Jokin’ Joe touches on feely ways

Former veep Joe Biden seemed to mock women’s complaints that he’s handsy by making several quips about getting permission to touch attendees at a speech before an electrical workers union on Friday.

“I want you to know that I had permission to hug Lonnie. I did,” Biden said before an audience of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. He then turned to IBEW President Lonnie Stephenson, who was standing off stage, and mimed a hug. “I don’t know, man,” he said shaking his head.

Biden, who has not formally declared his 2020 presidential campaign, was accused by Nevada legislator Lucy Flores of sniffing her hair and kissing the top of her head during a 2014 campaign rally. Three other women came forward subsequently, accusing the former Delaware senator of invading their personal space with hugs, kisses on the cheek and toofamiliar touching.

None of the women have complained that he was sexually harassing them.

Biden put out a video on Wednesday in which he addressed the complaints, saying that this was his way of connecting with people, but that he understands that public mores have changed.

On Friday, before the union audience, Biden welcomed four kids — two boys and two girls — to the stage and again appeared to refer back to the complaints that he’s too touchy-feely.

“By the way, he gave him permission to touch him,” he said (photo) to thunderous applause from the crowd.

But not everyone was amused.

“So now he’s making jokes?” tweeted Tarana Burke, the civil rights leader who founded the #MeToo movement. “This is disrespectful and inexcusable. People have been asking me all week if what @LucyFlores experienced was worth coming forward about. My answer is YES.”