Former Vice President Joe Biden released a video on Twitter Wednesday where he pledges he will be “more mindful about respecting personal space in the future.”
The video comes in the wake of allegations that Biden made women feel uncomfortable because of his close physical contact in their encounters.
“Social norms are changing. I understand that, and I’ve heard what these women are saying,” Biden wrote on Twitter. “Politics to me has always been about making connections, but I will be more mindful about respecting personal space in the future. That’s my responsibility and I will meet it.”
Social norms are changing. I understand that, and I’ve heard what these women are saying. Politics to me has always been about making connections, but I will be more mindful about respecting personal space in the future. That’s my responsibility and I will meet it. pic.twitter.com/Ya2mf5ODts
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) April 3, 2019
His camp started the damage control on Friday after Lucy Flores, a former Nevada assemblywoman, wrote an essay detailing a 2014 encounter during which Biden made her feel “uneasy, gross and confused” when he came up from behind her and kissed the back of her head.
After a series of carefully-worded statements attributed to his spokesman, Biden on Sunday released a statement of his own addressing the allegation.
“In my many years on the campaign trail and in public life, I have offered countless handshakes, hugs, expressions of affection, support and comfort,” Biden said in a statement that was released shortly before Flores appeared in her first television interview. “And not once — never — did I believe I acted inappropriately. If it is suggested I did so, I will listen respectfully. But it was never my intention.”
Biden, who will turn 77 in November, also said he was surprised his actions were considered apart from social norms, but vows to do better in the future.
“I may not recall these moments the same way, and I may be surprised at what I hear,” he said. “But we have arrived at an important time when women feel they can and should relate their experiences, and men should pay attention. And I will.”
When a second woman came forward claiming Biden made her feel uncomfortable at a 2009 Connecticut fundraiser, his staffers referred to his response from Sunday.
Biden’s team again pointed to that statement when two more women told the New York Times that Biden made them feel uncomfortable by the way he touched them.
Does this response settle any questions you might have about Biden and his allegations?
Or do you need more moral fiber from a politician in order to elect him to the nation’s highest political office?
