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Thursday, Aug 30, 2012 7:32 PM UTC

Allen West: No comment on Ryan’s dishonesty

The feisty Rep. from Florida takes a rare pass on giving a quote: "That's between Paul Ryan and the speechwriters"

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Topics: Republican National Convention, Allen West, Paul Ryan, 2012 Elections,

Allen West: No comment on Ryan's dishonesty (Credit: AP)

TAMPA — Florida Rep. Allen West demurred from defending vice-presidential nominee Paul Ryan’s Wednesday convention speech, which has been widely panned for its factual inaccuracies. When Salon asked the Tea Party hero today if he had any comment for media fact-checkers who had condemned the speech, West replied, “Whoever the speechwriters are, that’s their business. Not mine.”

Asked a second time specifically about a fact-checker article the AP ran this morning refuting numerous key points in Ryan’s speech, West responded, “That’s between Paul Ryan and the speechwriters. Not me.” Given his famed loquaciousness, West’s silence may speak loudest.

Salon expected West, who almost never misses an opportunity to pick to a fight, to tee off against the media and fact-checker organizations. A Romney strategist said Monday, “Fact checkers come to this with their own sets of thoughts and beliefs, and we’re not going to let our campaign be dictated by fact checkers.”

West also said he wants to go shooting with actor Clint Eastwood, who will deliver a surprise speech to the convention tonight. “Maybe he’ll show up with his .357 Magnum and say ‘make my day’ … I would love to go shooting with Clint Eastwood, that sounds awesome.”

Alex Seitz-Wald

Alex Seitz-Wald is Salon's political reporter. Email him at aseitz-wald@salon.com, and follow him on Twitter @aseitzwald. More Alex Seitz-Wald.

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