Biden Addresses Inappropriate Contact Allegations

Joe Biden hasn’t formally declared that he’s running for President in 2020. But already, the former Vice President is in hot water for his inappropriate displays of affection toward women. Lucy Flores, the former Democratic Lieutenant Governor of Nevada, alleged in New York magazine that Biden came up behind her at a campaign event, smelled her hair, and then kissed the back of her head.

Caitlyn Caruso, a former student at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, says Biden put his hand on her thigh at an event addressing sexual assault. Other women have come forward to accuse Biden of kissing, touching, and hugging them without permission.

But Biden isn’t letting the allegations get under his skin. In fact, he joked about it on Friday. Speaking at an International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers conference in Washington, Biden told the crowd, “Just so you know, I had permission to hug Lonnie,” after he hugged Lonnie R. Stephenson, the union’s president.

Following a wave of criticism, Biden offered an apology… sort of. “I’m sorry I didn’t understand more,” he told reporters. “I’m not sorry for any of my intentions. I’m not sorry for anything that I have ever done. I’ve never been disrespectful intentionally to a man or a woman.”

What does this mean for Biden’s expected presidential run? So far, the accusations don’t seem to be hurting him in the polls. A poll by Morning Consult, released April 2, showed Biden in first place among Democratic primary contenders, beating second-place Bernie Sanders by eight points.