Florida Democrats blasted West’s comments and demanded an apology.
“Rep. West’s comparison of himself to one of our nation’s treasured human rights leaders is outrageously insulting and beyond offensive to African Americans everywhere,” said state Rep. Joe Gibbons.
“Allen West’s remarks comparing himself to Harriet Tubman, an American treasure and civil rights icon, is truly outrageous,” Florida Democratic Party Executive Director Scott Arceneaux said.
“It would be just plain sad if West were not representing the people of Florida in Congress and contemplating a U.S. Senate run,” he continued. “This is the kind of disregard for others and bizarre, out-of-touch behavior we have come to expect from Tea Party Republican West, and it’s an insult to the people he represents as well as our state.”
Racial tensions were flaring at the meeting in Detroit where Waters was in the hot seat.
Waters said the Congressional Black Caucus “loves” the president, but it is frustrated.
“We’re getting tired, y’all,” she said. “We want to give him every opportunity. But our people are hurting. The unemployment is unconscionable. … When you let us know it is time to let go, we’ll let go.”
The unemployment rate for African Americans is 15.9 percent while nationwide it stands at 9.1 percent.