Despite almost nine minutes of interview time, CBS This Morning co-host Norah O’Donnell on Thursday posed no tough questions to Joe Biden. Instead, she cheered the Democrat on as the “top choice” for Democrats in 2020 and praised him for “caring deeply about this country.” Pushing the former Vice President from the left, O’Donnell demanded, “If Democrats win the House, do you believe that they may move forward with articles of impeachment?”

Even by the standards of liberal softball interviews, this one was particularly easy. At one point, O’Donnell offered this query: “You've been out on the road a lot campaigning for Democrats. I know you said our democracy is under assault. What's at stake here?”

Regarding 2020, the co-host seemed to actively push the Democrat into a run:

NORAH O'DONNELL: You are the Democrats top choice to run against President Trump in 2020. JOE BIDEN: This is so early, I don't think that means anything. O'DONNELL: I know. But you think about it. You care deeply about this country. I know you do. That's why you're out campaigning.

After Biden suggested that Donald Trump has a “love affair with dictators,” co-host Bianna Golodryga couldn’t contain herself: “Wow! He really did not hold back, even suggesting this President coddles dictators.”

The interview ran 8 minutes and 57 seconds over two segments. The only question that even hinted at being tough is this one: “Is age a legitimate issue?” And O’Donnell had no follow-up when Biden talked about being “vigorous.”

She never pointed out his contradictions. For instance, at one point, the former Vice President described Trump’s philosophy as this: “I have a problem and it’s because of that immigrant or that black guy.” During the same interview, Biden touted civility, insisting, “I don't want to get down in the mosh pit with these guys. It's not a place I want to play.”

Well, which is it? Civility or calling your opponent a bigot? O'Donnell certainly didn’t mention Biden’s 2012 campaign pitch to African Americans, saying that Mitt Romney would “put y’all back in chains.”

A partial transcript is below. Click “expand” to read more: