(Photo by JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images)

(CNSNews.com) – Former Vice President Joe Biden told with ABC’s “This Week with George Stephanopolous” on Sunday that it will be “incredibly more difficult” to defeat President Donald Trump if the Democratic presidential nominee has to defend socialism, specifically with Sen. Bernie Sanders, an avowed Democratic socialist.



“You've also talked about the risks of Democrats taking on the label Democratic socialism in a national election, were you surprised last night when only Senator Klobuchar joined you in that concern?” Stephanopolous asked, referring to Friday night’s presidential debate.







“No, I wasn't surprised. But I think it's just the reality. I mean, look, I'm not putting the label on Bernie, Bernie calls himself a Democratic socialist,” Biden said. “Now, you've been around, George, as much as anybody, you're going to win with that label, you're going to help somebody in Florida win with the label Democratic socialist?



“Because 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? It's not -- I didn't put the label on Bernie, Bernie calls himself a Democratic socialist,” he added.



“So, you think flat-out Democrats can't defeat Trump if they have to defend socialism?” Stephanopolous asked.



“I think it's going to be incredibly more difficult. I'm not going to say -- look, if I don't get the nomination and Bernie gets it, I'm going to work like hell for him, but I'll tell you what, it's a bigger uphill climb running as a senator or a congressperson or as a governor on a ticket that calls itself a Democratic socialist ticket,” Biden said.





