Since coming to Washington, West - a former Army colonel who once fired a gun near an detainee's head in Iraq - has been sought out for his military expertise and strong conservative views. He's also been a magnet for controversy.
In January, West drew fire for saying that Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., the first Muslim member of Congress, "really does represent the antithesis of the principles upon which this country was established." He accused Republican leaders of not working hard enough and has repeatedly criticized the president.
Wasserman Schultz likes to dish it out, too, and her new role as head of the Democratic Party has given her a stage to criticize Republicans. She has sometimes made misleading statements.
Whether she broke House decorum by criticizing West was a matter of dispute. House rules dictate that a member should "avoid impugning the motives of another member ... using offensive language or uttering words that are otherwise deemed unparliamentary."
Ornstein, the congressional expert, said he considered her comments "insensitive" because West was not in the room. But he added that West's response was "crude and over the line."
Donald Ritchie, the historian of the Senate, said, "There's been lots of strong language, but that seems rather mild by comparison."
"Things are said here very aggressively, sometimes too aggressively," said Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, a Miami Republican. But, he added, "We are fighting ideological battles, and they are serious. You're going to have very strong passions."
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It seems West can dish it out but can't take it.