Whoopi Goldberg defends Joe Biden amid accusations of racism: 'He sat for 8 years with a black guy'

Todd Garrin

Presidential hopeful Joe Biden is under fire after comments he made at a recent event were seen by some as racially insensitive.

Biden compared today’s political climate in the senate to that of his early career, citing today’s lack of “civility.” He went on to single out his ability to work with two colleagues, Herman Talmadge and James O. Eastland, who were vocal supporters of segregation.

"We got things done. We didn't agree on much of anything. We got things done,” said Biden. He also went on to say of Eastland, “I was in a caucus with James O. Eastland. He never called me ‘boy,’ he always called me ‘son.’” “Son” is historically a derogatory term used to disparage African-American men.

Senator Cory Booker has called for Biden to apologize for the comments, but Biden refused, saying it’s Booker who should apologize. “Apologize for what? Cory should apologize. He knows better. There’s not a racist bone in my body,” said Biden.

Booker responded on Twitter:

The panelists of The View spoke out in defense of Biden. “Don’t try to make him out to be a racist,” said co-host Whoopi Goldberg. “You don’t like some of the stuff he’s done, say that, but you can’t call the dude a racist. He sat for 8 years with a black guy,” she added.

Guest co-host Ana Navarro said she thinks Booker is using Biden’s comments to get attention. “I think Cory Booker is taking advantage of the situation to try to get some attention,” she said. “Joe Biden is not a racist. It’s why he’s got good, very strong support from the African-American community,” continued Navarro.

But not everyone agreed with the duo. Some on Twitter felt Biden’s comments were racist and that the panel shouldn’t be supporting him:

Others felt that Biden isn’t racist and spoke up in support of the former vice president:

Joy Behar says Harvard was right to rescind Parkland shooting survivor's admission:

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