Newsmax.TV
Congressman-elect Allen West, a retired Army lieutenant colonel, tells Newsmax
it's "crazy" to squabble over the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy regarding gay
soldiers when the focus should be on winning the war in Afghanistan.
West, an African-American, also vows to challenge the Congressional Black Caucus'
"liberal social welfare perspective," and criticizes censured Rep. Charles Rangel and
the "ruling-class elite."
A decorated veteran of more than 20 years in the Army, West served in Iraq and was a
civilian adviser in Afghanistan. He holds two master's degrees. In November, tea party
favorite West unseated Democrat Ron Klein in Florida's 22nd District, becoming the
first black congressman from Florida since the 1870s.
