A Democratic candidate for state Legislature in Minnesota has quit the House of Representatives race after posting a tweet Saturday describing Daesh (ISIS) as not "necessarily evil," just one day after Daesh-coordinated attacks killed over 120 in Paris.
The backlash to the tweet was, of course, swift and heavy.
Dan Kimmel’s poorly timed comment—which he claims was referring to something said at the Democratic debate and had no relation to the Paris attacks—was instantly condemned and reportedly led to his party asking him to withdraw from the race.
If you want to learn how to lose an election in 1 tweet, follow Dan Kimmel.
— Suplex City (@Lesnar58) November 15, 2015@CenTexAg @KimmelDan just when you think you've heard the most stupid thing ever on Twitter along comes Dan Kimmel
— Chris D'Amura (@cdamura) November 15, 2015Genghis Khan wasn't necessarily evil. He was just a guy doing what he thought was best for the Mongol community -- Historian #DanKimmel
— Philip Terzian (@PhilipTerzian) November 15, 2015@johnkriesel @dankimmel.......this guy needs to go sit in the corner or at least pass a breathalyzer before tweeting.
— TEEJ (@Jastman10) November 15, 2015
Kimmel issued an explanation on his campaign website, an excerpt of which can be seen below:
“My tweet last evening was in response to a statement made during the candidate debates, not in response to the activities in Paris. It was poorly worded and did not convey my intent.
“I do think the attacks in Paris yesterday, along with other ISIS terrorist actions, are cowardly and despicable. My heart breaks for the people of France, of Paris, the families of those wounded or killed and the casualties themselves. My thoughts are with them. I condemn the attacks, as I condemn all violence.”
Of course, Twitter users noticed and called him out for his backtracking.
Dan Kimmel: ISIS isn't evil Dan Kimmel: ISIS is evil What a difference a few hours and lost votes make.
— Just Call Me Mister (@MisterMetokur) November 15, 2015#DanKimmel folds his tent. Backpedaled by saying, "I deplore the evil acts of ISIS. I do not defend their acts." Way too late, dum-dum.
— Truth To The Core (@ABWright824) November 16, 2015By Kane Hippisley-Gatherum
