(CNN) In the debate over whether Democrats should go low against President Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers or rise above partisan attacks, count former Attorney General Eric Holder as an advocate of getting into the gutter.

Holder, while campaigning in Georgia on Sunday, told an audience that he disagreed with former first lady Michelle Obama's much touted mantra, "When they go low, we go high."

"It is time for us as Democrats to be as tough as they are, to be as dedicated as they are, to be as committed as they are," Holder said. "Michelle always says, Michelle Obama, I love her. She and my wife are really tight. Which always scares me and Barack. Michelle always says, 'When they go low, we go high.' No. No. When they go low, we kick them."

The potential 2020 candidate added: "That's what this new Democratic Party is about. We are proud as hell to be Democrats. We are willing to fight for the ideals of the Democratic Party. We are proud of our history, we are proud of our present and we are proud of the future that we can create for this country."

"When I say we kick them, I don't mean we do anything inappropriate, we don't do anything illegal, but we have to be tough and we have to fight," he said later.

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