Story highlights Joe Biden met with black clergy in South Carolina on Tuesday

Biden to ministers: "This is not your father's Republican Party"

South Carolina is an early presidential primary state

Washington (CNN) Vice President Joe Biden, in a closed-door meeting with black clergy in South Carolina on Tuesday, referred to himself as "the only white boy on the east side of Wilmington" as he recalled his days as a Delaware public defender and pressed faith leaders to elect Democrats this year.

He offered a candid critique of Republicans, calling the tea party "crazy," according to a detailed readout of Biden's remarks provided to CNN by a person in the room.

"This is not your father's Republican Party," he said, according to the source. "This is a different breed of cat, man. I am not making a moral judgment, but I will tell you that they have no judgment."

Biden was in South Carolina for the day to support local Democrats in competitive races. But South Carolina's role as an early presidential primary state added another layer of political intrigue to his trip, one of several to the state this year.

His office declined to comment on his remarks at the private meeting.

Read More