U.S. Rep. Allen West, R-Plantation, will not seek the Republican nomination for president or vice president in 2012. The GOP field is wide open, but no one was asking about the freshman congressman's presidential aspirations -- until he was interviewed Saturday at the Conservative Republican Forum.

"Well, of course not," West said in response.

"It’s so important that we as conservatives avoid the cult of personality style of leadership. But we really do elevate people based upon merit and talent. And, you know, I have to prove myself as an American statesman, as a political leader, and not just someone that is able to, you know, give some good speeches," West added.