Wasserman Schultz “Vile, Unprofessional And Despicable”

by Stuart Shapiro

Florida Rep. Allen West, tea party darling extraordinaire, reacted rather strongly to a speech on the House floor today from fellow Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz.   She correctly pointed out that support of the Cut, Cap, and Balance bill would result in huge cuts in Medicare and Medicaid for both of their constituents.  West’s response:

Let me make myself perfectly clear, you want a personal fight, I am happy to oblige. You are the most vile, unprofessional, and despicable members of the US House of Representatives. If you have something to say to me, stop being a coward and say it to my face, otherwise, shut the heck up. . . You have proven repeatedly that you are not a Lady, therefore, shall not be afforded due respect from me!

This would just be hugely inappropriate and indicative of the lack of ability to coherently argue policy if it weren’t for one amusing fact.  West actually lives in Wasserman Schultz’s district!

By: Stuart Shapiro

Stuart is a professor and the Director of the Public Policy
program at the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers
University. He teaches economics and cost-benefit analysis and studies
regulation in the United States at both the federal and state levels.
Prior to coming to Rutgers, Stuart worked for five years at the Office
of Management and Budget in Washington under Presidents Clinton and
George W. Bush.