Allen West is a potential long-term concern. A possible star in the GOP... he’s ultra-conservative, a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel, charismatic and speaks directly to the passions of the Tea Party. On top of that, he’s African American.
We know that Tea Party leaders love to have African Americans speak against "inner city entitlement culture" because it gives them cover for their racially inflammatory agenda. So no wonder the Tea Party is drooling over Allen West, who is a zealous evangelist of the people-in-need-are-parasites message the Right is so hot on right now.
This YouTube clip shows how his charm and charisma as a speaker belie the venom in his message.