Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a member of the U.S. House from Florida, is shown speaking at the University of Miami in Coral Gables in 2012. On Wednesday in Milwaukee, she criticized Gov. Scott Walker for his record on women’s issues. Credit: Carolyn Kaster

By of the

UPDATE: DNC chair retreats from Scott Walker ‘back of hand’ remark

Democratic National Committee chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz ripped into Republican Gov. Scott Walker's record Wednesday during a round-table discussion on women's issues at the Milwaukee Athletic Club.

The Florida congresswoman said: "Scott Walker has given women the back of his hand. I know that is stark. I know that is direct. But that is reality."

Wasserman Schultz added: "What Republican tea party extremists like Scott Walker are doing is they are grabbing us by the hair and pulling us back. It is not going to happen on our watch."

Republican Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch said she was "shocked" that Wasserman Schultz used domestic violence language to discuss political disagreements.

"I think the remarks were absolutely hideous and the motive behind them was despicable," Kleefisch said.

Kleefisch called on Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mary Burke to "denounce these outrageous statements" made by the DNC leader.

Stephanie Wilson, Burke's press secretary, suggested in a statement that Wasserman Schultz's comments went too far.

"That's not the type of language that Mary Burke would use, or has used, to point out the clear differences in this contest," Wilson said.

Wilson added, "There is plenty that she and Governor Walker disagree on — but those disagreements can and should be pointed out respectfully."

Lily Adams, DNC deputy communications director, said in a statement, "Domestic violence is an incredibly serious issue, and the congresswoman (Wasserman Schultz) was by no means belittling the very real pain survivors experience."

She added that Democrats have long supported the Violence Against Women Act. Some Republican conservatives in the U.S. House sought to block reauthorization of the law in 2012-'13.

During her appearance in Milwaukee, Wasserman Schultz was joined by U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, a Milwaukee Democrat who took the lead in the House to reauthorize the law that provides services and protections to women victimized by domestic violence. Protections were extended to gays and lesbians, women on tribal reservations, and others.

Other issues

Wasserman Schultz attacked Walker's opposition to increasing the minimum wage. She also slammed Walker for signing a bill in 2012 that would prevent people subjected to employment discrimination from seeking punitive and compensatory damages in state court.

Democrats have also criticized Walker and Republicans for passing tighter regulations on abortion.

With Burke and Jefferson County District Attorney Susan Happ, the attorney general candidate, at the top of their ticket, Democrats are eager to turn out their base among women voters Nov. 4. The latest Marquette University Law School poll shows both Democrats are leading among women voters.

Walker and Waukesha County District Attorney Brad Schimel, the Republican candidate for attorney general, have leads among men.

Wasserman Schultz said the Burke-Walker matchup is a "major race" for Democrats.

"She has run a campaign from beginning to now that is exactly on track to make sure she's elected governor, a slow rolling boil that will eventually reach a crescendo that will send her to the governor's office," Wasserman Schultz said.

Wasserman Schultz's remarks set off a minor political firestorm that built over the hours, with the Republican National Committee and Republican Governors Association delivering scathing statements. RGA Communications Director Gail Gitcho called the remarks "appalling and shameful."

The comments prompted chatter on CNN's "The Lead with Jake Tapper." Correspondent Dana Bash said the controversy was unlikely to end quickly.