NBC News late Friday reported that Republican challenger Allen West, who is running in a tight race against Rep. Ron Klein, ignored a supporter's warning not to invite the Outlaws, a national motorcycle gang, to a campaign bike riding event earlier this year.
In its report, NBC said it obtained an exchange of e-mails between West and an unidentified supporter who warned, "criminal organization members in leather riding up [I-]95 is not the picture Allen wants.
West, NBC says, replied: "Please, no more references to criminal," adding, "I was never more amazed at how members of the Outlaws guarded me during an interview.''
In the NBC report, West is asked why he'd "defend" the Outlaws: "I don't think I defended the Outlaws," he says. "Did I say I condone their behavior? That I'm happy for them to do whatever they want?"
The segment -- which says the incident has hurt West among law enforcement Republicans -- was broadcast nationwide on NBC Friday and Democrats pounced, using it to slam West and the GOP.
"Allen West is just the latest Republican candidate with an extremely disturbing past that Republican Leader Boehner and the (National Republican Congressional Committee] have promoted,'' the Democratic Congressional Campaign Commitee said in an e-mail.
West's campaign manager, Josh Grodin, denounced the report as a "political hatchet job by the liberal mainstream media...Let me be perfectly clear, Allen West has absolutely no ties to the outlaw bikers club - an organization with a history of criminal activity, as well as racism against African Americans."
Mr. Klein I ride a Harley and have attended the Outlaws Christmas party's and fund raisers too. They are a Motor Cycle club! And the South Florida club is a helpful loving group of older men whom will throw out trouble makers whom soil they name. They are raising money for sick kids, fallen police officers toys for tots, Now Allen West is a good man that has a proven past as a US hero and patriot! Not like the mouth service Liberal Klein and his cash and grab friends Socialist Nancy Pelosi & the Obama gang whom promised us change. Wake up Florida they are stealing our future and our kids to! The very fabric the this country is made of is being stole from us!
Posted by: Bill Guthrie | October 24, 2010 at 09:14 AM
It was not the Outlaw Mc that supported Mr. West but a military MC, there skull and crossbone patch in the front not rear is for force recon. Wake up America. Tank
Posted by: frank13@bellsouth.net | October 25, 2010 at 12:04 AM
Klein is a desparate liar. Klein is attacking West with tactics that can't be substantiated beyond the Democratic spin-master's lies. Allen West is a patriot and the kind of man we need to represent us. Klein is untrustworthy and he is grasping at straws in order to mount a last minute campaign of inuendo and untruth. Klein can NOT be trusted.
Posted by: INFIDEL | October 25, 2010 at 04:51 PM
G.F.O.D.
Posted by: RoadHog | October 27, 2010 at 09:53 AM
Might be nice if actually heard what both of these fools positions are, and if the left wing and right wing extremists - who do not decide an election (centric and independent provide the swing votes and determine the winner).
Obama did not create the situation we are in - but both republicans and democrats are to blame, and if you believe anyone: democrat, republican, independent - could fix it in the past 2 years then you are sorely mistaken.
Posted by: NetMan | October 30, 2010 at 12:11 AM
I think all political parties should be outlawed!! A politician should have to stand alone, not leaning on, or getting help from the big political parties. Way too many good candidates don't make it through the primaries, because they are not party hardlines nutballs.
Posted by: Al bots | October 31, 2010 at 11:11 PM
"Not like the mouth service Liberal Klein and his cash and grab friends Socialist Nancy Pelosi & the Obama gang whom promised us change"
Everything about that sentence is stupid.
Posted by: me | November 02, 2010 at 11:44 PM