(CNN) - Rep. Allen West, the at-times controversial congressman from Florida in his first term, will deliver the keynote address at the Conservative Political Action Conference Saturday.
West announced the news in a tweet Wednesday: "I've been asked today to have the honor of giving the closing keynote address at CPAC Saturday. I'm humbled."
CPAC organizers had asked Sarah Palin to deliver the high profile speech, but the former Alaska governor declined, citing scheduling conflicts.
“Congressman West epitomizes the core conservative values CPAC attendees treasure: a basic belief in human freedom, traditional values, and a love of country based on an appreciation of the nation’s founding documents,” said David A. Keene, CPAC's organizer.
West is an Iraq War veteran who was backed by the Tea Party in last November's election. He is also one of two Republican African Americans serving in the House.
The new GOP congressman recently faced heat over comments directed at Muslim Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minnesota, who he said represents "the antithesis of the principles upon which this country was established."
West defended those comments last week in a town hall when pressed on the issue by Nezar Hamze, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Miami.
"I will always defend your right to practice a free religion under the First Amendment," West told Hamze. "But what you must understand, if I am speaking the truth, I am not going to stop speaking the truth. The truth is not subjective."
From CNN Politics
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I watched Rep. Allen West in his presentation to the Tea Party members, he was phenomenal and gets it, I truly hope that he walks the walk and just doesn't talk the talk, his understanding of what America is founded upon is direct and clear. His years of service in the military have provided him with a picture and a basis for the true difference between our Nation and those of the world, including Europe.
They couldn't get Ms. Half Term so they picked this lunatic? Just when ya thought the Republican base couldn't get any crazier!
Good for CPAC. Allen is nuts, and would be a good choice for them, as they also appear to be a few cards short of a full deck.
Makes sense to me. The proud american senator will always protect your right to practice whichever religion you choose...just make sure it's not one of them weird ones you freak!
I really do not like this guy. He is such a freakin "uncle tom" it oozes from his pores. To be feel honored and humbled to be second fiddle behind an air-head like Sarah Palin diminishes his actual accomplishments and intelligence but he is not smart enough to know that. He better watch out as he will end up like Micheal Steele used and tossed out like a tampon.
Would someone please inform Rep. West that the truth IS subjective. What is true in one person'e eyes may not be the same truth to someone else. Facts, on the other hand, are not subjective.
Please Mr. West...take a lobbying job and stay in DC. I have no idea who voted for you but the State of Florida has enough idiots in office. Take Rick Felony Scott and Macro I will walk away from my mortgage Rubio with you. I am moving from Florida as soon as the school year is over.
Wonder if he'll bring his biker buddies to serve as body guards ......
Ok, I've just got to ask? What were the people of Florida in this man's district thinking? Seriously? Or were they not thinking at all?
West's comments about Muslims are a disgrace for American and office he holds!
. "But what you must understand, if I am speaking the truth, I am not going to stop speaking the truth. The truth is not subjective."
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First of al West, don't be "humbled" about being asked to speak at this yahoo-sheets-are-at-the-laundry-that's-why-we-didn't-wear-them convention, be LEERY. They asked the Goldigger from Wassilla FIRST,and she turned them down. Be WARY of your newfound "friends" West; drop a dime on Mushmouth Mikey Steele. See how they lured him in,used him, and promptly discarded him. Watch your back.
Secondly, you state in the above quote "...if I am speaking the truth...". Here's an obeservation, you shouldn't be talking unless you're speaking the truth. Did you just admit that you open up your mouth to lie just as easily as to tell the truth?
On second thought dismiss my previous advice to you, it appears that you'll fit right in with your new crowd.
I hope they tear you a new one, or maybe you'll teach THEM a trick or two,huh?
YEY! GOP has its new black puppet!
Where's Sarah? This guy is just as off the wall, but not nearly so entertaining.
Hey they found a black republican! That's the actual news story...
Humbled ? This guy just seeps uptightness . When will he be on Dancing with the Stars ?
These republicans use their african american officials as puppets and then throw them under the bus when they don't need them anymore. Just look at Michael Steele. I'm just staing the obvious and the truth. It may be Black History Month, but give me a break.
CPAC has chosen the perfect person, for this particular moment in time, he embodies the Republicans & Tea Party movements. No negative comment, he reflects and carries their ideas, messages -a Gunga Din of sorts. When people are lost in desert, and dying of thirst, they become desperate and will consume what they believe to be nourishment.
it is the closing keynote address, not the opening, therefore, how many would have left town already?????....thank goodness, he will be only one termer....
My hope is that the Dems worse nightmare Herman Cain also is speaking there as well.
I also am a huge fan of Allen West, shhhhh, he is an African American Conservative, sorry Dumocrats.
Herman Cain, busnessman, SUCCESSFUL at saving commpanies, making budgets, real executive experience unlike Oblunder.
He started from the ground up and worked....... his way through life and is a REAL AMERICAN success story.
Strong Conservative, knows what life is about from square one, smart, outstanding orator and shhhhh, he is a Conservative African American.
Just watching this third world media we have stumbling and bumbling on what to say about him would be worth EVERYTHING.
Herman Cain – 2012
Don't know that I'd want to do anything that Sarah Palin was 1st asked to do but that's up to him.
If he is so brutally honest and contraversial, maybe he will call the GOP out for it's mean spirited and crudely hypocritical words, deeds, policies and the lunatics that are hostile to anyone other than rich, white men.
Notice, they gave him the closing keynote... That's all FOLKS! what a clown
West needs to discover his African roots before he attacks anyone and that's where he will find the truth and not by demoralizing his own people. If West hasn't learned anything from the recent dethroning of Steele, he too will be of no value to the Republican party.
Thanks for the LAUGH GOP. I needed it.
Another Steele. Please Mr. West think before you talk and consider America as a whole and not as a tool of wealthy TEA Party chants.
Well, I think that they may have picked a winner. All he has to do is learn how to speak diplomatically more than he is now.