This just goes to show that there is no such thing as a boring town hall when Republican Congressman Allen West is speaking. At a town hall in Jensen Beach Tuesday covered by TCPalm, a man asked West this question (this is the best we could make out in the video) “what percentage of the American Legislature do you think are card-carrying Marxists (something garbled) Socialists?”
West's reply: “That’s a good question. I believe its about 78 to 81 members of the Democratic Party are members of the Communist Party.”
PolitiFact asked West’s spkeswoman Angela Melvin for an explanation today: “The Congressman was referring to the 76 members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. The Communist Party has publicly referred to the Progressive Caucus as its allies. The Progressive Caucus speaks for itself. These individuals certainly aren't proponents of free markets or individual economic freedom.”
We read that response to Jennifer Gore, a spokeswoman for U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison, a Democrat from Minnesota who co-chairs the caucus. Here's a snapshot of what she said: "all of that is false."
We also contacted the Communist Party USA. Vice president Libero Della Piana said that none of the less than 5,000 members are members of Congress.
"Trust me -- if a member of Congress applied to join the Communisty Party we would know about it. It would set up some red flags -- pardon the pun."
PolitiFact will be fact-checking West's claim about how many -- if any -- Democrats in Congress are Communists.
Why doesn't Rep. West identify the 78 to 81 Communist Members of Congress? I do know that there is big liar in Congress from Florida.
Posted by: LarryLinn | April 11, 2012 at 08:23 PM
His audience love him, because they are just a loony as he is. He reallly comical. Are we sure nothing serious happened to him will in the military?
Posted by: Thetittyman | April 11, 2012 at 08:24 PM
West does not know his behind from a hole in the ground and only tea bag idiots would vote a cretin like him in. He disgusts the public discourse with his bad baloney.
Posted by: Jose Aguirre | April 11, 2012 at 08:31 PM
I would wish that before you make an accusation that we have communist in our congress that Mr. West would have had said who the communist were. It was cowardly to just say we have communist
Posted by: C Mello D | April 11, 2012 at 08:45 PM
Who is voting for these people? No more drinking at the polls.
Posted by: Herb | April 11, 2012 at 08:52 PM
For heaven's sake: how many of these commenters can't understand the meaning if "member of the communist party," which us not at all the same thing as having left ideas if which some communists may approve?
Posted by: SG | April 11, 2012 at 08:56 PM
Do you need any other reason why most people don't want to be identified with the Republican party?
Posted by: James | April 11, 2012 at 09:06 PM
Fred, you got it backwards!
Fact: The Democratic party was the party of the KKK. Fact: The Democratic party was the party of slavery.
Fact: It was the Republican party who freed the slaves.
Posted by: Joel | April 11, 2012 at 09:24 PM
In the 1930's there was a man (I forget his name) that ran every time for president,under the communist party then once he didn't, he was asked why he said "I don't have to now the democrates have taken up our agenda!" Check it out do your own research to find the truth!!
Posted by: SHARON ELKINS | April 11, 2012 at 09:55 PM
Now maybe people will understand why Allen was thrown out of the US Army.
Posted by: Allen's Mommy | April 11, 2012 at 10:37 PM
Voice your opinion in November with a vote. The power of the ballet will set you in motion to do great things, or in West case it will show him the door.
Posted by: Tony H | April 11, 2012 at 10:50 PM
Representative West was pretty much on the ball.
Before posting comments without foundation learn some pertinent history. Last Century before the Great War, the Democrats embraced the Communist party and then the Republicans embraced the Nazi party. Did you know that the communists became progressives then socialists and presently call themselves progressives again, these "good" Americans are not card carrying communists. Educate yourselves!
Posted by: Ernst | April 11, 2012 at 11:30 PM
Google: Congressional Progressive Caucus and communism. Make sure you add "-west" to take out all the recent media garbage. This will show you that the Congressional Progressive Caucus has been aligned with communist since the 90's. West is being truthful.
Proof at: http://www.scribd.com/doc/35733956/DSA-Members-American-Socialist-Voter-Democratic-Socialists-of-America-10-1-09
Posted by: Andybinga | April 12, 2012 at 05:26 AM
HAHAHAHHA
What is really nuts is how Republicans keep on repeating this garbage about communists and socialists. It is effective in rallying the sheep into thinking that they think for themselves, though.
HAHAHAHA What fools! And it's not really funny. These are dangerous creatures.
Posted by: The Dog | April 12, 2012 at 09:44 AM
God help us !
Posted by: Brent R. Olsen | April 12, 2012 at 12:46 PM
God help us. We are in the last days. Read the word of our Lord.It is the Truth and only way.
Posted by: Beverly Rooney | April 12, 2012 at 01:36 PM
Obama is a Moslem Marxist bent on destroying America's Middle-Class.
Posted by: Rex | April 12, 2012 at 02:22 PM
WOW, WHY DO SO MANY PEOPLE BELIEVE WEST? WE ARE IN REAL TROUBLE THAT PEOPLE BELIEVE HIM.
Posted by: ootzard | April 12, 2012 at 03:48 PM
Sorry folks but Mr West is right. He cares deeply for our country,and is only exposeing the communists in congress.There are approximatly 81 members. GOOGLE: Congressional Progressive Caucus, in wikipedia youll learn what their ideology is their names and the states they represent. They are progressive/socialist/communists ultra left wing and if they ever gain full control of our government we will be living under a dictatorship/tyrany. I can only hope this doesnt happen.
Posted by: Glen | April 12, 2012 at 03:49 PM