Black Republicans Win First Congress Seats Since 2003

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Two black Republican victories [Tuesday night] mark the first time African-Americans will represent the GOP in Congress in seven years.

Retired Lt. Colonel Allen West's win in Florida's 22nd District and South Carolina State Rep. Tim Scott's victory in that state's 1st Congressional District is also the first time two black GOP members will serve in Congress since 1996.

Scott defeated Democrat Ben Frasier in an open contest to replace retiring Republican Rep. Henry Brown to the first black GOP in Congress since former Oklahoma Congressman J.C. Watts retired in 2003.

West defeated incumbent Democratic Rep. Ron Klein shortly after Scott's victory Tuesday. It was West's second contest against Klein, losing to the incumbent in 2008.

Watts, elected to office in 1994's sweeping GOP congressional gains, became the lone black Republican Member when former Congressman Gary Franks of Connecticut lost reelection in 1996, and Watts held the helm for three more terms before deciding not to seek reelection in 2002.

Watts notably did not join the Congressional Black Caucus given its overly Democratic leanings, and he balked at the suggestion among racial peers that he sold out his race. In 1997 the congressman famously denounced black leaders with archaic agendas, dismissing them as "race-hustling poverty pimps" on Fox News's "Hannity and Colmes."

An Atlanta native, West served in the Army for 22 years, including tours of duty in both Iraq wars and in Afghanistan. His campaign platform, "Restoring American Exceptionalism," echoed this election cycle's popular conservative sentiments of limited government, creating a business-friendly tax environment, and extending the Bush era tax cuts.

Scott hails from South Carolina and served the state in local office for 15 years. Scott's agenda reflects many of the same views, including strengthening the borders against illegal immigration and focusing our military efforts to defeat violent Jihad.

Both men won tonight despite historically low black participation in the GOP and constant efforts by the left to discredit conservative movements like the Tea Party as racist. But the Republican Party had 14 viable candidates in House races this cycle, and the party intensified its outreach efforts to the black community this cycle.

"The people have spoken clearly, it is now time to restore honor, integrity and character to Washington," West said in a statement released shortly after midnight Wednesday. "This seat once again belongs to the people."

Read more: http://politics.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/11/03/black-republicans-win-first-congress-seats-2003#ixzz14NTSvKVD

[luckytxn 2,264]

So when blacks ride the winning pony they also win.

[Danno 1,228]

What makes this even more notable is the districts that many Black candidates on the Right who ran, come from. (smaller Black populations)

One would think since Blue districts have a much larger Black population and Blue districts already have many local Black polititians,,,,, the field of seasoned black politicians would be in large supply, ready to step up to national politics but what we tend to see in these Blue districts is a glass ceiling of sorts.

THe message seems to be "we white democrats will look after your national interests, you Black political leaders bess stay close to home."

HInt: ever notice the Hawaii representation matches their constituents?

Edited November 5, 2010 by Danno

[Obama 2012 1,714]

Americans were elected here... Skin color is an irrelevant thing that only liberals care about....

[Danno 1,228]

Americans were elected here... Skin color is an irrelevant thing that only liberals care about....

And boy do they. (because it is wind, in their sails)

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Americans were elected here... Skin color is an irrelevant thing that only liberals care about....

You know better than that. These guys will be paraded around the next couple of years, like a pair of trained monkeys. When the novelty of electing Black Republicans wears off, then you can say that skin color no longer matters, to the left, or the right.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

But are they REALLY black?

Are Jesse Jackson and the NAACP happy about it? That's how you tell if they are REALLY black

Edited November 6, 2010 by Gary and Alla

[Danno 1,228]

At least one promises to join the Congressional Black Caucus..... and SHAKE IT UP!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvUwOaIXGnc&feature=player_embedded

I'm not sure who the other newly elected Black Congressmen is but this guy has an interesting story, he certainly if no "affirmative action candidate".

Education

West is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and obtained his master's degree in political science at Kansas State University. He also holds a Master of Military Arts and Sciences from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff Officer College in political theory and military history and operations.[citation needed]

[edit]Awards and decorations

West's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star; Meritorious Service Medal; (two Oak Leaf Clusters); Army Commendation Medal (two Oak Leaf Clusters, one Valor Device); Army Achievement Medal (one Oak Leaf Cluster); Valorous Unit Award; Air Assault Badge and the Parachutist Badge.[citation needed]

]Military career

West entered active duty service in the U.S. Army on November 1, 1983 at Fort Sill to attend the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course. He later attended airborne training at Fort Benning. West's first assignment was as an airborne infantry company fire support team leader and battalion training officer in the 325th Airborne Battalion Combat Team. In 1987, he was promoted to Captain and attended the Field Artillery Officer Advanced Course.

His next assignment was to the 1st Infantry Division, where West commanded Bravo Battery, 6th Field Artillery Regiment and was a Battalion Task Force fire support officer for 2d Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment. While with the 1st Infantry Division, he participated in Operations Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.

After redeployment from Kuwait, West served as an ROTC instructor at Kansas State University from 1991 to 1994. In January 1995, he was assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division Support Command as the Assistant Operations/Combat Plans Officer. During that time, West was promoted to Major and selected for attendance to the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and graduated in 1997. Afterwards, he became the Operations Officer of the 18th Field Artillery Brigade. That was followed by assignment as the Executive Officer of the 1st Battalion, 377th Field Artillery Regiment. Upon completion of these positions, West was assigned to the II Marine Expeditionary Force in Camp Lejeune, selected to serve as an Army exchange officer to this headquarters from 1999 to 2002.

West's culminating assignment to his career was as Battalion Commander of the 2d Battalion 20th Field Artillery, 4th Infantry Division. He assumed command of this unit on June 6, 2002.[3]

[edit]Iraq interrogation incident and retirement

While serving in Taji, Iraq, on August 20, 2003, as commander of the 2d Battalion, 20th Field Artillery Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel West was in charge of an interrogation of a civilian Iraqi police officer who was suspected of having pertinent information regarding attacks on American soldiers in the area. Interrogators had learned that the detainee had information about a planned ambush. When the interrogators were unable to extract the needed important information for some time, LTC West was asked to come try to obtain the important information. As the detainee continued to hold back the information, LTC West fired his pistol past the detainee's head into a clearing barrel, frightening (but not physically harming) the detainee and getting him to finally give the information. According to Lt. Col. West's sworn statement,[4] the detainee informed West that:

“ [The attack] was to occur Friday morning in Saba al Boor vicinity of the police station by positioned snipers supposedly being brought in from Fallujah. [The detainee] was to ID my vehicle and myself for these rooftop firers. We took this information and the following day established flask CPs and used AH-64s overhead. There was no attack and no further attacks have emanated from the town since the apprehension of [the detainee] and his named associates. ”

At least one man was apprehended as a result of the information obtained through the detainee's interrogation. His home was searched, but no plans for attacks on Americans or weapons were found. Colonel West testified that he did not know whether "any corroboration" of a plot was ever found, adding: "At the time I had to base my decision on the intelligence I received. It's possible that I was wrong about [the detainee,] Mr. Hamoodi."[5]

West, who at the time was just short of having 20 years of service, was charged with violating articles 128 (assault) and 134 (general article) of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. West was processed through an Article 32 hearing in November 2003, where he admitted wrongdoing, was fined $5,000 over two months for misconduct and assault. He then submitted his resignation, and was allowed to retire with full benefits in the summer of 2004.[6]

At a hearing, West was asked by his defense attorney if he would do it again. "If it's about the lives of my men and their safety, I'd go through hell with a gasoline can," he said.[6] Apparently not knowing West's gun was aimed into a barrel, "Hamoodi cracked and gave information about the planned ambush on West's convoy, thwarting the attack." West said there were no further ambushes on U.S. forces in Taji until he was relieved of his leadership post on October 4."[6] "After West's resignation was brought to public attention the next fall, he received over two thousand letters and e-mails from the American public offering him moral support. In addition, a letter was drafted to the Secretary of the Army, its signatories being ninety-five members of Congress in West's support.[5]

West spoke in September 2010 in defense of a group of US military personnel convicted of war crimes known as the "Leavenworth 10."[7]

[edit]Activities since retirement

After leaving the Army, West moved his family from Texas to Florida and was a high school teacher for one year. He served in Afghanistan as a civilian adviser to the Afghan Army, an assignment that ended shortly after he was wounded by an accidentally discharged rocket propelled grenade.[citation needed]

[웃 910]

testing

[Ken y Leidys 20]

But are they REALLY black?

Are Jesse Jackson and the NAACP happy about it? That's how you tell if they are REALLY black

Are you serious? Are African Americans like myself that narrow-minded that I cannot see past what Jesse Jackson and the NAACP tell me? Am I that feebly minded that I cannot think for myself? That is where most Whites always seem to get it wrong.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

Are you serious? Are African Americans like myself that narrow-minded that I cannot see past what Jesse Jackson and the NAACP tell me? Am I that feebly minded that I cannot think for myself? That is where most Whites always seem to get it wrong.

No, it's not that for a lot of 'white' people.

What they see in the 'public' eye is other black people calling conservative black people, 'uncle toms' and the elite liberals saying they aren't 'real' black people and are 'out of touch.'

It's an ugly mess is what it is a lot of times...

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Are you serious? Are African Americans like myself that narrow-minded that I cannot see past what Jesse Jackson and the NAACP tell me? Am I that feebly minded that I cannot think for myself? That is where most Whites always seem to get it wrong.

Actually YES, most of them ARE that narrow minded. 91% of blacks support (still) Obama's agenda. 31% of whites do. Who's feeble minded?

[Obama 2012 1,714]

Actually YES, most of them ARE that narrow minded. 91% of blacks support (still) Obama's agenda. 31% of whites do. Who's feeble minded?

feeble minded was 97% of a particular race voting for the jerk off.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

But are they REALLY black?

Are Jesse Jackson and the NAACP happy about it? That's how you tell if they are REALLY black

Will Harry approve of the new Negros?