Former Vice President Joe Biden
Joe BidenBiden looks to shore up lead in S.C. Hillicon Valley: Dems cancel surveillance vote after pushback to amendments | Facebook to ban certain coronavirus ads | Lawmakers grill online ticketing execs | Hacker accessed facial recognition company's database Vulnerable Democrats brace for Sanders atop ticket MORE said on Sunday that Democratic candidates would face a "bigger uphill climb" if Sen. Bernie Sanders
Bernie SandersDNC warns campaigns about cybersecurity after attempted scam Overnight Health Care — Presented by American Health Care Association — Trump taps Pence to lead coronavirus response | Trump accuses Pelosi of trying to create panic | CDC confirms case of 'unknown' origin | Schumer wants .5 billion in emergency funds Biden looks to shore up lead in S.C. MORE (I-Vt.) wins the party's presidential nomination this year.
Biden, a Democratic candidate for president who has focused on making a case for his own electability, said Sanders labeling himself a Democratic Socialist could turn off voters in key swing states.
"Look, I'm not putting that label on Bernie. He calls himself a Democratic Socialist. Now you've been around George, as much as anybody, you're going to win with that label?" Biden said to George Stephanopoulos on ABC's "This Week."
"You're going to help somebody in Florida with the label Democratic Socialist? It's going to go all the way down the line. That's what's going to happen. You're going to win in North Carolina? You're going to win in Pennsylvania? You're going to win in those states in the midwest?"
.@GStephanopoulos: "So you think flat out Democrats can't defeat Trump if they have to defend socialism?"
— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) February 9, 2020
Joe Biden: "I think it's going to be incredibly more difficult." https://t.co/nPQ57Pvs7t pic.twitter.com/bZvoDVs4mJ
Stephanopoulos asked Biden, "So you think flat out Democrats can't defeat Trump if they have to defend socialism?"
"I think it's going to be incredibly more difficult," Biden responded.
"If I don't get the nomination and Bernie gets it I'm going to work like hell for him, but I tell you what, it's a bigger uphill climb, running as a senator or congressperson or governor on a ticket that calls itself a Democratic Socialist ticket."
