Joe Biden would be tougher for Republicans to beat in a general election than Hillary Clinton, Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Preibus said Wednesday.
“He’s more likeable,” Priebus said, speaking to SiriusXM radio host David Webb at an RNC meeting. “Likability is the number one issue on the ballot.”
The vice president is said to be considering a presidential bid. Clinton is the Democratic front-runner, but has fared poorly lately in polls on issues of trust. Clinton is considered reserved while Biden is known for his affability.
Priebus said that voters historically ask, “Who do you like? Who cares about you? Who you like will almost always win.”
The only exception he could recall was Republican Richard Nixon in 1968. Nixon beat Vice President Hubert Humphrey, a Democrat, and George Wallace, running as an independent.
“It’s nothing horrible but it is something that has to be observed,” Priebus said of the Biden-Clinton contrast. “From a standpoint of a general election I think he’s more difficult.”
David Lightman: 202-383-6101, @lightmandavid
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