Rep.-elect Allen West yesterday tapped WFTL afternoon radio host Joyce Kaufman as his chief of staff; she will continue her radio show from Washington, according to a statement on the station’s website. #
A screenshot of a YouTube clip featuring Rep.-elect Allen West, R-Fort Lauderdale, and his new chief of staff, Joyce Kaufman (Pic via YouTube)
The station wrote in a statement, “While Joyce has accepted a position on the staff of Congressman-Elect Allen West, CD 22, she has been retained as our Washington correspondent. … Keep listening for details.” #
The Florida Independent reported on some of Kaufman’s incendiary comments yesterday morning. #
On her Tuesday afternoon show, Kaufman expressed excitement about the selection, repeatedly saying how “blessed” she was. For guidance on the decision, she said that she had met with former Congressman Clay Shaw (who held the district until 2007) and Mark Foley, who resigned from Congress in 2006 after it was revealed that he sent sexually explicit instant messages to male pages. #
Kaufman said that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi — who may well become minority leader in the next Congress — was “horrific, wrongheaded and a liar.” On Washington, D.C.’s strict gun laws, she said, “I’ve got to examine this whole can’t-carry-a-gun-thing,” adding that it made her feel “naked.” (On her bio, it says that she carries a .357 Magnum.) #
She conceded that jobs and economy were the most important issue, but vowed not to give up on the subject of illegal immigration after a caller from Floridians for Immigration Enforcement called up. “It’s too dangerous to keep on the back burner,” he said to her, in a congratulatory call. #
She also took plenty of time in the show to praise West endlessly. “He’s a great negotiator, and obviously a great interrogator,” she said, chuckling, a reference to West’s Article 32 hearing for torturing an Iraqi policeman by faking his execution and shooting a 9-millimeter pistol behind his head. #
Her appointment also may raise potential ethics violations, according to ThinkProgress: #
Carol Dixon, counsel for the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, told ThinkProgress that she had not heard of Kaufman’s situation in particular, but said that generally this setup could be “potentially problematic.” “There may be potential confidentiality issues — some of the issues she’s reporting on may be gained by virtue of her House status. At a staff level it seems problematic,” Dixon said. The committee’s rules also say Kaufman must earn a fair market salary from WFTL, and refrain from using any office equipment for her radio duties. #
Luke Johnson reports on Florida for The American Independent. #
