Baird apologizes for ‘brown shirt’ comments

Rep. Brian Baird (D-Wash.) apologized yesterday for accusing town hall protesters of “brown shirt tactics” and comparing them to a “lynch mob.”

Baird, who originally decided against holding town hall meetings because of expected protests, now says he’ll schedule some forums during the August recess.

“Frankly, I have had concerns about how we can have constructive dialogue and, unfortunately, in response to some of the things we’ve been seeing across the nation I have said some things myself that I regret,” Baird said, according to the Tacoma News Tribune.

“I want to express that regret directly and announce that we will be holding a series of five town halls so people can express their opinions and ask questions.”

Baird made headlines last week by comparing town hall protesters to Nazi guards.

“What we’re seeing right now is close to Brown Shirt tactics,” Baird told the Columbian. “I mean that very seriously.”