Former Vice President Joe Biden says he’ll be more mindful of people’s personal space, after two women stepped forward to accuse the likely 2020 presidential candidate of inappropriate touching. Earlier this week, former congressional aide Amy Lappos said Biden approached her during a Democratic fundraiser in Connecticut in 2009, pulled her head toward his face and rubbed noses with her. Her allegation came days after former Nevada Assemblymember Lucy Flores said Biden smelled her hair and planted a kiss on the back of her head at an event in 2014. This is Joe Biden speaking in a video posted to Twitter on Wednesday.
Joe Biden: “Social norms have begun to change. They’ve shifted. And the boundaries of protecting personal space have been reset. And I get it. I get it. I hear what they’re saying. I understand it. And I’ll be much more mindful. That’s my responsibility.”
Many Democrats said Biden’s statement fell short. Lucy Flores said in a statement, “Given the work he has done on behalf of women, Vice President Biden should be aware of how important it is to take personal responsibility for inappropriate behavior, and yet he hasn’t apologized to the women he made uncomfortable.”