On campaign trail, Biden keeps his hands to himself

[brooklynite]

Politico

COLUMBIA, S.C. — There‘s been no hair-sniffing. No nose-to-cheek nuzzles. No intimate whispers with strangers.

In his first full week on the road for his 2020 candidacy, Joe Biden is keeping his hands to himself.

Biden joined the race on the heels of a rough period in which six women publicly complained that Biden’s past touching made them uncomfortable. From his slow response to the controversy and the lack of apology, it wasn’t quite clear if the 76-year-old former vice president could adjust to the realities of campaigning in the #MeToo era — or if the criticism of the overly familiar physical contact even registered.

But after nearly a week on the campaign trail, including nearly a half-dozen events in Pittsburgh, Iowa and South Carolina, it appears Biden got the message. Gone are the episodes of canoodling with voters, replaced by a less tactile brand of retail politicking marked by selfies and more physical reserve than Biden is accustomed to.

[DownriverDem]

1. He never meant any harm

It's good though in this climate, to not give any reason for more attacks.

[NYMinute]

2. Politico is bringing the touchy-feely non-story

in the forefront again …. via the back door this time.

[Skya Rhen]

4. I couldn't have said that better myself!

[NurseJackie]

5. They're not the ONLY one...

... and I'll just leave it at that.

[Skya Rhen]

6. I'm with ya...

[Hortensis]

3. Don't doubt it, poor guy. Nancy Pelosi's "we both have the flu"

arms-length distance makes good sense, but no doubt it really doesn't feel either good or even right to him, or to a lot of others. But oh, well. Not one of the bigger issues he's focused on by a mile's length.