Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) said on Monday former vice president Joe Biden won't be able "to bring forth the energy we need to defeat Trump" as a presidential candidate.
Sanders said defeating Trump requires having a huge voter turnout and exciting young voters and that Biden's record will not accomplish either of these goals.
"Joe Biden voted for the disastrous trade agreements, like NAFTA, and permanent normal trade relations with China, which cost us millions of jobs. You think that's going to play well in Michigan or Wisconsin or Pennsylvania?" he said during an appearance on CNN's Anderson Cooper 360.
"Joe Biden has been on the floor of the Senate, talking about the need to cut Social Security or Medicare or Medicaid. Joe Biden pushed a bankruptcy bill, which has caused enormous financial problems for working families," he continued. "To get turnout, you need energy and excitement. I don't think that that kind of record is going to bring forth the energy we need to defeat Trump."
The Sanders campaign has turned its focus on Biden as polls show the Vermont senator in a three-way tie with him and former South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg for first place in Iowa. Sanders also holds a slim margin over Biden in New Hampshire.