Left-wing pundits and the other candidates predictably went nuts went it became known that Biden had touted his ability to cooperate with members of the hard right–even segregationists. He’s soft on bigots! Maybe he’s even one himself! He needs to apologize!
All of which is ridiculous. Whether you agree with it or not, the basis of Biden’s candidacy, other than his unique level of experience, is his willingness to work with anyone to improve the condition of the country and get rid of Trump, and his refusal to act like Trump and demonize everyone who disagrees with him. What is he then supposed to say? That the Republican Party as a whole is beyond the pale? That everyone on the right is doomed to PC damnation?
If you want a candidate who thinks that America can be somehow completely transformed if the Democrats get 51 percent of the vote in 2020, vote for someone else. Biden is not your man. Just make sure to ask hard questions about how the transformation is going to survive Republican intransigence, the survival instincts of moderate Democrats, the filibuster, and the Roberts Court before you make that decision.