Dear Lucas,
Every day we see new battle lines being drawn in the Republican War on Women, but we rarely see attacks as direct and outrageous as the one we told you about yesterday from Florida Republican Rep. Allen West.
After she spoke on the House floor about protecting seniors, West called DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz "vile" and "despicable." He told her to "shut the heck up" and accused her of not "being a lady." And yesterday, instead of apologizing like any decent human being would do, he actually raised money off his own shameful attacks.
Other Republicans have fallen silent. No one from his own party is standing up to condemn West's foul diatribe. The GOP must be too busy cooking up new ways to declare war on American women -- attacking our health care and our reproductive rights, and threatening our economic security with their debt ceiling antics.
Let's send a message today: whether the Republicans use legislation or insults, no attack will go unanswered.
This is too important a moment to let pass. Please act today.
Sincerely,
Amy K. Dacey
Executive Director
EMILY's List
------------ Forwarded message ------------
From: Stephanie Schriock
Sent: July 20, 2011
Subject: Not a lady?
Dear Amy,
Well I thought I'd seen the worst. But Cong. Allen West's angry, hostile tirade to DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz is truly despicable. If you had any doubt about the Republican war on women, look no further than West's email -- it's threatening, sexist and demeaning. His email speaks for itself:
From: Allen West
Sent: Tuesday, July 19, 2011 04:48 PM
To: Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Subject: Unprofessional and Inappropriate Sophomoric Behavior from Wasserman-Schultz
Look, Debbie . . . let me make myself perfectly clear . . . you are the most vile, unprofessional, and despicable member of the US House of Representatives. If you have something to say to me, stop being a coward and say it to my face, otherwise, shut the heck up. . . You have proven repeatedly that you are not a Lady, therefore, shall not be afforded due respect from me!"
Excerpts from an email by Congressman Allen B West (R-FL)
I am outraged. Enough is enough! We can't sit by and watch such an appalling action from one of our elected officials. I need you to speak out right now -- tell Allen West that you are standing with Debbie against this outrageous and despicable behavior.
Make no mistake -- the GOP is dead set on pushing their anti-woman agenda, and we've seen it clear as day in West's attack on Debbie. Debbie is many things -- a devoted advocate for families in Florida, an elected official, a mother and wife, and a leader in the Democratic Party. We need to stand behind her right now and demand Allen West apologize to Debbie and to the American people.
This is our country, and we don't have to tolerate this kind of behavior.
Join us.
Stephanie Schriock
President