4 Outrageous Allen West Quotes

Congressman West lost his re-election bid in Florida partly because of his series of offensive comments.

Allen West still refuses to concede, but Florida election officials say that the Republican lost his reelection bid in the state’s 18th Congressional District to Democratic rival Patrick Murphy on Election Day. He lost the race by a very small margin—six-tenths of 1 percentage point. Why didn’t West, a rare black GOPer, eke out a decisive victory over Murphy? During his time in congress West managed to offend a variety of groups, including gays, Muslims and blacks. Below are four of the most troubling statements West made while in office.

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Called Islam False Religion: As a congressional candidate, Allen West took aim at Islam, characterizing it as a non-religion. “Islam is a totalitarian theocratic political ideology, it is not a religion,” he remarked at a town hall in 2010. “It has not been a religion since 622 AD, and we need to have individuals that stand up and say that.” West also implied that President George W. Bush was coerced into visiting a mosque following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. “George Bush got snookered into going into some mosque, taking his shoes off, and then saying that Islam was a religion of peace,” West said.

Insulted Gay Legislator: In April of this year, West lashed out at Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank, who is gay, for criticizing Republicans for their plethora of amendment votes. West described Frank as “a guy who for all practical purposes should be in a pink jumpsuit for what he did.”

[ALSO READ: West Offends With Chick-fil-A]

Accused Congress Members of Communism: West also raised eyebrows in April after accusing liberal members of Congress of being “communists.” He quipped during a town hall meeting, “I believe there are about 78 or 81 members of the Democrat Party that are members of the Communist Party. It’s called the Congressional Progressive Caucus.” After a public outcry, a spokesman for the congressman said West described the CPC as such because they oppose capitalism.

Said Obama Wants to Enslave America: Campaigning in Summer 2012, West leveled some outlandish criticism toward the president. Mainly he accused President Barack Obama of seeking to keep Americans in bondage. “He does not want you to have the self-esteem of getting up and earning and having that title of American,” West said. “He’d rather you be his slave.”

[ALSO READ: West Says Obama Wants to Enslave America]

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