The Tea Party as a whole is not racist but racism has been expressed at Tea Party events, according to Vice President Joe Biden.
ABC's Jake Tapper asked Biden Sunday if he believed there were racist elements in the Tea Party.
"The truth is," Biden began. "Elements involved with some of the Tea Party folks expressed racist views. We saw it on television."
"I wouldn't characterize the Tea Party as racist," said Biden.
"Members, people on the periphery of their things have expressed unfortunate comments. It was all over TV, your network. Black congressman walking up the stairs of the capitol," Biden continued.
"I don't believe, the president doesn't believe that the Tea Party is a racist organization. We don't believe that. Very conservative. Very different views on government and a whole lot of things. But it is not a racist organization," he said.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell declined Sunday to comment on the matter. When asked about racism in the Tea Party by CNN's Candy Crowley, McConnell responded, "Oh my goodness -- in the whole country is there racism?"
"I'm not interested in getting into that debate," he said. "There are all kinds of things in America that make me uncomfortable, both on the right and the left."
