Allen West's Town Hall in Boynton Beach

Earlier this evening Congressman Allen West conducted a Town Hall meeting at St Mark's Catholic School in Boynton Beach and one thing was evident before the event began - future events are going to need a larger arena. It was a standing room only crowd Monday evening in the school's gymnasium which included roughly 95% raving fans. Heightened security was evident as per the Giffords incident, but no citizens were frisked or anything too dramatic - just a heavy police and Secret Service presence.

This was his first public event in Palm Beach County since his election in November and unlike his many campaign events, there were no large Gadsden flags waiving.

Congressman West began the meeting with a quick PowerPoint presentation representing the financial condition of the United States, then asked for those who had not voted for him to be the first to come to the microphone to ask questions and to see how he "can better serve you."

A bevy of cameras from various news outlets, local and national, we on hand to record the event which drew only a small number of fireworks. Also in attendance besides West's staff was his accomplished wife and two children. The first question from the crowd was from a college age girl bringing up the reason for West's suspension as battalion commander for the 4th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army. West was suspended for using an unauthorized interrogation technique to help save the lives of his soldiers. Congressman West quickly responded that had she been one of the soldiers in his command today and the same situation arose, he would do the same thing to protect her life.

Ultimately there were only a handful of questions and comments at the microphone that one would consider "tough" questions and the Congressman handled each deftly and with ease.