Former Vice President Joe Biden asked Sen. Kamala Harris to do him a favor as the Democratic debates got underway on Wednesday night.
“Go easy on me, kid,” he could be heard telling the California lawmaker while greeting her on stage.
The two of them took several shots at each other during the first debate, and were expected to do the same on Wednesday night.
Biden’s advisers have reportedly suggested that he be “more aggressive” for the second event and fight back more. Many experts and pundits feel Harris got the better of him at the last debate.
Biden’s comment on Wednesday night didn’t appear to sit well with Harris’ camp.
“Kid?” tweeted campaign spokesperson Ian Sims. He retweeted another post, which said: “Did I just hear biden call kamala ‘kid?'”
Social media users were quick to point out how Biden, 76, is more than 20 years older than Harris — but many weren’t having it.
“I’m so tired of Biden consistently talking down to women,” wrote one Twitter user.
“So condescending,” another said.
“What’s the problem,” a user replied. “When you’re old everyone’s a kid.”
Another person said, “It was very cute, you really don’t want to turn this into a thing. Don’t overreach, seriously.”
A female user — who describes themselves as “a mom raising lots of sons” — replied: “It’s an important thing if you’re a woman.”