On Monday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters that the accusations of inappropriate behavior against former Vice President Joe Biden do “not at all” disqualify him from running in the 2020 presidential election. When she was asked about the allegations, Pelosi said: “I don’t think that this disqualifies him from being president. Not at all.” She wouldn’t comment on whether or not the #MeToo claims would convince Biden not to run.
The remarks from Pelosi came after reports from a former congressional aide to Rep. Jim Himes accused Joe Biden of rubbing his nose against her while attending a fundraiser in Connecticut ten years ago. When the woman, 43-year-old Amy Lappos, spoke to The Courant on Monday she said: “It wasn’t sexual, but he did grab me by the head. He put his hand around my neck and pulled me in to rub noses with me. When he was pulling me in, I thought he was going to kiss me on the mouth.”
On Sunday, Biden defended himself, saying that he has no recollection of ever acting inappropriately. Despite what Biden had to say, a politician from Nevada has claimed that Biden kissed her on the back of her head, making her feel uncomfortable. Her accusations have made Democrats question whether or not Biden is too far gone from the party to be successful in the 2020 election.
Democrat Lucy Flores has brought to light the truth about who Biden really is. Being the first person to publicly accuse him of being inappropriate, people have finally realized that he is rather awkward with his hugs, shoulder squeezes and affectionate whispers he passes around to unsuspecting women. Many Democrats have claimed that Biden’s actions have shed new light on the #MeToo movement.
While in an interview with Jake Tapper from CNN’s The Lead, Flores confirmed that the way Biden treated women disqualified him from being president. “For me this isn’t the only problematic thing, I think his response in the way in which he handled the Anita Hill hearing was completely inappropriate and lacked empathy and frankly lacked accountability, saying he wishes there was something more he could have done. I think it’s again, a complete lack of accountability. You were the chair, you were the chair of that hearing, and you could have done anything you wanted. In addition to previous anti-abortion positions that he’s taken, et cetera, I find a lot of his background problematic,” said Flores.
In response to Flores’ comments, Biden explained that he didn’t mean to make women feel uncomfortable, saying “I will listen respectfully.” He continued by saying: “I will also remain the strongest advocate I can be for the rights of women. I will fight to build on the work I’ve done in my career to end violence against women and ensure women are treated with the equality they deserve. I will continue to surround myself with trusted women advisers who challenge me to see different perspectives than my own. And I will continue to speak out on these vitally-important issues where there is much more progress to be made and crucial fights that must be waged and won.”
Flores’ accusations come at a horrible time for the former vice president. Considering that he’s been thinking about running for president for months, people are wondering if he’s going to announce his candidacy. Advisers are predicting that he will make the announcement at the end of April.
Bill Russo, a spokesman for Biden, issued a public statement in regards to the controversy surrounding photos that have resurfaced showing Biden behaving inappropriately towards women, calling some of the pictures “smears and forgeries.”
Russo said: “The Vice President has issued a statement affirming that in all the many years in public life that he has shaken a hand, given or received a hug, or laid his hand on a shoulder to express concern, support; or reassurance, he never intended to cause discomfort. He has said that he believes that women who have experienced any such discomfort, regardless of intention, should speak and be heard, and that he will be among those who listen.” He continued by saying: “But the important conversation about these issues are not advanced, nor are any criticisms of Vice President Biden validated, by the continued misrepresentation of the Carter and Coons moments, or a failure to be vigilant about a cottage industry of lies.”
Biden seems to be holding the lead in early polls, thanks to his popularity and good deeds he performed while he was in the White House with former President Barack Obama. Democrats believe that he’s the best person to go up against Trump, especially when you consider his experience with the working class.
