Vice President Biden 'Proud' of How Democratic Candidates Performed in Debate

— -- Vice President Joe Biden, still wrestling with a decision to enter the 2016 presidential race, said Wednesday he was impressed with the performances of the Democratic candidates at last night's primary debate.

"I thought they all did well," Biden said in response to questions from reporters following a White House event on infrastructure projects.

Despite growing speculation over the past weeks that Biden would participate in the first debate, he stayed in Washington as the other contenders sparred on stage in Las Vegas.

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said Wednesday that he doesn't believe Biden's decision would be determined by how candidates like former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton performed.

"I don't think that he would express surprise by the outcome of the debate," Earnest said. "I don't think he was surprised that Secretary Clinton performed well."