Talking Points Memo: Allen West Explains Why Democrats Are Communists: ‘The Creation And Expansion Of The Welfare State’

-by Eric Kleefeld

April 18, 2012- Rep. Allen West (R-FL) clarified his earlier claim that members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus are communists at a press event with other House GOP conservatives Tuesday afternoon. He said communism is defined broadly as the creation and expansion of a welfare state.

West, a prolific fundraiser, has also recently started raising money by trumpeting his willingness to call House Democrats communists, in an e-mail to supporters: “In response to a question about Marxists in Congress, I called out the Congressional Progressive Caucus for their extreme left-wing positions. I stand by the point of my comments and I need you to stand with me today by making a contribution of $10 or more.”

Some of West’s colleagues nodded along as he spoke on Tuesday, while others appeared somewhat uncomfortable. None offered any pushback when he finished making his point.

“No, I don’t regret it whatsoever,” West said. “And I think that if you would take the time to study the political spectrum of ideologies, you’d understand that at the turn of the [20th] century, American Communists renamed themselves as progressives. If you study the Woodrow Wilson administration, people referred to the Woodrow Wilson administration as a progressive administration.

Notable in West’s grasp of early 20th century political history is the implication that President Woodrow Wilson was a communist who hid under progressive label. A lot of people would disagree with this — notably actual socialists and communists in America at the time.

Florida-based conservative site The Shark Tank has video:

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