CAMPAIGN 2012

Biden: Romney 'Probably Taken Out of Context'

January 10, 2012 | 10:38 p.m.

Vice President Joe Biden surprisingly defended Mitt Romney on Tuesday, telling a group of New Hampshire Democrats that he doubted the likely Republican nominee meant he likes to fire people.

Biden said Romney’s comment was "probably taken out of context," according to the pool report. The vice president was referring to the candidate’s remark on Monday that "I like being able to fire people." Romney was talking about firing service providers who offer things like health insurance, but his remarks immediately drew a firestorm of criticism from his Republican presidential rivals and Democrats.

Biden’s defense appears to undercut that line of attack. But he did go on to criticize Romney.

"He thinks it's more important for the stockholders and the shareholders and the investors and the venture-capital guys to do well for those employees to be part of the bargain," Biden said, speaking to supporters via teleconference.

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