Rep. Maxine Waters told an angry crowd of supporters over the weekend that the "Tea Party can go straight to hell," a sure sign that Democrats are ratcheting up the rhetoric despite their frequent calls for civility in discourse.
The California Democrat last week told a Detroit crowd that she was frustrated with the Obama administration's approach to the economy, urging voters to "unleash" her on the White House.
But at the forum in Inglewood, Calif., on Saturday, Waters directed her ire at the Tea Party.
"I'm not afraid of anybody. This is a tough game. You can't be intimidated. You can't be frightened. And as far as I'm concerned, the Tea Party can go straight to hell," she said.
Video of her remarks was captured by the ABC affiliate in Los Angeles.
Waters and other lawmakers at the event were faced with a series of questions from residents about what the government can do to fuel job creation.