Biden during Democratic debate: 'I stand with Barack Obama all 8 years'

HOUSTON -- Former Vice President Joe Biden dismissed questions about the Obama administration's record of deportations by touting the former Democratic president's effort to open doors to immigrants during Thursday night's Democratic debate.

Instead of answering whether the deportations were a mistake, Biden noted Thursday during the Democratic presidential debate Obama's support of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and a path to citizenship for people in the country illegally.

Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro pounced on Biden, accusing him of standing by Obama when it suits him but sidestepping the administration's blemishes.

"My problem with Vice President Biden...is every time something good about Barack Obama comes up, he says, 'Oh, I was there, I was there, I was there, that's me too,'" Castro began. "Then every time somebody questions part of the administration that we were both part of, he says, 'Well, that was the president.'"

Castro added: "He wants to take credit for Obama's work but not have to answer to any questions."

Biden shot back angrily: "I stand with Barack Obama all eight years, good, bad, indifferent."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.