In a speech Sunday night before Denver Democrats, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) challenged the Tea Party to a smackdown: 

“We cannot allow the opportunities that America stands for to beeroded by those who simply want to bring this president down,” she said.

She was cheered when she said, “After a good night sleep, I wake up the next day, and I say, ‘Come on, Tea Party, let’s get it on.'”

The comments were made at the 5th annual House District 7 Unity Dinner.  

Conservatives and Republicans blasted the choice of Rep. Waters as a speaker:

“It’s unbelievable that Rep. Williams would invite scandal-plaguedCongresswoman Maxine Waters to a campaign event. Maxine Waters might bethe most corrupt Member of Congress since Tom DeLay, and I can’t imagineany reasonable human being campaigning with Tom DeLay,” he said.

Earlier this month, the House Ethics Committee confirmed that it plans to continue its inquiry into whether Rep. Waters broke House ethics rules.  

Rep. Waters has said the ethics charges against her are racially motivated.