In another excerpt, he noted, "And then — and then the next thing I have here is — this is classified."
Biden Discussed Policy Disputes with Obama
The audio also captures Biden detailing internal administration disputes with former President Barack Obama following the 2008 financial crisis.
Biden said, "I was a really lonely voice on housing, I was a lonely voice on the middle class.
>>> Pirates Rally Past Diamondbacks 3-2 on Lowe's 10th-Inning Single
I mean, I thought we should be much more aggressive than putting these guys in jail and the bankers."
He noted that economic discussions frequently caused friction, saying, "I mean, he used to really get pissed at me."
Biden attributed some policy decisions to connections within the technology sector, stating, "I think subconsciously, at least, Barack and his guys were beholden to Silicon Valley."
He added, "And the valley guys didn't want the shit that I — you know, I wanted."
Biden also discussed Obama's consideration of Larry Summers for Federal Reserve leadership, saying, "He was, you know, Harvard and women."
Reflecting on economic shifts, Biden said, "I wasn't focused on robots and artificial intelligence … it was all about … bringing back the manufacturing in America."
Regarding the 2016 election, Biden recalled Obama telling him, "It's my decision to run or not. It doesn't have to do with the field."
Biden said Obama doubted a primary victory over Hillary Clinton was doable at that time.
A spokesperson for Biden criticized the release, saying the conversations were private and provided to the DOJ on condition they remain confidential.
"Reversing course and making them public is just the latest example of this Administration weaponizing the DOJ for political retribution," spokesperson TJ Ducklo said.
Ducklo added that while Biden disagrees with the decision, he respects the courts.
The Oversight Project welcomed the release, stating, "These tapes we are releasing today should have come out a long time ago."
>>> Mavericks Rebuild Around Flagg as Kevin Durant Trade Proposal Emerges
Jeff Clark, Vice President for Litigation at the Oversight Project, said the tapes should show Biden's mental decline as far back as 2016/2017.
