There is one group of voters former Vice President Joe Biden (D) doubts he can win over in the general election — the president’s base.
Biden was asked if he thinks he can win over some of President Donald Trump’s strongest supporters during a fundraising event on Wednesday.
“His base? Probably not,” Biden responded according to a pool report. He added, “There are people who support the president because they like the fact that he is engaged in the politics of division.”
He continued, “They really support the notion that, you know, all Mexicans are rapists and all Muslims are bad and … dividing this nation based on ethnicity, race. This is the one of the few presidents who succeeded by deliberately trying to divide the country, not unite the country.”
The former vice president continued to describe his own base as “white working-class, high school educated people.” And he noted that many voters from that demographic voted for Trump because they were “going through a really difficult transition.”
Additionally, Biden noted that Trump made an argument in 2016 that Democrats let down “the forgotten man.”
But, Biden said Trump failed them, “As soon as he got elected, you forgot the forgotten man.”
Additionally, Biden accused Trump of lacking empathy. He added that he believes that is part of the reason Democrats will win over those voters who vote for Trump in 2016.
He also said he believes that Trump’s effort to get rid of the Affordable Care Act will be a major issue in driving voters to support Democrats.
Finally, Biden said he believes voters are “looking for an alternative” to Trump in the election. He added, “I hope to God, I can provide that alternative … I really mean it. I think there’s a chance.”
Biden’s comments come as he rolled out a series of high-profile endorsements for his presidential bid — including former President Barack Obama.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who also endorsed Biden, urged Americans to “come together” to support the former vice president and defeat Trump — who he called the “most dangerous president in the modern history of this country.”