Rep. Tim Ryan Timothy (Tim) RyanNow's the time to make 'Social Emotional Learning' a national priority Mourners gather outside Supreme Court after passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg Lincoln Project hits Trump for criticizing Goodyear, 'an American company' MORE (D-Ohio) told reporters he doesn't believe the "declining" could to defeat President Trump Donald John TrumpFederal prosecutor speaks out, says Barr 'has brought shame' on Justice Dept. Former Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick MORE in a general election.

The Ohio Democrat and 2020 candidate for president referenced Biden's string of recent gaffes on the campaign trail, calling it evidence that Biden didn't have the "energy" for a general election fight, Bloomberg News reported.

ADVERTISEMENT

“I just think Biden is declining,” Ryan told Bloomberg. “I don’t think he has the energy. You see it almost daily. And I love the guy.”

Biden's campaign did not immediately return requests for comments on the remarks from The Hill on Saturday. A family friend of Ryan's characterized the remarks to The Hill as Ryan "clearly projecting in the moment" and said that Ryan was committed to seeing a Democrat win the White House in 2020.

“Tim, who was clearly projecting in the moment (given how grey his hair has become), has nothing but love and admiration for the Vice President and his public service to our country. We all make gaffes, but what the American people truly care about in this race is lifting up our country for hardworking families and protection from our biggest threats, both domestic and international. No matter who our candidate is, we gotta undo all the damage this incompetent President has done since taking office," said Erick Sanchez.

Ryan reportedly told Bloomberg following the interview that he did not initially understand that he was talking to a reporter when making the remarks.

Ryan, who is polling in low single-digits among the crowded Democratic primary field, also told Bloomberg in the interview that "a lot of people" were upset with the higher entry requirements for next week's debate in Texas, for which Ryan failed to qualify.

“A lot of people think it’s bulls**t that they’re limiting,” the Ohio congressman said. “You have to have some level of criteria but it’s September and they’re winnowing the field.”

Biden has faced criticism in the news media in recent days for apparent verbal slip-ups on the campaign trail, including mixing up New Hampshire and Vermont during a campaign stop in the former state and misstating his record of support for the Iraq War.

Former Obama campaign adviser David Axelrod David AxelrodThe Memo: Warning signs flash for Trump on debates GOP hunts for leverage in revived COVID-19 talks Pelosi says there shouldn't be any debates between Biden and Trump MORE hammered Biden on Twitter Friday over the misstatements, warning that Biden risked damaging his reputation.

"It’s one thing to have a well-earned rep for goofy, harmless gaffes. It’s another if you serially distort your own record. @JoeBiden is in danger of creating a more damaging meme," Axelrod tweeted Friday.