Speaking to MSNBC's Nicolle Wallace on "Deadline White House" Thursday, President Joe Biden was finishing up after chatting about the late Sen. John McCain (R-AZ). Wallace, who served in the George W. Bush administration, left to work on McCain's campaign in 2008.
The two reminisced about their memories of him and that he was a Republican from a different time. The two shook hands to signal the end of the interview, but it prompted Biden to start talking about the new world of the GOP, which Wallace left several years ago.
"This ain't your father's Republican Party," Biden said.
"It is not. I can attest to that. If you ever need a witness, I can attest to that," Wallace agreed.
"There's still a really lot of good Republicans," Biden said.
"Out in the country," Wallace suggested.
"In the Senate," said Biden.
"Who?" Wallace asked, a little shocked.
"I think Mitt Romney's the first," Biden began. "Not Mitt, but others have come to me since I've been elected. Now it's about six Republican senators, two came at one time, and the other four alone to tell me, Joe, I agree with you, but if I'm seen doing it, I'll lose the primary. It's not a profile in courage, but you know me, I'm an eternal optimist, I still think there's going be a moment when they're going to be able to break. Remember when I said we could still do bipartisan things, they said we couldn't do it. We got a lot of bipartisan things done."
"And now they're running on your bipartisan accomplishments," Wallace quipped.
Biden said he'd be happy to stand with them and congratulate them. "Remember, I said I'll be a president for every American whether they voted for me or not."
"And the ones that didn't vote on your bills but run on them," Wallace said with a smirk.
The reference is to some of the House Republicans who have taken credit, cut ribbons, and even celebrated infrastructure projects in their states and districts that they voted against. Most recently, Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) was seen celebrating a new project in the Lowcountry after calling the bill that funded it "socialism."
Biden's optimism matches recent comments from his former running mate Barack Obama, who told Hasan Manhaj that despite everything, he still believes in the "hopey changey" message that he was known for during his 2008 campaign and presidency.
See the moment in the video below or at the link.
Biden on the GOPwww.youtube.com
