Patrick Murphy Lead Over Allen West Increases

This is getting comical. The latest recount has increased Patrick Murphy's final tally. The Allen West campaign is challenging the recount.

Minutes after the noon deadline passed, attorneys for West headed to the St. Lucie County Courthouse to request an emergency hearing on the issue. It is not known if a hearing has been scheduled.

Florida law does allow an exemption to the deadline in an emergency and West’s attorney are expected to argue that the exemption applies.

That exemption defines emergency as “any occurrence, or threat thereof, whether accidental, natural, or caused by human beings, in war or in peace, that results or may result in substantial injury or harm to the population or substantial damage to or loss of property to the extent it will prohibit an election officer’s ability to conduct a safe and orderly election.”

I enjoy conservatives suddenly questioning if voting machines make errors. Of course they do. I have written about voting machine irregularities before. I don't want West anywhere near public office. I do believe West has a right to a recount. That said, when the recount strengthens Murphy's lead it is not a good sign for West.

We should have experts check to see if the voting machines are working properly in the Murphy-West election. That does not mean supporting West's insane idea of impounding the ballots while a recount is being done.

Patrick Murphy Declared Winner

Allen West is out of Congress. Patrick Murphy has been declared the winner. Murphy sent out this press release.

“As expected, the Election Night results have been confirmed,” said Murphy. “It is now time to put the campaign behind us. I am honored that the voters of the Treasure Coast and Palm Beaches have chosen me to be their voice in Congress. Regardless of whether they voted for me or my opponent, I am committed to representing the interests of all residents of Florida’s 18th Congressional district in Washington.”

West - Murphy Race Still Being Tallied

Allen West leads Patrick Murphy 50.33 to 49.67. The race has not been called yet.

Bob Graham & Patrick Murphy

Amanda Terkel reports that Bob Graham will be campaigning with congressional candidate Patrick Murphy today. If Democrats are pulling Graham out then Allen West's seat is still in play. The polling for this race has been all over the place.

Debbie Crowder Endorses Patrick Murphy

Debbie Crowder is the wife of Martin County Sheriff Robert Crowder. Sheriff Crowder ran and lost to Allen West in the Republican primary. West dissed Crowder by refusing to shake his hand during a St. Lucie County GOP meeting. This was yet another childish display by Allen West. Debbie Crowder has not forgetten that moment.

Debbie Crowder has endorsed Patrick Murphy.

“How will a man who could not extend his arm out for a simple handshake to his fellow Republican and the 20-year sheriff of Martin County be able to reach across the aisle to get things done in Washington?” Debbie Crowder writes.

Can any Allen West supporter name a bill he has sponsored and passed? West has no interest in governing. West is in Washington to appear on Fox News and grandstand. The man is utterly unserious about his responsibilities as a lawmaker.

Allen West's False Attack Against Patrick Murphy

Congressman Allen West has released a bizarre and false attack ad against Patrick Murphy. West claims that Murphy either has or will cut $700 billion to Medicare. There is no plan on the Patrick Murphy for Congress web site for such a cut. Murphy has never served in Congress. Therefore, Murphy has never voted for or proposed legislation that would cut $700 billion to Medicare. Allen West is running on Murphy's imaginary Medicare record. Reality hasn't stopped West before.

The Patrick Murphy campaign sent out this press release.

"Congressman West has completely disregarded the truth in his latest attack ad by claiming that Patrick Murphy cut Medicare by $700 billion. First of all, Patrick has never voted for anything in Congress since he has yet to be elected. West also fails to mentionthat he voted for the Ryan Plan twice, which takes the same $716 billion from Medicare as the Afforfable Care Act, but instead of addressing overpayments, the Ryan Plan uses the $716 billion for tax breaks for millionaires," said Murphy for Congress communications director Erin Moffet. "The truth of the matter is, the only candidate in this race who has ever cast a vote in Congress is Allen West - and his votes have continually put the interests of millionaires and billionaires over the interests of seniors and middle class Americans. The lie in his latest ad show West's desperation to hide the fact that he has voted twice to cut Medicare and turn it into a voucher program."

Allen West Unites People Against Him

Remember when Allen West said this at a Jenson Townhall meeting.

Question: "What percentage of the American legislature do you think are card-carrying Marxists or international socialists?"

Answer: "That's a good question. I believe there's about 78 to 81 members of the Democratic Party are members of the Communist Party. It's called the Congressional Progressive Caucus."

Of course, West could never back up this bogus claim. West did manage to make an enemy out of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. The CPC has endorsed Patrick Murphy. Well done, Mr. West.

What Allen West Said

The Patrick Murphy campaign has created the website WhatWestSaid.com. The website feutures the outlandish quotes of Congressman Allen West.

Some gems from Allen West.

Social Security disability... is a form of modern slavery."

"I believe there's about 78 to 81 members of the Democratic Party that are members of the Communist Party."

"President Obama, Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi... get the hell out of the United States of America. Yeah, I said hell."

[Obama] does not want you to have the self-esteem of getting up and earning and having that title of American. He'd rather you be his slave."

There was West's attack against Debbie Wasserman-Schultz. The offense Wasserman-Schultz committed was correctly pointing out that West supports Medicare cuts.

You are vile, unprofessional, and despicable member of the US House of Representatives.

West then shows what a tough guy he is by using threatening language against a female member of Congress.

Let me make myself perfectly clear, you want a personal fight, I am happy to oblige.

If West really wanted a fight, he would have ran against Wasserman-Schultz in 2010. West lives in her district. West decided to run against the vulnerable Rick Klein. So much for being a tough guy.

Patrick Murphy Statement On Allen West

Congressional candidate Patrick Erin Murphy released this statement on Allen West's comments comparing Democratic messaging to Joseph Goebbels.

Statement by Patrick Erin Murphy:

My opponent, Allen West, said today that Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels would be "very proud" of the Democrats. These remarks belittle the Holocaust, insult the Jewish community and the millions of American veterans who fought the Nazis in WWII.

Unfortunately, it is only the latest example of how Allen West is simply out of control.

Equating Democrats and the media to Nazis inflames an already hostile environment for political solutions to develop.

West must apologize immediately.

This is the statement West made.

"If Joseph Goebbels was around, he’d be very proud of the Democrat Party, because they have an incredible propaganda machine."

West reiterated the comparison in a letter to Congressman John Conyers.

“Mr. Conyers, The Democrat Party does indeed have a vicious propaganda machine. It espouses lies and deceit and the Master of deceptive information would truly be proud,” West said, referring to Goebbels. “I have been personally attacked and denigrated on countless occasions. I do not appreciate your letter … Truth is Powerful Sir! Steadfast & Loyal, Allen.”

West then accused the media of falsely reported that he compared the Democratic Party to Hitler's Minister of Propaganda. West isn't interested in governing. West is interested in playing to his tea party base.

Patrick Murphy Raises $450,000

Florida congressional District 22 candidate Patrick Murphy raised $450,000 in the second quarter.

"I am extremely pleased with the unprecedented support our campaign is receiving. Beating Tea Party darling Allen West is going to require raising a great deal of money, but this campaign is proving we can do it. If West isn't concerned about losing his job, then he should be - because there is a growing bi-partisan coalition of support against him. Just as we're seeing with his friend Gov. Rick Scott, there is tremendous buyers remorse - and a desire for more moderate and balanced thinking," said Murphy.

As businessman and CPA, Patrick Murphy is a strong proponent of the middle class. He supports very targeted cuts to improve the efficiency of government and the closing of corporate tax loopholes and ending the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq to bring more resources back home. He is staunchly pro-choice, pro-gay rights, and against the latest GOP-led attacks on health care reform and Medicare.

For more on Patrick Murphy, visit www.patrickmurphy2012.com

Murphy will face Lois Frankel in the Democratic primary. The winner will face Allen West.

Allen West's Seat A Toss Up

The Cook Political Report lists Allen West's seat as a toss up. Democrats Lois Frankel and Patrick Murphy have announced they will run against the incumbent.



The Florida legislature will redraw West's district. Currently, the district has more registered Democrats than Republicans.

Patrick Murphy Running For Aleen West's Seat

Democrat Patrick Murphy is going to run in the district 22 Florida congressional primary. Murphy raised $350,000 in three weeks time. The seat is currently held by Allen West.

The press release.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - Fort Lauderdale, FL - Businessman Patrick Murphy, who filed against Allen West in Florida's CD 22 three weeks before the end of the quarter, raised more money than any other Democratic challenger in the country, according to FEC reports filed today.

Murphy reported over $350,000 in his first 3 weeks - out-raising all other Democratic challengers in the country. In addition, the political newcomer starts the campaign with more cash on hand than incumbent Allen West. Murphy reported $304,261 in cash on hand to Rep. West's $242,613.

"There is tremendous enthusiasm surrounding this campaign. It's clear that voters and donors are rejecting the extremist policies of Allen West, Rick Scott, and the Tea Party in general. But even that won't be enough - it is going to take a fresh campaign like ours with the ability to raise millions of dollars to take Allen West out of office," stated Patrick Murphy.

Murphy's FEC filing showed he is gaining early support from some significant Democratic and community leaders including: State Senator Jeremy Ring who represents a portion of the 22nd district in Broward County; former State Rep. Kevin Rader; former Governor Charlie Crist; former Congressman Harold Ford, Sr.; respected attorneys Jim Ferrraro and Roy Black; prominent Democratic fundraisers Stuart Cauff, Cynthia Leesfield, Ron Ansen and David Adler; and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers' ElectroPAC, among others.

The Crist contribution is interesting. Crist said at Stetson University candidates should have a more civil tone. No one ever accused West of being civil. Crist gave $1,000 to Murphy's campaign.

Murphy’s political consultant, Eric Johnson, was an adviser to Crist’s failed independent campaign for Senate last year.

Judging by the supporters, Murphy is the democratic establishment candidate.