Biden heard on hot mic joking with Sanders about his arm gestures at debate

Former Vice President Joe Biden was heard on a hot mic briefly joking with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) about his arm gestures at the Democratic presidential debate on Tuesday night.

Biden leaned in and whispered to Sanders when the two shook hands at the start of the debate in Des Moines, moments after the Vermont senator joined the former vice president onstage.

“We’re close,” Biden was heard telling Sanders, apparently referring to the lecterns behind them. “Be careful with your arms.”

Sanders responded by laughing and patting Biden on the arm.

HOT MIC: Biden To Bernie: We’re close — be careful of your arms”

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The Vermont senator is known for his enthusiastic arm gestures at debates. He joined Biden at center stage for the CNN-Des Moines Register debate Tuesday night, the last debate before the Iowa caucuses early next month.

The two are considered front-runners in Iowa, along with Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg.