BALTIMORE, Md. -- Speaking at the annual House Democratic retreat, Vice President Joe Biden on Thursday expressed confidence to his fellow Democrats on their chances to not only win the Senate but also the House.
"I'm bullish on the possibilities for the House and for the Senate. We don't have to make it up," Biden said, referencing the successes of the Obama administration over the past seven years.
To a loud and supportive audience, Biden listed accomplishments Democrats should claim credit for, like saving the economy, the Iran nuclear deal and the recent record sales of automobiles.
"The best way to win is to run on what we've done and what we stand for and what more we are trying to do,” Biden said. “Then contrast that to what they are for and what they oppose."
Biden went out of his way to single out House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wisc., calling him a "lovely guy" who gave Democrats a “gift” by proposing the GOP budget that bears his name.
"You don't have to make anything up, it's what they're for!" Biden said.
To Biden, Democrats simply need to make the case that Republicans do not run on their record because it's nationally unpopular. If they did that well, they could reverse the historic Congressional losses they have faced over the last two mid-term elections.
While reporters were in the room, Biden avoided any discussion of the presidential race on the Democratic side, however, he said he believed the divisive Republican primary provided Democrats a real opportunity for electoral success.
"And by the way we may be given a gift from the Lord in the presidential race here,” Biden said to laughter.
"I don't know who to root for more -- Cruz or Bush-- or what's that guy's name? He's having a fundraiser for veterans tonight, I'm told," he added, an obvious dig at GOP frontrunner Donald Trump.
"I didn't know he was a fan," Cruz spokesman Rick Tyler told NBC News.