Florida Rep. Allen West — the lone Republican in the Congressional Black Caucus — said Monday that there was nothing racially coded about Newt Gingrich's characterization of President Obama as a "food-stamp president."
"There is no race code. In fact, since President Obama has been in office, you've seen a 4 to 1 increase in food-stamp recipients in the United State of America," West said.
The Tea Party freshman said that candidates campaigning in his state would need to draw a contrast with Obama to win.
"You're going to have to be able to show the contrast for your vision for the country in contrast to Barack Obama," West said.
He also said that since candidates won't be able to campaign all across the state — with 10 distinct media markets and expensive travel necessary to move between cities — candidates will have to hone their message.
"It'll be interesting, because you can't get out there and go out to every state [sic] in Florida," West said. He added candidates must "understand the message has got to be about how they're going to defend hardworking American taxpayers and their families."
West also deflected criticism of the Tea Party caucus in the House being difficult to work with and undermining House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) in budget negotiations.
"I don't think the situation has to do with the House GOP … what we see with President Obama is that he's tripled down on his radical left-wing agenda," West said.
In the most recent negotiations surrounding the payroll tax extension, West laid blame on Republicans in the Senate.
"I think there was a breakdown in understanding policy over politics," West said.
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