Biden: 'I'm a good vice president'

Vice President Biden gave himself a pat on the back Monday, telling voters in Iowa he is a "good vice president."

Speaking at the Good Earth Restaurant while campaigning in Muscatine, Iowa, Biden noted that through two presidential campaigns he'd been to all of Iowa's 99 counties and spent a total of 120 days in the coveted primary state.

"You saw how effective I am," said Biden, speaking to a group of women at the restaurant, according to a pool report. "You know what I mean? But I'm a good vice president."

Biden ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008, dropping out after finishing fifth in the Iowa caucuses. He also mounted an unsuccessful bid for the 1988 Democratic nomination.

Biden seemed to call out Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), Mitt Romney's running mate, on Monday. The vice president, eating Wisconsin cheese soup, said he wanted Ryan to know about his meal.

"I tell you what," Biden said. "I’d like you to know that you could let the congressman [know] I’m eating Wisconsin cheese soup."

Biden has occasionally stirred controversy during the 2012 campaign. In August, he drew fire from Republicans for telling a mixed-race audience that the GOP would "put y'all back in chains" by rolling back President Obama's Wall Street reforms if Democrats lose in November.  

At the time, Obama sought to quell rumors that Biden could be replaced on the Democratic presidential ticket by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Obama called Biden an "outstanding" vice president. 

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