Allen West: Conservatives unite
Former congressman speaks at inaugural Floyd GOP event
The Fox News commentator speaks at the Ronald Reagan Dinner.
Former congressman Allen West railed against progressive socialism and attacks on Judeo-Christian heritage at Thursday’s inaugural Ronald Reagan Dinner, calling conservatives the last great hope for America.
The keynote speaker at the Floyd County Republican Party event, West decried a lack of adult leadership in the nation and challenged Republicans to unite for a single purpose.
West, an Army veteran and current Fox News commentator, is a black conservative on the national stage. His comments on domestic and international affairs have drawn ire from the left and applause from the right.
West’s address came after the local GOP honored County Commissioner John Mayes and Board of Education member David Johnson, both of whom aren’t seeking re-election.
A retired lieutenant colonel, West told some 300 people at Coosa Country Club that Reagan captured the essence of Americans in his speeches, and argued Republicans need to regain that ability if they’re to win elections.
“They’re looking for a ‘Morning in America,’ and that’s what we have to pro- vide,” West said. “Our message needs to be heard in Detroit. Our message needs to be heard in Chicago. Our message needs to be heard in Washington, D.C.”
West pointed to Tuesday’s primary election, and urged conservatives to unite. He likened discord inside the party to a circular firing squad.
“Everyone gets shot,” he added. “We have to stop doing that. We are truly the last great hope for the United States of America, and if we don’t stand together then shame on us.”
West then called progressive socialism the true adversary, discarding the philosophy that government is bigger than the individual.
West also dismissed secular humanists and radical Islamism. He said America must restrict the latter from infiltrating the country, and argued some people don’t want words such as “Islamism” or “jihadism” to be used. West said those people would have Americans believe anger, not religious fanaticism, drove the 9/11 hijackers to fly two planes into the World Trade Center.