OSKALOOSA, Iowa, Nov. 4 (UPI) -- Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., campaigning in Iowa, told a small crowd Saturday she is tough enough to take what her presidential campaign rivals dish out.

Clinton's remark, during an appearance at the Nelson Pioneer Farm and Museum, was an indirect response to last week's debate among the Democratic presidential candidates, The Des Moines Register reported. She was criticized for not taking a clear stand on major issues.

"With 60 days left until the caucus, things are going to get a little hotter, because obviously the campaign is going to get heated up and speeded up," Clinton said.

She cited President Harry Truman's adage, "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen."

"Well, I feel real comfortable in the kitchen, so the heat is going to get hotter and hotter," she said.

Clinton plans to release a farm policy proposal Monday. She suggested it will include bringing new technology to rural areas, including alternative energy sources.