Joe Biden told a group of high-dollar donors George W. Bush is a “decent guy,” adding the former president to the list of Republicans whom he has praised.
“Those of you who do know me know you’ve never, ever, heard me talk about a president the way I am talking today,” Biden, 76, told a group of around 80 high-dollar donors in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, on Monday, referencing his critical comments about President Trump. “I had significant disagreements with W; he’s a decent guy, I just had real disagreements with him. I had disagreements with President Reagan, who I knew well. But I never quite thought we’d be where we are.”
Biden was elected to the Senate in 1972 and has faced attacks from California Sen. Kamala Harris during the June presidential primary debate for touting his relationships with segregationist senators.
The former vice president has also praised other Republicans.
“You were a hell of a governor,” Biden told George W. Bush’s brother, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, in April. The same month, Biden called Vice President Mike Pence, “A guy who’s a decent guy.”
Biden has the recognized that praising Republicans poses a threat to his 2020 presidential bid.
“One of my problems, if I ever run for president, is that I like Republicans,” Biden said in January at the U.S. Conference of Mayors winter meeting.
