Biden Says G.O.P. Will Try to ‘Steal’ Credit for Better Economy

PHILADELPHIA — Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. on Friday warned Democrats that if they did not speak up and take credit for the economic recovery, Republicans would try to “steal” the credit for themselves.

“This is our story,” the vice president said at an annual gathering of House Democrats.

With the economy on the mend, Mr. Biden said that Republicans were already successfully tailoring a new message about their fiscal policies. “They’re good at it,” he cautioned, mentioning Speaker John A. Boehner and the Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, by name.

Mr. Biden added, “Is there anything more farcical than Mitch and John Boehner taking credit for the economy?”

He told Democrats they were not being aggressive enough. “We’re not explaining what happened,” he said.