Rep. Allen West Explains ‘Communist’ Remark, Implies Pres. Woodrow Wilson Was A Communist

Hey, remember when Rep. Allen West said he’d “heard” up to 80 Senate Democrats are communists (referring to the Congressional Progressive Caucus)? On Tuesday, West explained that expansion of welfare programs constitutes as communism — and said it’s not a recent problem. President Woodrow Wilson? Guilty.

RELATED: Rep. Allen West: I’ve ‘Heard’ Up To 80 House Democrats Are Communist Party Members

Regarding his original comments, West said, “No, I don’t regret it whatsoever.” He went on to imply that Wilson was a communist who hid behind the label “progressive”:

“And I think that if you would take the time to study the political spectrum of ideologies, you’d understand that at the turn of the [20th] century, American Communists renamed themselves as progressives. If you study the Woodrow Wilson administration, people referred to the Woodrow Wilson administration as a progressive administration.”

Those in the media, he said, “should do a little research.” West went on to discuss how there’s a “very thin line” between communism, progressivism, Marxism, and socialism:

“It’s about nationalizing production, it’s about creating and expanding the welfare state. It’s about this idea of social and economic justice. And you hear that being played out — you know, now with fairness, fair share, economic equality, shared sacrifice, ad nauseum, ad infinitum.”

West said he welcomes anyone to debate him. Asked whether he genuinely thinks his opponents support extreme/radical philosophies, West emphatically replied, “I just went down the line and gave you examples of legislation.”

“I’m not gonna back down, I’m not gonna be afraid about the fact that I call a spade a spade,” he said. “That’s my responsibility to the American people.”

Take a look at West’s comments:

(H/T TPM)

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