Tea Party Rep. Allen West (R-FL) blamed Standard & Poor’s downgrade of U.S. debt squarely on Democrats, saying this morning on Fox and Friends that “they are the ones that are totally to blame.” West added that the downgrade “has nothing to do with increasing revenues by tax hikes,” saying only spending mattered. Watch it:
This is likely news to S&P, as they said revenues had everything to do with their decision. If West had bothered to read and accurately present the rating agency’s explanation for its move, he would see they repeatedly expressed concern about the lack of revenues in the debt ceiling deal and Republicans’ stated refusal to raise revenues in the future. For example:
We have changed our assumption on this because the majority of Republicans in Congress continue to resist any measure that would raise revenues, a position we believe Congress reinforced by passing the act.
West went on to feign some outrage against Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), calling his comments labeling S&P’s move the “Tea Party downgrade” as “the most insidious thing I’ve ever heard.” West has apparently led a very pleasant life if that’s the most insidious thing he’s ever heard — though his dishonesty might be worse.
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