CNN’s Democratic debate, night 2 – CNN

Joe Biden — who has placed his time as Barack Obama’s vice president at the center of his campaign — struggled to answer Democratic foes who criticized Obama-era deportations of undocumented immigrants.

Biden was attacked by New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro — who, like Biden, served in Obama’s administration.

De Blasio pressed Biden on whether he counseled Obama to halt the deportations.

“Did you say those deportations were a good idea or did you go to the president and say, this is a mistake, we shouldn’t do it?” de Blasio asked.

Biden said he wouldn’t talk publicly about the advice he gave Obama privately on the issue — and that’s when Booker piled on.

“You can’t have it both ways,” Booker said. “You invoke President Obama more than anyone in this campaign; you can’t do it when it’s convenient and then dodge it when it’s not.”