Inevitable Allen West-Fox News Partnership Is Sealed
Outgoing members of Congress are rarely hard-pressed for jobs (even when they've gone out in disgrace). Tea Party star Allen West just accepted the one that was perhaps the most predictable: contributor to Fox News.
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The Hill quotes Fox's executive vice president of networking: "Representative West’s congressional and military experience along with his fearless approach to voicing key issues will provide a valuable point of view to the FOX News lineup." How unique that point of view will be on Fox News is open to debate.
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West made his name during his brief tenure in Congress for his similarly fearless approach toward attacking his opponents. In 2011, he sent a letter to Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz calling her "the most vile, unprofessional, and despicable member of the US House of Representatives." He repeatedly said that the president wanted voters to "be his slave." He suggested that Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels would be proud of the Democratic Party. Last year, he made news for saying he had heard that 80 Democrats in Congress were secret members of the Communist Party. And so on.
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The Fox gig won't be West's first foray into the world of broadcast media. After losing his reelection campaign last November, West started an online show in partnership with the conservative PJ Media. Recent episodes have focused focused on Benghazi and an interview with inventor Elon Musk. It's not clear how well the show, which is subscription-based, is faring.
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The new media role will likely put to rest one rumored possibility for his next gig. West, who represented Florida's 22nd Congressional District for two years, had been mentioned as a possible lieutenant governor choice for Governor Rick Scott. The previous lieutenant governor, Jennifer Carroll, resigned in March over links to an organized crime investigation.
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In January, Fox News ended its contract with another popular star from within the conservative ranks, Sarah Palin. West should be able to pick up the reins without missing a beat.
