Biden: Media, rivals wrong that AOC represents direction of party

"You guys got it all wrong about what happened," Biden said in an interview.

• "It's just bad judgment. You all thought that what happened was the party moved extremely to the left after Hillary. AOC was a new party. She's a bright, wonderful person. But where's the party? Come on, man."

Biden disagreed strongly with rivals who think the Democratic Party is hungry for Medicare for All, a top priority for Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders:

• "The party's not there. The party's not there at all."

Be smart: Medicare for All is officially the central battlefield for go-big-or-go-home Democrats like Warren and Sanders vs. go-biggish-but-not-so-big-you-scare-moderates Democrats like Biden.

• Biden believes Warren and Sanders misread Democratic voters. 

Go deeper:

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• Biden skeptical Bloomberg will catch on
• Biden on why he thinks he has more support from black voters than Mayor Pete