Republicans got a compliment from an unlikely political rival when Democratic presidential candidate frontrunner Joe Biden said "there’s an awful lot of really good Republicans" at fundraiser in Massachusetts.

Biden reaffirmed his ability to work with the Republicans, saying Saturday they were "decent people", The Hill reported. He added that he could get into trouble with the Democrats for saying so.

“There’s an awful lot of really good Republicans out there. I get in trouble for saying that with Democrats, but the truth of the matter is, every time we ever got in trouble with our administration, remember who got sent up to Capitol Hill to fix it? Me. Because they know I respect the other team," Biden told the audience at the fundraiser, The Hill reported.

Biden, who currently sits atop the polls among the Democratic presidential hopefuls, said the Republicans did care about things, but ran because they were intimidated by President Trump.

Biden had earlier faced heat for his comments about Republicans when the New York Times published a story about Biden praising Republican candidate Fred Upton (R-Mitch.) before the midterms.

He had also came under fire for calling Vice President Mike Pence a decent guy and for praising former Vice President Dick Cheney.

Biden had maintained that working with the Republicans is the only way to implement long lasting change. He has also called for more moderate policies in a bid to appeal to GOP voters.

“You have to go out and beat these folks if they don't agree with you, by making your case - and that's what presidents are supposed to do: Persuade the public. Move people as to what's going on," The Hill quoted him as saying.

Biden had also been in the spotlight for his recent string of gaffes, which many believe could ultimately impact his position as the top Democratic candidate in the presidential primaries.