Congresswoman Allegedly "Not A Lady"

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz criticized Florida Rep. Allen West’s support for a budget plan that would cut Medicare. So he called her “vile, despicable” and “not a Lady.”

According to The Hill, Wasserman Schultz told the House on Tuesday, “The gentleman from Florida, who represents thousands of Medicare beneficiaries, as do I, is supportive of this plan that would increase costs for Medicare beneficiaries — unbelievable from a member from South Florida.” In response, West sent Wasserman Schultz and several other members of Congress an email titled, “Unprofessional and Inappropriate Sophomoric Behavior from Wasserman Schultz.” The email read, in part,

Look, Debbie, I understand that after I departed the House floor you directed your floor speech comments directly towards me. Let me make myself perfectly clear, you want a personal fight, I am happy to oblige. 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.

He also wrote, “From this time forward, understand that I shall defend myself forthright against your heinous characterless behavior. You have proven repeatedly that you are not a Lady, therefore, shall not be afforded due respect from me!”

Unless we’re missing something, this is the most bizarrely disproportionate response we’ve seen in a long time. It’s also more than a little sexist — since when does criticizing a fellow politician’s ideas make you “not a Lady?” Wasserman Schultz’s office took the high road, however. Keeping the focus on the issues, her spokesman said, “I don’t think that Congressman West is upset at the congresswoman, but rather with the fact that she highlighted that he and other Republicans are once again trying to balance the budget on the backs of seniors, children and the middle class.”

Wasserman Schultz Brushes Off West Email [The Hill]
Allen West: Debbie Wasserman Schultz ‘Vile’, ‘Not A Lady’ [Huffington Post]