AP Photo/Susan Walsh By Paul Waldman Paul Waldman Opinion writer covering politics Email Bio Follow Opinion writer April 1 at 3:50 PM C’mon, Joe. You’re so close to getting this right — you just need to take another step or two. In some of the photos, Joe Biden is behind the women, his hands on their shoulders, as he whispers in their ears. He embraces Hillary Clinton, his hands around her torso. He kisses a young girl’s head, his fingers framing her face, as she looks blankly toward the camera.
The politician calling Biden out is Lucy Flores, who describes what happened backstage at an event he was doing for her when she was the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor of Nevada. As she was waiting to go on, she says, Biden came up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders. “I felt him get closer to me from behind. He leaned further in and inhaled my hair. I was mortified. . . . He proceeded to plant a big slow kiss on the back of my head.
Biden is circling around the right response here, but he can’t quite make it all the way. First, he wants to assure us that he’s not some kind of serial abuser like the late senator Strom Thurmond . Every woman in Washington knew that if you found yourself in an elevator or hallway with Thurmond, his hands would inevitably find their way to your butt or your breasts; I personally know half a dozen women who were groped by him. Biden is indeed nothing like that.
DemExittt Esp. in Asian culture. No touching, esp. the head in Buddhist cultures.
And unfollow
WAPO doesn't get it. The PRESIDENT paid off porn stars and is ON TAPE advocating grabbing private parts. Keep your eye on the prize. Jesus.
No, the far left doesn’t get it. All things are not equal. Stop eating your own.
Seriously, WaPo. This is where you choose to invest ink? This story has no legs and was old news yesterday. Stop! Get your priorities straight.
not condone..but two things.. 1. Trump..till you go off and do somthing Stfu...2. generational..and space issues.. are not the same as sexual assault... lot shit needs to get sorted... no excuse..just reality.
OK we get it you don’t want Biden now shut up
Stop it. Wapo was my last Hope at decent news reporting. Please
WHY don't you keep your opinion based on IMPORTANT things? This is yet another example of how political hit jobs are the norm. Pathetic.
Or, do these women not “get it”? Every awkward moment between a man and a woman is not sexual assault. These women are doing a dis service to those who have truly been victimized. Remember the boy who cried wolf? Learn it.
There's an obvious bias showing with the WP Opinion on this subject. Perhaps, you need the legal definition of sexual assault & harassment? ACTS OF SYMPATHY, COMPASSION, GRATITUDE ARE NOT INAPPROPRIATE! Please, DON'T spin them as such. It degrades what real victims have suffered!
Of course he does. He's spinning it & getting a lot of help from women who purport to support metoo making a mockery of the very movement they used against Kavanaugh.
The rate of divorces is the US is 60% siting the first 5 years of marriage. He’s still married.
He’s just a. Affectionate person. He grew up in a loving family. Something the world needs. That’s how people are in Latin America and Europe. Travel people! Travel.
You WP don’t get it! Stop with the hit pieces against VP Joe Biden!
Americans would be screaming 'assault' every day if they ever went to Europe to live.
but trump does … the president has committed rape of a minor and at least 20 sexual assaults …
Jc look at that photo and tell me that behavior is ok. 🤦🏻♀️
He still feeling and sniffing for it!!
You cover for donny. You dont get it.
He looks more like a father figure than anything untoward. if you have a problem with this picture of Biden with some kids . . . you ain't right,
If Bernie thinks this is helpful to him he is so very wrong. It didn't help Senator Gillibrand with Al Franken, in fact I can't even listen to anything she has to say.
No you don’t 🧐STOP pushing this nonsense!
The only thing what we need to understand the same kind of people whom calling this immoral, hysterically running around naked and calling it protest. The same kind of people whom avocating peace trying to intimidate us if we don't agree with them.
Joe Biden makes Trump look like a normal guy.
He is a darn good man and I would vote for him in a minute!!!!
The man is saying he's willing to sit and hear what anyone with a complaint about him has to say so he can learn what they believe was inappropriate. Not sure how much more empathy he's supposed to show.
Joe doesn’t get it, that is why he is looking elsewhere for it
What's wrong with u guys?🙄
OMG just stop it!! He is a gentle soul!!
It's so innocent and all the fuss about it is ridiculous !!!!!
Politics is a dirty game. 🚨
The new Hillary’s emails that the news will obsess over. trumps gotta be thinking how easy it was to be re-elected.
This is BS!
And he shouldn’t have too. TEAMBIDEN
Opinion JeffBezos have a Huge Hardon for JoeBiden Why? Not a cheater like JeffBezos ? Over here in NYC we hug & airkiss our clients. We r Human not bots /// has become a hitpiece. OMG r u proving Trump right?
Maybe, that is why the Pope is no longer allowing people to kiss of his rig again to avoid allegation of him forcing his papal ring onto someone's mouth. Everyone must be careful because someone smiling with a hug today, may not smile about it tomorrow. Avoid, avoid, avoid.
Opinion: MSNBC, CNN and the Post have been instructed by the DNC to make sure that Biden is out as soon as possible. Expect stuff like this to happen to other candidates as well. Kamala Harris is the chosen one and the Dems won’t let anything get in her way.
Never mind. He’s too old.
You Can Say That Again🤷 By The Way🤔Where Are The ME 2's? Along With Gloria🤷How Selective Are THEY🙈🙉🙊
It’s you and few others who don’t get, either from bias or deliberate ignorance.
DO NOT ATTACK JOE BIDEN I HAVE KNOWN HIM ALL MY LIFE A LOVING KIND MAN WITH A BIG HEART A RARE GOOD MAN ;;;;;;;;;;;BERRYS NAME ;;;;;;;;65 YEAR OLD GRANDMOTHER
Does he EVER express this affection to men & boys. It seems like he would, if it's just supportive affection.
Should we refrain from hugging our niece?
Leave him alone. These are all obama doing, he wants to destroy biden so he diesnt run, like he didnt let him run in 2016
Can a former president be vice president?
Joe is affectionate and warm with everyone.
I sincerely believe JB is showing off more than harassing!! He’s reaching to get the “Angel” 😇 act right, should have practiced more, that what I would do to beat a naturally gifted 👿 Trump!!
Have some respect 4 1 of our best former VP in modern history & ur opinion should be kept to urself — only.
Ambassador Haley (R) : Trump's accusers deserve to be heard. Not 1, not 2, not 3, not 4, not 5, not 6, not 7, not 8, not 9, not 10, not 11, not 12, not 13, not 14, not 15, BUT 16 Women confirm Trump is a sexual predator. Trump is a demented individual.
As someone who is neither w Biden nor Bernie: It is not OK that Biden behaves like that. I too am tactile and after metoo am more respectful of personal space. If in doubt, ask. Not a major thing. Apologize, learn, move on. Also seems like another Bernie activist hit job.
He’s so creepy
Sick old man. CreepyJoeBiden
Joe Biden knows exactly whst he's doing! He's gotten away with it for so long!
Give it a rest! Someone paid Lucy Flores to say all that nonsense.
Happy for a hug from Joe Biden any day.
KChitrakavi Please do some real reporting😞😞
I'm betting he gets it two, three times per week.
No, but he can sniff it.
So prefer the 'grab'em by the pvssy' type? married 3 times and cheated on them all type? stroll thru teen dressing areas type? accused of sexual assault by over 20 women type? hook up with porn stars while your wife tends to a newborn type? Well, to each their own.
Joe Biden. America's Vladimir Putin.
No you don't get it. One would think you learned a lesson from the email BS. Hearing rumblings about senatemajldr and his discharge from the military. Try Journalism. Stop promoting this bullshit.
Neither do you
Advice is fair but sadly the reality is he is being dumped into the “Jerks and perv” pile by the GOP and their fans and spokespeople at FOX etc.
I know. Compassion, Warmth and Hugs have no place in today’s society.
Neither do the Marxist posing as democrats, everyone knows you’re the party of hate, Infanticide & anti USA!
Weird to have an opinion on this as oppose to a fact.
Love how this was posted late morning ST PETERSBURG TIME. Eat a dick, opinion staff and amplifying bot algos
Excuse me, is anyone aghast at what he's doing in this photo? Parents, bystanders?
If its truly from the heart, this touchy feely love, then do us non-touchy feely people a favor and ask if you can touch first. Because I personally do not feel loved with this behavior, I feel disrespected. Yelling, 'don't touch me me!' makes me look like an ass; not okay.
No ppl who push this narrative are only causing more anger toward bernie
Full stop. Don't you dare repeat your BS 2016 coverage. Don't you have any news to report? How about the taxes presidential candidate BernieSanders promised to release? Hugs bad. Lies good. Do better.
No, people like you at the WP don't get it. Many of us aren't buying any of the 'creepy uncle Joe' nonsense. What's happening to Biden is a political hit-job & these women are sent by rivals to bring him down. But here's the thing, all of you have underestimated our BS detectors.
Counter Point: He does
Sounds like he needn't bother running
No. The POST doesn’t get it. If it bothered her - and if it was true - she would’ve reported it when it happened. It only comes up when the accuser thinks she can make a name for herself.
And let’s just forget about his decades of service for women, children, animals, and the nation itself.
I say Trump. You lose.
The 'Kissing Bandit?'
I don’t get it either! If someone doesn’t have the capacity to differentiate genuine displays of affection and kindness from sexual harassment than they need to find their voice! I’m a touchy feely hugger and a kisser, I’m the female version of Joe Biden. It’s truly from the ❤️
Cognitive Dissonant Predatory Pedophile!🤬
I just saw Biden’s first campaign ad...
He runs, he GETS the presidency.
When are you EVER going to talk about the over 20 allegations of sexual misconduct by Donald Trump or are you all waiting for these two to get married so you can get the interviews.
Just my opinion if someone really have bad intentions do you think he will be doing it in the front of all cameras? 🤔
Stop it. This is ridiculous and tacky. Joe Biden is one of the most honorable men in politics. Where were you when DJT was spewing hate and bragging about grabbing women’s pussys. Did you print it boldly on the front page?
Trump loving Bernie bros out in force. They're desperate because Saint Bernie's running out of time. Where are Bernie's taxes by the way?
Dems don't get that they eat their own.
Oh stop it!
....we NEVER liked it. CreepyJoeBiden
Give it a rest.
The man apologized he didn't pay off tricks and lovers. Focus.
It's more than a meme, it's repulsive
This will b over long before anyone sees Biden in debate w/ Trump. If by then anyone still has lingering concerns, the mere appearance of them side by side will extinguish this peripheral conversation for what it is: Joe didn’t get the memo on personal space - now he has...Next
He’s a touchy feely person but he hasn’t been accused of rape or pedophilia. Y r u spinning it like he is some demon? Trump is going to win in 2020 as the Dems kill each other to find the purest candidate and the whole world will be fucked.
Do you get it? Are you looking for 4 more years of Trump?
Biden is old school. In the day, affection was a good thing. Back in the day, affection wasn’t dirty. Biden has been targeted by Bernie Sanders and David Sirota. Bernie Sanders is human garbage. . SenSanders
STOP. FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY JUST FRIGIN STOP!
What's wrong with a fatherly or elderly kiss on the head of people whom Biden cares for? Over-reacting to such gesture and making it viral is obscene and irresponsible. Totally unwarramted and insane.
I have my suspicions about Flores’ story, and look what I found: someone that appears to know Flores, also accusing JoeBiden of being inappropriately physical. As you can see in my pics, this person accused Biden today, but defended Flores in 2016. Highly suspicious.
Amazing how many liberals are suddenly backtracking on metoo and believewomen now that it's Joe Biden on the line.
What
“It’s just who he is” LOL no grown man should be using his power of authority to control girls, even for one second, in the way he does. Look how terrified they look.
Media doing it again
The main people pushing this are Berners. Until Bernie releases 10 years of tax returns, he deserves ZERO press. Come talk to me when that day comes ...
Lmao
oh, da horra, da horra
I'm sorry but the way JoeBiden acts around female children is a giant red flag. The celebrities and politicians defending him should be ashamed. MeToo
Oh he gets it alright
No, you don’t get it. There is a big difference between the ACCESS HOLLYWOOD tape and these allegations.
Hey WaPo:
The left reaction on social media rushing to defend Joe is completely idiotic. The smart move would just let the 24 hour news cycle do it’s job and let this blow over. Instead, like idiots, those rushing to defend Joe is just giving the right fuel to call the left hypocrites.
This guy is complete perv
Trump grabs women by the p*ssy. Let that sink in.
Parents look very happy!
No, you don’t get it, he CARES.
ElectWomen
Knock it off. Joe is great.
People are totally alienated from human touch. It’s quite sad.
Looks more like you dont get it.
BidenBros don't seem to either.
It’s just who he is. Stop this.
People defending him are even worse
No, you don’t.