Joe Biden's inappropriate touching is the embodiment of male privilege

[Liberalator]

Joe is known for this behavior. It has been inappropriate since he started.

Joe Biden’s inappropriate touching is the embodiment of male privilege

[link:https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/04/joe-biden-touching-male-privilege-power|]

...do we afford grown women the same privilege of being able to express unease at the way some men touch us and make us feel uncomfortable? Not really.

Unwanted touch is an expression of power. We can make it much more complicated but it comes down to who owns the public space. Who owns women’s bodies and who gets to touch those bodies when they feel like it?

Instinctively we know when our personal space is invaded, and this is not about being repressed or uptight.

[hlthe2b]

1. In my decades on earth I have had both men and women that were demonstrative--more women

in fact and they were demonstrative with both genders --as Biden is as well.

While I'd agree that it is possible to use touch to intimidate (as Trump tries to do), context is everything and intent DOES matter. No hand on the should or a comforting hug from someone that is known to be gregarious and friendly is likely to have exertion of power/intimidation as its intent.

There are those who react badly to touch--those on the autism spectrum for instance. Again, context is everything and if you think that someone that is benign in their intent would not refrain upon being reminded of that well, that is a level of cynism that I'd not want to imagine.

Power is setting your own limits and letting the person KNOW that you'd prefer not to hug. All one has to do is flinch and say "thanks, but I'd rather not". That is self-empowerment. This older staunch feminist does NOT need to be infantilized by those who think I must be protected from the most benign of contact.

In the workplace, nothing more than a handshake or a toast of the glass/verbal praise in celebration of achievement is normally acceptable. But outside of the workplace, I'd hope we do not become the kind of society where a pat on the shoulder becomes scandalous or criminalized. If this is what some are going for, wait until my demise. I don't want a world like that.

[Jarqui]

8. I was about to post something similar.

For me, the bigger problem was women - more of them did it than men.

I didn't like it from either sex.

But I cannot recall ever saying anything to anyone.
I kind of cringed inside and took it.
Most of the time, I was certain they sincerely meant well and there was nothing more to it.
Generally, I did not want to offend them or spark an awkward situation socially by saying anything.

I do think it has anything to do with male privilege.

[tonedevil]

9. I have actual experience...

with trying to refrain from various forms of casual intimacy, like hugs or shoulder squeezes, because it can really upset me. The social recriminations that follow are never pleasant. I'm not even talking about the power dynamic that is inevitable if one of the people involved is the VPOTUS. In my experience saying no thank you if I am asked or straight up backing off if I am blindsided results in not only the huger registering offence, but most others simply assuming that since hugs are good I must be being coy if I don't allow this activity. There have been occasions where I felt so overwhelmed I left the situation. On some of those occasions it has been enough to make me break down. You seem to think that there is some allowance for persons who react badly to touch. I have never seen that happen and I am that person who reacts badly to touch. Perhaps you could try dismounting from that lofty saddle you're perched on and try to understand people who don't feel like you do.

[hlthe2b]

12. I am sorry you have had that experience. Perhaps some areas of US are more

progressive in that respect. I worked for years with victims of sexual assault. My neighbor counsels autistic kids and their families. We have had many conversations on this and how best to provide techniques to convey boundaries. Increasingly, people are not surprised to be told someone has touch sensitivity and that actual phrase is usually all it takes to convey. I don’t think any of our sexual assault victims were asked to explain further. Of course they practice conveying this without defensiveness and that takes some effort at first, given their trauma. You may not believe me when I say so, but the more often they had to do so, the more comfortable they felt.

As I said, it is possible this area is more enlightened as I have noticed more and more people likewise asking before approaching pets to offer a pat. Perhaps that concept of respected boundaries transfers.

[tonedevil]

16. Thank you...

for trying to understand I just do not think you have a clue how I feel. I was about to write more of my history, but since this isn't a thread about Tonedevil's trauma it just seems self indulgent at this point.

[Demsrule86]

25. So tell people how you feel or do think people can read minds?

You can't expect everyone to have an intimate understanding of your needs. I personally don't see the need nor want to live in a world where hugs are not permitted at all. Tell folks.

[tonedevil]

28. I have told people...

and the reaction is that I am not sincere or just need to get over myself. My point is the right to not be hugged is rarely respected in my experience. I really want to thank you for giving me suggestions regarding my issues as if I haven't thought of them myself in all the time I have struggled with them.

[Demsrule86]

65. My future daughter in law doesn't like hugs or much contact so we do a pat pat

On shoulder which she suggested. We also tell her we love her. She was abused as a child. People who treat you like that are horrible. I am sorry you have to go through this.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

63. I get what you're saying... points well taken.

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[UniteFightBack]

74. I have told people...please don't touch me and people have told me to please not touch them.

I'm sorry if the folks you are telling don't get it. But when I don't want to be touched there is no doubt to not fucking touch me or you'll pull back a bloody stump. But if I don't want to 'offend them' I make it about me. It's me...I just don't like to be touched, it's not you it's me,...and that usually disarms them if they are 'offended'. If I need to I will lie then. I have a sensory disorder and it's actually painful for me to get a shoulder squeeze so it's really not a joke that I not be touched.

I wish I could reach out to right now and NOT HUG YOU!!

I'm sure this is OK though..... If not I'm sorry !!!!

[nicehuman16]

78. I can't stand the casual touching

And I agree that it happens more with women. There is a woman that I work with that does it on purpose, more to people who have expressed discomfort because she thinks it's funny.

[treestar]

92. But do you expect the rest of society to conform?

That would be the question. You know that people are not trying to harm you and don't realize it and you have to tell them. That's fair. Average people though should not be expected to conform as most of them would not be bothered. I don't think people see the VP as someone they could not tell him that they don't want a hug.

[tonedevil]

94. I don't think I'm asking to much

to have my request to refrain from a hug be respected. By respected I mean to stop trying to hug me and not try to hector me into hugging. My experience is that many will indeed stop physically hugging if requested, but will continue to try to change my mind or even better insist I don't know my own mind. There are some people who will hug no matter what. I'm not sure if that is what you mean by average people should not be expected to conform.
The problem with an exuberant VP is who is going to say please don't? Because I have been chided for requesting I not be touched by people who are pretty much peers I imagine the pressure is much greater if the VP is there to enhance your political fortunes and starts to get physical. I can't emphasize enough how much I think the power differential is a factor here.

[treestar]

96. There had to be some social

Normal. And those of us who don’t conform have some inconvenience. We can live with that.

[tonedevil]

99. You seem to be saying...

I deserve to be ostracized if don't accept hugging. Apparently asking others to respect my bodily autonomy is just too much of a burden on those who need a hug.

[treestar]

109. Ostracized is a little strong

and sort of black and white thinking. But there are always social customs, so I can't see why they can't be respected. You seemed to think it was even a problem having to explain to people you are not mainstream and that your way should be the general custom even if most people didn't want it to be.

[randr]

34. I have had many women act in a seductive manner for my attention

The games between the sexes is as old as humanity.
I do realize men need to come to terms with recognizing personal space of others as well as women need to come to terms as to how they may have used their attractiveness to get what they want.
There have always been men too aggressive and women too coyish, we need to change a few things for sure.
Some of us are more touchy feely than others. And some of us are less inclined to physical contact. As our social mores change over time we will always be somewhat at a loss to respond to new standards of behavior.
I hope we can find a way to recognize the personal invasion some women feel, find a way to make amends, and grow as a culture.

[calimary]

93. Good point. This is a MOST complicated issue.

And you’re right. Intent DOES matter.

I’m one of those who thinks there is a COLOSSAL difference between a hug or shoulder-rubbing “he touched my waist” during a quick selfie take and “grab ‘em by the pussy” because “when you’re a star, they let you do it.”

But there is the thing about changing times, changing comfort-levels and permission-levels. Millennials bring a different consciousness than baby boomers have brought, and a whole world of new thought.

[ebbie15644]

2. I guess it's ok to attack this particular dem

[PDittie]

14. Facts are not attacks

[Persondem]

20. What facts? Other than Biden is a hugger. nt

[JaneQPublic]

3. Biden is an equal opportunity hugger

...and, well, comforter...

[pnwmom]

21. Please don't pass that around. The photo with Franken is photoshopped.

It's from rightwing sites.

[JaneQPublic]

32. How do you know?

I got it from a loyal Dem Resister on Twitter.

Link to tweet

[pnwmom]

40. Here are the two original photos from which they photoshopped the one of Biden/Franken.

Here is the original photo of Al Franken. Notice what's missing? Joe Biden.

http://www.startribune.com/star-tribune-editorial-board-franken-should-resign/462346243/


And here is the original of Joe Biden -- with Stephanie Carter.


https://www.politico.com/story/2019/03/31/joe-biden-stephanie-carter-1246007

[JaneQPublic]

57. Interesting

Yeah, the picture is clearly a fake.

But with all due respect, asking ME not spread it around is rather amusing in this age of social media.

The photo montage is being tweeted/shared all over. But the good news is, regardless of the pic's source, it is primarily being posted by Dems to defend Biden.

[Tipperary]

88. That is no reason to keep posting it.

You are posting a lie.

[John Fante]

101. Look at all those displays of white male power!

[OKNancy]

4. I think Joe is just an effusive and loving man

He is not afraid of emotion or expressions of emotion. I hate all this, and I am very suspicious of where all this is coming from.

[we can do it]

10. Exactly.

[secondwind]

31. Bingo. That is who he is.

[EveHammond13]

70. agree 100%

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

100. Likewise

There are quite a few photos of Obama and Hillary also hugging people. This is getting blown out of proportion.

[PeeJ52]

5. Who hasn't had the aunt or grandma that always had to have the hug or kiss?

geesh... it goes both ways... There's been women at work that came up to me for a hug at some special occasion that I hardly knew. It's an equal opportunity obsession...

[pnwmom]

22. He's free to hug or kiss his nieces and nephews. The issue is how he treats other adults

to whom he is not related.

[Peacetrain]

6. Not going to work...

[Demit]

7. Benevolent Sexism.

I read an interesting essay the other day at HuffPo that talked about this phenomenon, and included something I didn't know. It was a long time ago, but it quotes something Biden said after Roe v Wade about women's bodies.

'In 1974, shortly after he became a senator, Biden told the Washingtonian that he believed the Supreme Court had “gone too far” with Roe v. Wade. “I don’t think that a woman has the sole right to say what should happen to her body,” he said.'

Did he ever specifically retract that belief? I don't know.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/joe-biden-lucy-flores-benevolent-sexism_n_5ca4bb26e4b0ed0d780f75da

[Demsrule86]

23. From 74 huh...well you know no one ever changes (sarcasm).

[Demit]

30. I know they can. Tell me what he said to show he did.

Without sarcasm.

[Demsrule86]

35. He was vice president. Look it up.

[tonedevil]

41. I've looked it up...

apparently he has never retracted that statement. I'm not saying he still holds to the idea that a woman doesn't have sole right to say what should happen with her body he apparently hasn't said he doesn't since he said he did though. I already know the drill we should just chalk this up to being from a different era, amiright?

[Demsrule86]

45. Why would he retract it? It was 45 years ago. Seriously this is just plain silly.

[tonedevil]

48. Your goal posts are motorized. /nt

[Demsrule86]

51. I find the entire thing ridiculous.

[EveHammond13]

71. we are really through the looking glass here with all of this... stuff

[Autumn]

11. When Joe is campaigning or meeting people in an official capacity he is working for people who

elected him or he is doing that as a powerful man in high government office. I don't notice younger politicians hugging and touching people so I think they are better at controlling their impulses than Joe who had been doing that the whole time he's been in office because they are more aware of the repercussions put in place and they know that in any job those actions are a liability. Because of the laws people, men and women no longer have to tolerate encounters that make them feel uncomfortable at their places of employment and I think they now realize that it just doesn't happen in work places and a powerful person in government shouldn't be doing that. No one is accusing him of sexual assault or anything like that. He will be more aware of boundaries in the future and that's a good thing.

[Beartracks]

42. Not accusing him of assault? Then people should...

... stop using "inappropriate," " invasion, " and "violate" to describe his mannerisms.

========

[tonedevil]

43. Those all seem like...

proper words to describe what is being put forth. It isn't like those words could only be used in conjunction with assault. Just because an act doesn't rise to the level of assault doesn't mean it isn't inappropriate, an invasion of space and/or a violation of bodily autonomy.

[Autumn]

47. "inappropriate" touching" invasion of " and "violateing their space" is not the same as assault.

If he were an employee of a company you owned instead of an employee of the American people you would let him go because of the liability.

[marylandblue]

79. In the places I've worked, this would just generate a warning

if and only if there was a complaint. Which just happened. He got his warning. There shouldn't be a repeat.

[treestar]

91. The younger people are more likely to be touchy feeling in my experience

When I grew up no one hugged anyone, and it seemed to start in this century, but the younger people have grown up with it. It's more in their typical social responses.

Further, Biden has been through a lot in his life and experienced losses most people don't have and when he meets someone who has, he has more empathy.

[Autumn]

95. Which younger politician do you see being "touchy" like Biden is? nt

[treestar]

97. I meant most people

The politicians at least shake a lot of hands. I doubt there is one who would refuse to hug anyone.

[Autumn]

98. I'm certain no politician would refuse a hug but I think younger politicians know better

than to be "huggy" like Biden is. I've never seen a younger politician do anything like that.

[treestar]

110. They haven't lived through what Biden has

I think that is part of how he is.

[Demsrule86]

13. Yawn......

more nonsense. Joe is up a point on you know.

[Dream Girl]

15. Leave the poor man alone for Fs sake!!! Everything is not about misogyny, racism or male priviledge

And I say that as a black woman. Sheesh...what is wrong with people????

[Mme. Defarge]

17. Merci, ma belle!

[OilemFirchen]

18. She's a Brit writing this from England?

Has she ever been to Europe?

[BlueFlorida]

19. Can we let it go now please?

There are far more important and critical issues.

Biden already said that he understands social norms are changing and he will adjust.

[Baltimike]

24. *NOPE*. nt

[LiberalFighter]

26. The writer, Suzanne Moore is wrong.

And why does she think her opinion matter in this. She doesn't live here and she doesn't get to vote.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

27. No, it's just social cluelessness.

[tonedevil]

44. Not necessarily a deal breaker...

not a great trait in a presidential candidate either.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

46. He's said he understands that times have changed

and he will act accordingly. Stacey Abrams was right when she said "We cannot have perfection as a litmus test."

[tonedevil]

50. I agree...

perfection is an unpossible standard. We are in a primary at this point and I am hoping for better than Socially Clueless. If Biden is the ultimate choice I'm on board in a hot second.

[OnDoutside]

29. Lol.

[Liberalator]

33. Joe Biden Is Not What Matters Here

No one has a right to touch other people without permission.

[link:https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/04/joe-biden-lucy-flores-tactile-gray-areas.html|]

That something is done openly and has been for years does not mean it is harmless or that it should be publicly accepted. It is important to recognize that no one has claimed that Biden’s actions felt to them like sexual misconduct. It is also important to recognize that the women who nevertheless say they didn’t like it are seen as rude and intolerant, ungrateful and unkind.

It does mean that we’ve developed an ability to recognize why, whatever’s in his heart, a man shouldn’t go around uniformly doing it to anyone at any time. Touching people is not a personality or a style. Insisting on the freedom to do so would mean prioritizing your way of being over other people’s experience of you.

What’s new is the wide recognition that they’re not alone in that discomfort, and no longer obligated to agree that it’s normal, and fine, and just how things are.

[Demsrule86]

36. Slate is dead to me . They helped elect Trump.

[redstateblues]

53. Home of HA HA Goodman

[Demsrule86]

61. Couldn't remember his name haha.. slate hates Democrats

[Demsrule86]

38. Give it up you are failing to destroy a decent man.

Which now borders on the ridiculous.

[defacto7]

82. That's why they keep coming back over and over and over...

They have to keep pumping that false image, injecting it into the internet. The more backscatter propaganda the closer to the goal of undermining democratic contenders that don't fit their private view. If they were sincere they wouldn't undermine their own cause this way.

[Demit]

49. That is a REALLY good essay. It describes the situation women find themselves in so well.

I guess there are people who will close their ears to the author's perspective, but it wasn't written to threaten Biden's candidacy, and it doesn't, in my mind. Thanks for posting it.

[Thekaspervote]

86. You are talking out of both sides ... if Biden is not the issue, why use his name?

[EveHammond13]

37. how many more threads do we need repeating the same thing

[Demsrule86]

39. They are so sad that Biden is still in first place.

They can't believe the smear campaign is failing...perhaps even backfiring. Next we hear from H whatever Goodman. Give it up folks.

[EveHammond13]

69. +1

[mr_lebowski]

52. Oh, goodie, another one of these threads ...

I really don't think we've BEAT THIS TO FUCKING DEATH QUITE ENOUGH YET.

[Demsrule86]

58. They have hope that maybe the smear will work if they keep it up. It wont.

[RandySF]

54. I wonder how Salon and HuffPost spin this into a negative.

[Kurt V.]

55. Anybody see muffet mcgraw today. She's speaks truth.

(nothing directly to do with biden but relative to this thread)

[redstateblues]

56. The point has been made. For God's sake let it go.

[Demsrule86]

59. Male privilege. Wow bringing out the big guns. I guess personal space isn't working.

[EveHammond13]

73. only making me hate the source of the smears even more

[Loki Liesmith]

60. Lol ok

[MineralMan]

64. Thanks for dropping by. We don't see much of you.

[Loki Liesmith]

75. Ditto

[mr_lebowski]

62. You know what? Women CAN DO EXACTLY this same stuff to men

And not one man would ever (esp. not publicly) raise a fuss about it. Not at the level of shoulder touching or even a kiss to the back of the head.

And if a man did? Say it was Kamala, and men started coming out saying (what people like Ms. Flores said), that Kamala made them 'uncomfortable', etc?

People would and say 'Wait, Seriously? Kamala "Hugged Me A Beat Too Long?" STFU, dude, you're full of it. Uncomfortable ... PFFFFT! Man UP!'

Everyone would know it was a smear job, automatically, you know why?

Because Women in our Society absolutely HAVE this particular privilege ... when it comes to Men.

[JCannon]

66. Hi, Liberalator!

So tell me: Where's the best place to get a quick bite to eat in St. Petersburg? You guys are still at 55 Savushkina Street, right? I checked on Google Earth and couldn't find a Burger King anywhere in that neighborhood.

[samnsara]

67. joes was innocent...

[highplainsdem]

68. BS. And a perversion of the #metoo movement. And Moore gives her bias away by saying

she wants a younger candidate.

[UniteFightBack]

72. Yes some unwanted touch is about power NOT ALL, but is the author and by proxy

you suggesting that Joe Biden is one of those people? Are you saying that he has been using his position and power to purposely be over affectionate to cop cheap feels? Is that what you are saying?

[rampartc]

76. if a strange woman touches me

i usually make sure i still have my wallet.

[ecstatic]

77. This isn't a metoo issue, IMO. There are countless men and women with that personality

type--extremely social, touch feely, close talker, etc. It has nothing to do with male privilege. It's just different personality types. It's a part of life. I really think it's time to grow up and move on.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

102. Bingo

I'm another guy who's experienced such from women. Sometimes it was welcome other times not.

[delisen]

80. We are people not robots.We have a range of acceptable behaviors

I am disgusted with the homogenization of culture and uniformity, and the constant calling out of people publicly as a first resort rather than talking with the person privately or as a group

It is just rude. It is the use of shaming as a tool of power to enforce conformity. We are on the verge of losing democracy.


Authoritarianism of the left or the right eventually becomes the same thing. I don't ant Donald Trump or Lucy Flores making rules for me but right no Donald Trump is a clear and present danger.

I intend to focus on the immense issues we are facing.

[ucrdem]

81. Lame Clinton-era retread.

[Gothmog]

83. Joe Biden is a honestly decent human being

Link to tweet

Decorum seemed far from Biden’s mind when he went off-schedule to stop by the Cabinet Room on June 10, 2013. He slung an arm around my husband, who was about to be nominated by President Barack Obama as the chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers; he hugged my in-laws, whom he had never met; and then he homed in on my kindergartner. The vice president sat down and whispered to my anxious kid about the small Schleich knight he was clutching. My son relaxed, and slumped back into Biden’s lap. At that point, an aide interrupted to say that Biden was overdue for a meeting with Kosovar Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi. Still, he refused to rush. He called over my daughter and his photographer for this photo:

Why am I telling another “Biden being Biden” story? Because I believe that the character of the person who occupies the Oval Office is of the utmost importance, and because I believe that Biden, far from a bad man, is an unusually good one.....

Biden’s disregard of this protocol is telling. He enters a room, just as he enters a debate about union rights or domestic violence, with a predisposition to lend an ear to the least powerful.

Judging from the reaction to the recent spate of Biden stories, time is up on avuncular attention, now interpreted as at best pernicious paternalism and at worst septuagenarian sexual harassment. In the cultural revolution under way in America, men like Biden are invited to offer their head if their prior actions deviated from the new norms.

No doubt, character counts. I, for one, admire Biden’s deviant decency.

[Gothmog]

84. In Defense of Joe Biden: A Hug When I Needed One

Link to tweet

At age 33, I had been a life-long Republican. I worked for, what many might describe as the “dark side and/or Darth Vaders of politics”, including George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, and Sarah Palin. I was conservative in my upbringing, values, and beliefs. I stayed true to those feelings yet still found myself drawn to Joe Biden. Our affable, blunder-prone, yet seemingly oh-so-real Vice President.....

I was anxious, sad, and seriously swollen with emotion but was able to get a chance to meet the Vice President. Many of the local Democrats remarked “what are YOU doing here?” when I showed up in line at his photo opportunity. I explained my affection for VP Biden because of what I had been through, and no one blinked an eye, everyone understood. He was a good man. No matter your party.

When my turn came up to have my brief meet-and-greet and photo taken with Vice President Biden, I was nervous. Why AM I here?? But immediately, he knew my story (his staff had briefed him) and he brought me in for a long, big hug. It was exactly what I needed. We discussed Beau and my father. We talked about the recent loss of my mother — he understood family tragedy. He was close, nose to nose at times and hand in hand, but it was in that personal touch that I KNEW he was a human. Not a Vice President, or a politician, or someone that was giving a speech later that night. He was a real person, who had been through real things. Just like me. We must’ve talked for five minutes — far more than the paying Democrat contributors got! — but it was so genuine, no one would complain. Especially Mr. Biden, communicating and comparing stories with me was clearly a highlight for him amidst his political duties. I left with a giant smile on my face, the first in days, and was uplifted for a long time after. I met my hero, and he was exactly what I had expected him to be.

My point in telling this story is that, while Vice President Biden has a very personal and affectionate way about him, it is only because he loves people. He loves people’s stories. Man, woman, child. Father, mother, son, daughter, spouse. He knows people are hurting and can relate and offer genuine support. And human touch is the most basic form of relaying that. There is no ulterior motive — he just wants to get close to everyone. Because he cares about their stories. And is human. And THAT is what matters most and crosses all party lines.

[treestar]

89. Thanks for these

It is nice not to always dwell on the negatives about somebody or to take their actions in the worse possible light.

[Thekaspervote]

85. Go away!!

[cwydro]

87. How many of these threads are we going to have?

[MineralMan]

90. No, it's not. Really.

Joe Biden's a nice guy, not a pervy guy like Trump. Not at all.

[stonecutter357]

103. #facknews !

[namahage]

104. This is a discussion-worthy topic.

Perhaps the OP might see fit to address the points and rebuttals, rather than doing what is pejoratively termed "posting and running."

[John Fante]

105. The smear-job is completely back-firing at this point.

[dubyadiprecession]

106. In my experience women resort to the same behavior of physical contact.

Years ago,(Before I knew I needed to care about this) women would grope me.

There might some truth to that old Chris Rock joke, “if your an ugly guy, it sexual harassment, if your handsome your good to go”.

[DemDerek]

107. Joe Biden's "inappropriate touching" is BS

We've seen this shit again and again and again over the years: Swiftboat Veterans for Truth! Obama was born in Kenya! Hillary ran a pedo ring out of a pizzeria! Now this crap!

Seems whenever we have a truly winning candidate, the BS Machine cranks up to Maximum Slanders Mode! It's already cost us Gore, Kerry, and HRC presidencies. Let's not be distracted by the Shiny Objects this time: tell BS to go fuck itself!

[democratisphere]

108. Not more of THIS again!

[Gothmog]

111. Early State Democrats Stand With Biden As Touching Scandal Falls Flat

Link to tweet

Progressives and advisers to Bernie Sanders hoped that they could keep Biden out of the race with a scandal that centers around personal space. The scandal though never really dominated the news like they hoped it or accelerated enough to damage the former vice president’s potential candidacy. Biden is still leading in the way too early polling, and he has seen no erosion in his support since the touching scandal started.

The challenge that any Democratic candidate faces is that Joe Biden has deep roots and a huge national organization of party officials. Biden is beloved by the party rank and file, and it is going to take more than what his political adversaries tried to turn into a scandal to stop his candidacy.

After seeing the behavior of porn star paying off, Access Hollywood tape accused sexual assaulter Trump, Joe Biden’s behavior doesn’t rise to the level of disqualifying in the minds of many Democrats.

Democratic voters may choose a different nominee, but Joe Biden is showing why he is going to be hard to beat in 2020.