According to a pool report from Tuesday's event in Dayton, Biden was telling the crowd that Democrats know how to balance the budget. He said, "If I hear one more Republican tell me about balancing the budget, I am going to strangle them."

He quickly added: "To the press, that's a figure of speech."

Biden joined former Vice President Walter Mondale at the fundraiser for 350 people paying at least $150.

Earlier in the day, Biden spoke at a rally at Macalester College in St. Paul and focused on the Obama administration's efforts to turn the economy around.

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Attention U.S. Secret Service:

I am aware that it is a federal crime to threaten the life of the vice-president. But I believe that extenuating circumstances would cause it not to be considered a crime in some cases. Be advised that if Joe Biden approaches me and attempts to strangle me, I will kill him in self-defense.

He quickly added: "To the press, that's a figure of speech."