'I'm always willing to serve my country'
The Hill - Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.) is not closing the door to being considered for the vice presidential spot, despite only having served in Congress for less than three months.
Speculation over West was sparked Friday when former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.), who is considering a presidential bid, said that a number of Florida GOP politicians would do well as vice president, including West.
When asked about Gingrich's comments by WPTV, West asked, "He said that?"
"I have to pray about it and I have to clear it with my wife and two daughters," he added. "I never thought that seven years ago when I retired here I'd be a United States congressman, and that I'd be standing in front of your news camera. So we don't know what the future holds, but I'm always willing to serve my country."
West, 50, is one of two black Republicans elected to Congress in the 2010 midterm elections, which saw the GOP take control of the House with the backing of Tea Party activists. Florida has never had a candidate on a national ticket, according to WPTV.
To become vice president, West would need to be chosen by the Republican Party's presidential nominee after a thorough vetting process.
During his short time in Washington, West has garnered significant media attention for his staunchly conservative views on policy and his tough talk.
West, a decorated lieutenant colonel, served in the Iraq war but was the subject of an investigation into his behavior during an interrogation of an Iraqi police officer, and subsequently retired.
Blog author's comments - I would be comfortable with Congressman Allen West as the VP nominee of the Republican Party in 2012.
Allen West is an honorable person, who has already shown how much he cares for America and the Constitution. I believe he is the man we have been waiting for and need. He could very well help push the Presidential nominee, whomever that may be, over the finish line to victory.
The problem is we must soon find the party's nominee for President. I would be confident with Chris Christie but he must be convinced to run. 2016 may be too late. The GOP must win in 2012!
I have much respect for West as the links to a few of my previous blog posts about him (below) have shown. West is a solid family man who has served his country well in combat is an intelligent speaker and a natural leader.
West, a lieutenant colonel, served in Operation Desert Storm and the Iraq war. He also worked in Afghanistan as an advisor for the Department of Defense.
He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of Tennessee and his master's degree in political science from Kansas State University. He also earned a master of military arts and sciences degree from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff Officer College in political theory and military history and operations.
I believe Christie and West are now ready to address the mess this country is in. We desperately need leadership, both for our country and U.S. representation abroad. We need a team who can bring America back from the edge of doom and I believe they are up to the task.
We shall see if Allen West is selected to run as the VP candidate of the GOP in 2012. Over the past few months he has talked about the political opportunism of the left and has addressed fiscal responsibility which the country is now lacking.
I thought he brought down the house with the speech he gave at CPAC and most recently he showed everyone he is a fighter and leader when he did not back down when confronted by a CAIR executive at a town hall meeting in Florida.
