Former Vice President Joe Biden has not yet committed to a run for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, but he has offered a few comments about the tone of the race thus far.
Biden appeared to reflect on his own recent comments and the fact that he was shamed into apologizing for calling current Vice President Mike Pence “a decent guy” during a speech Tuesday to the International Association of Firefighters.
“Mean pettiness has overtaken our politics,” Joe Biden says.
“If you notice, I get criticized for saying anything nice about a Republican. Folks, that’s not who we are.” https://t.co/NkJuIoh4fP pic.twitter.com/3KeB5iSTze
— ABC News (@ABC) March 12, 2019
“If you notice, I get criticized for saying anything nice about a Republican. Folks, that’s not who we are,” Biden explained. (RELATED: Joe Biden Calls Mike Pence ‘A Decent Guy’: Then He Backtracks)
Pence’s press secretary Alyssa Farah was quick to respond, “… so, is Mike Pence ‘a decent guy’ again?”
… so is Mike Pence a “decent guy” again? https://t.co/1SDnYLgff7
— Alyssa Farah (@VPPressSec) March 12, 2019
Biden also hinted that Tuesday that an announcement about his 2020 plans was coming soon, telling the gathered group that he might need their energy “in a few weeks.”
“I appreciate the energy you showed when I got up here,” he said. “Save it a bit longer. I may need it in a few weeks.”
There was a healthy contingent of prospective Biden supporters on hand to encourage the former Delaware senator.
At the #IAFFLegCon awaiting our friend Joe Biden’s address. We say RUN Joe RUN! pic.twitter.com/GKB67UxeOd
— IAFF Local 3328 (@IAFFLocal3328) March 12, 2019
“Be careful what you wish for,” he added with a smile as some in the crowd chanted, “Run, Joe, run!”