DFL calls on Quist to apologize for terrorism comment

Rep. Tim Walz and Allen Quist

The state Democratic party called on Republican candidate Allen Quist to apologize on Tuesday for statements he made at a Wabasha Republicans Christmas party that called the battle against Democrats bigger than the battle against terrorism. Quist told the Minnesota Independent over the weekend that his comments were taken out of context by liberal bloggers.

“Mr. Quist is backtracking and saying that his comments were taken out of context,” said DFL chairman Brian Melendez in a statement. “Well, then what did he mean when he called Representative Walz and our country’s leaders a bigger threat than terrorists?”

Trista Matascastillo, chair of the DFL Veterans Caucus, said that Quist’s comments about his opponent, Rep. Tim Walz, were “inexcusable.”

“I can’t imagine a context in which Allen Quist’s comments about Representative Walz would be appropriate, acceptable or in any way defendable — the video doesn’t lie,” said Matascastillo in the same press release. “Representative Walz has steadfastly served our country; he rose to the highest enlisted rank of Command Sergeant Major over his 24-years of service in the National Guard and now is a leader in Congress. Allen Quist needs to apologize for his inexcusable comments rather than trying to explain away his views.”