( CNN ) -- Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz , chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee , walked back her comments Thursday invoking images of domestic abuse when talking about Gov . Scott Walker of Wisconsin . `` I should n't have used the words I used , '' she said through spokeswoman Lily Adams . `` But that should n't detract from the broader point that I was making that Scott Walker 's policies have been bad for Wisconsin women , whether it 's mandating ultrasounds , repealing an equal pay law or rejecting federal funding for preventative health care . Walker 's record speaks for itself . '' Wasserman Schultz has been heavily criticized in social media and in conservative media for saying Wednesday that Walker `` has given women the back of his hand '' because of his policies impacting women . She made the remarks while in Wisconsin campaigning for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mary Burke , who is trying to unseat Walker , the incumbent Republican . As the leading Democratic said her words were ill chosen , Walker responded to her comments for the first time Thursday . On the Jerry Bader show on Wisconsin radio station WHBL , he said his opponent , Burke , should `` absolutely '' speak out against them . `` I think anyone should . If anyone made comments like that , I do n't care if they are Democrat , Republican or anyone else , to use language like that is just an affront and outrageous . '' Burke , a former executive at Trek Bicycle Corporation , had already distanced herself from Wasserman Schultz 's statement . Those comments are `` not the type of language that Mary Burke would use , or has used , to point out the clear differences in this contest , '' Stephanie Wilson , press secretary for Burke , said . `` There is plenty that she and Gov . Walker disagree on , but those disagreements can and should be pointed out respectfully . '' Wasserman Schultz , who represents Florida , spent a total of several hours before and after the event with friend and colleague , Wisconsin Rep. Gwen Moore , who has publicly spoken about her experience as a domestic violence victim . Women voters are critical to Democrats ' voter base and are less likely to turn out for midterm elections . Burke has advanced in the polls , making the race between Burke and Scott extremely close , according to a trio of polls since mid-July . In the latest response by Adams , Wasserman Schultz slammed the congressional Republicans who opposed the latest version of the Violence Against Women Act , which gives legal protections for domestic violence victims . Moore came to Wasserman Schultz 's defense . She `` applauds the chairwoman 's audacity and courage in her pursuit to defend economic and social equality for all women , '' her spokesman , Eric Harris , told CNN . CNN 's Ashley Killough and Steve Brusk contributed to this story .
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz : I `` should n't have used the words I used '' that is not what I meant." Scott Walker `` has given women the back of his hand '' But she says her comments `` should n't detract '' from Walker 's policies that hurt women . Wisconsin Rep. Gwen Moore defends Wasserman Schultz .