Thread by @mikememoli

. @JoeBiden is back on the non-campaign trail, speaking in Fort Lauderdale

@JoeBiden Biden opens with familiar story - how Mike Mansfield instructed him how you could question a man's judgment but not his motive.

"Today you notice all attacks are based on motive."

Biden: "We’re virtually not getting the nation’s business done. Not just on the wall, quote unquote. All across the board."

Notes he was close friends with many Rs. "It's difficult to get anything at all done. And we can’t function this way, folks."

How does this change, BIden is asked. He points to shutdown. "The public finally said enough his enough his enough." Republicans decided "it’s more of a threat for me not to challenge [Trump] than it is to challenge him."

Biden addresses NYT/Upton story again. "it made it sound like Biden’s out there and he’s not a good Democrat. I’ve campaigned for more Democrats than anybody in the country has. I went in to over 50 races on the ground" in 2018

But he again praises Upton for being among a small number of Rs who stood up to support big infusion of $ for cancer research. "It’s about being able to arrive at a consensus."

Biden now deep in the weeds on the work he and his foundation has done on cancer research. "There are major, major opportunities now."

Biden says advances in this research part of why Jimmy Carter is still alive. Predicts soon you will be able to inoculate against some forms of cancer. "There's a lot of hope."

Next Q to Biden is about relationship with Obama. In his career, did he ever think among his accomplishments would be "creating the standard for bromance?"

Biden recalls the family discussion when Obama asked him if he'd agree to be vetted for VP. Jill Biden told him: "It'd be better for the family if you did it."

Biden on Obama: "Whatever your politics are, he had an enormous amount of integrity." When they both were asked what most proud of, "Not one whiff of scandal."

NEW: Biden on 2020: "I’m a lot closer than I was before Christmas. We’ll make the decision soon.”

More Biden on 2020: "I’m running the traps on this. I don’t want to make this a fool’s errand."

Biden then spoke broadly about state of the country. "We're in a battle for America's soul." Condemns Trump response to Charlottesville.

"It's time for America to get up and move again."

The next question to Biden from the audience: Why did Strom Thurmond ask you to deliver his eulogy. The ex-VP says: "I watched him change, not because of me, but because of exposure."

Biden: "I really think it’s important to try to get to know the people you so vehemently disagree with, as it is those you agree with."

Biden, still answering the Thurmond question. "I come from a faith where redemption is possible. It doesn’t make any of these men what they weren’t when they were alive."

Biden talking about same-sex marriage, and refers to what he said on "Tim Russert's show." (David Gregory was hosting @MeetThePress when he made that particular bit of news)

Final Q to Biden is what's his advice about how to make a difference? He's 15 minutes into an answer centered around working class anxiety. "Will there be a middle class and what will we do about it? People are scared. They’re scared to death."

Biden: when in fact you don’t respond – the political leadership of both parties doesn’t respond or there’s no unity in responds – you become susceptible to demagoguery.

Biden, pacing the stage talking about importance of recognizing dignity in working class. "My point is we don't talk about those things because Democrats are scared to death about offending you, and Republicans don’t think it’s necessary."

Biden: "When you don't treat people with dignity they become alienated." And people who become alienated put strains on our institutions.