Incoming Rep Allen West: Obama Not A Good Leader Because He Didn’t Put His Life On The Line In Afghanistan

Congressman-elect Allen West continues to make bizarre statements.  In the New York Times Magazine West says Obama doesn’t show leadership because he went to Afghanistan in the middle of the night (h/t Think Progress).

NYT: Do you think those in the military respect him?

WEST: I don’t know, you gotta ask guys in the military, but I will tell you this: I think that going in in the middle of the night doesn’t show leadership.

NYT: Are you referring to that recent three-hour trip to a base in Afghanistan? He needs to consider his own safety, doesn’t he?

WEST: Leaders lead by example, and if I’m asking my young men and women to go out there and put their lives on the line, I should be willing and able to do the exact same thing. As I told my soldiers when I was commander in Iraqin 2003, the most expendable person in our battalion was me.]

President Obama did go to Afghanistan, but did not arrive in “the middle of the night.”  However, just as when George W. Bush made surprise visits to war zones, the trip was shrouded in secrecy for security concerns.  Would West like the president to be on the front lines with a rifle?

By: Alan

Alan Colmes is the publisher of Liberaland.