Rep. Allen West – and the Congressional Black Caucus

Of all the developments worth following these days, from the vigorous Republican insurgency to the apathetic Obama presidency, I’d like to add another: the relationship between the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) and Republican freshman Allen West of Florida.

West, 50, is the first Republican to join the CBC since Congressman Gary Franks of Connecticut. In his three terms in the House, 1990 to 1996, Franks joined the black caucus, threatened to quit, then recanted and signed on again.