Allen West Defends Controversial Comments

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Rep. Allen West (R., Fla.) calls himself the No. 1 target of the Democratic Party.

West, who made headlines two weeks ago when he said he believed "there's about 78 to 81 members of the Democratic Party that are members of the Communist Party," stood by his remark in an interview and said he's fine with being the top target of Democrats.

Rep. Allen West (R., Fla)

"I'm the No.1 target for the Democrat Party. ... I am very happy to be their No. 1 target, because we have to have people who will stand with courage and conviction and character to speak the truth," West said.

West didn't step down from his allegation that many Democrats were also part of the Communist Party.