Biden jokes about hugging in first speech since allegations
washington — Democrat Joe Biden, who signalled on Friday he was on the cusp of announcing a presidential bid, brushed off allegations of inappropriate conduct with women by joking about hugging in his first public appearance since the accusations broke.
The former vice-president said he was “very close” to revealing his 2020 plans, and that he and his team were busy “putting everything together.”
But the will-he-or-won’t-he campaign game by the 76-yearold, who is his party’s frontrunner in opinion polls despite not officially joining the race, has been clouded by allegations about his behaviour with women.
Over the past week, Biden has been accused of inappropriately touching women or making them feel uncomfortable with his affection. That was “never my intention,” he said at an International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers conference in Washington, as he sought, unsuccessfully, to defuse the turmoil.
He added that while he “wouldn’t be surprised” if more women came forward with similar claims, “I’ve had hundreds and hundreds of people contact me — who I don’t know — and say the exact opposite”.
But while he sought to move past the controversy, the veteran politician made an awkward joke about the situation.
After embracing union chief Lonnie Stephenson, Biden turned to the crowd and said “I just want you to know I had permission to hug Lonnie.”
The overwhelmingly male audience laughed.
Further into his speech, he brought young children onstage and repeated a similar joke, before adding: “Everyone knows I like kids more than people.”
Biden has said that in his constant effort to make “a human connection,” he shakes hands, hugs voters, and sometimes grasps their shoulders in moments of compassion or good will.
That behaviour has sparked criticism from his own party and its increasingly diverse base, with some saying he is out of step with changing social norms.