The Democratic congressman famous for tough-talking quips — such as claiming the Republican health care plan is to urge the sick to “die quickly” and declaring that Fox News is an “enemy to America” — says he’s got more than words in his arsenal.

After a conservative media critic jokingly offered $100 to any Republican House member willing to take a swing at Rep. Alan Grayson (R-FL), the congressman didn’t say “bring it on” but he did say he’d “punch back.”

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“I’ll give $100 to first Rep. who punches smary [sic] idiot Alan Grayson in nose. He’s a caricature of a congressman,” tweeted Vice President of the Media Research Center Dan Gainor.

Moments later, Gainor clarified that the offer was in jest. “It was a humorous offer. Though I’d love to see the video,” he tweeted.

“I think they intimidate people,” Grayson told MSNBC’s Ed Schultz on Tuesday. “That’s what the right wing does. They try to instill fear in the other side. Just today somebody tweeted, ‘I’ll give $100 to somebody who punches Alan Grayson in the face.'”

“Do you consider this a promotion of violence?” asked Schultz.

“I do but I just want to let him know I punch back,” replied Grayson.

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“If somebody came up to you from this outfit, you’d nail them right back, huh? I knew you were my kind of guy,” said Schultz.

“You should see my reach,” joked Grayson.

After arguing into the next day over Twitter that he wouldn’t apologize for his joke, Gainor finally Tweeted, “To repeat, I apologize to anyone who was genuinely offended by poor attempt at humor.”

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This video is from MSNBC’s The Ed Show, broadcast July 20, 2010.



