Tea Party Rep. Allen West Serves Chikin To Communist Black House Democrats

In April, Rep. Allen West announced that 80 House Democrats were avowed members of the Communist Party. West refused to recant that claim even as he was roundly mocked from both sides of aisle. Shortly before then it had been West's turn to provide the meal at a formal luncheon for the Congressional Black Caucus, of which West is the sole Republican member. According to news accounts which have just gone public, West walked in, dropped several bags of Chick-Fil-A sandwiches on a table, then walked out.

"We have a rotation in the Congressional Black Caucus where every member provides the lunch one of the weeks when we meet," Rep. Alcee Hastings said in a Monday interview. The lunches, he said, are often quite delicious. "We have fried chicken. And we have catfish and BBQ. We do not have watermelon, although sometimes people will have fruit. We serve a full course meal with collard greens. We have Jamaican beans and rice," Hastings said. But West "sent Chick-fil-A with biscuits. Ok?" "That was an 'in your face.' Every member of the Congressional Black Caucus that was there was offended," he said. Asked more specifically why lawmakers were insulted, Hastings said it was because they saw West's actions as making a statement in support of the conservative views held by Chick-fil-A leaders. West is the only Republican member of the caucus. "He did it deliberately," Hastings said, explaining that he saw West's message as, "You know, 'That's what I think of you all.'"

Hastings reports that West has not returned to a Black Caucus luncheon since then. West's actions are today being cheered by Rush Limbaugh and on many right wing sites.