Joe Biden addresses allegations of inappropriate touching in new video
With speculation mounting that he'll enter the 2020 race for president, former Vice President Joe Biden posted a video to his Twitter and Instagram accounts on Wednesday addressing recent accusations of inappropriate behavior by several women.
Social norms are changing. I understand that, and I’ve heard what these women are saying. Politics to me has always been about making connections, but I will be more mindful about respecting personal space in the future. That’s my responsibility and I will meet it. pic.twitter.com/Ya2mf5ODts
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) April 3, 2019
In the video, Biden begins by apparently defending his touchy-feely persona by saying, "In my career, I've always tried to make a human connection." He also spoked about people who have "reached out for solace and comfort" to deal with tragedies in their life like the ones he's faced. (Biden's first wife and young daughter were killed in a 1972 car wreck.)
SEE ALSO: 15 times Joe Biden didn't understand personal space
Biden then pivots to newer social norms and makes a promise to be more aware of his own actions in the future: "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."
He then finishes by returning to the message of "connecting with people. That won't change but I will be more mindful and respectful of peoples' personal space."
In the last week, multiple women have come forward to discuss experiences with Biden in which they said he touched them inappropriately. Biden's apparent lack of boundaries has been a topic of conversation before, but they're being explored in the new light of the #MeToo era.
Similarly, Biden's poor treatment of Anita Hill during the Clarence Thomas confirmation hearings, during which Hill was questioned about accusations of sexual harassment she made against Thomas, were recently revisited with regards to the Brett Kavanaugh hearings.
All of that said, one important point about Biden's video is that he never issues a direct apology, either in general or to the specific women who made the allegations.
And that didn't escape notice on Twitter.
This follows the pattern of what Biden has said about crime bill and Anita Hill. A regretful tone but an avoidance of admitting direct fault https://t.co/QjBbMGZzK5
— Steadman™ (@AsteadWesley) April 3, 2019
Not heard in this video: "I'm sorry." https://t.co/3crDH9045a
— Marina Fang (@marinafang) April 3, 2019
You can believe that Joe Biden is a decent human being/ public servant AND that he's failed to care enough about women to understand their unfair/unequal treatment by society, from Anita Hill to his "handsiness."
Being decent doesn't innoculate people from their blindspots.— Julie DiCaro (@JulieDiCaro) April 3, 2019
Should be noted that Biden doesn't actually apologize or admit he did anything wrong. Rather, he's saying that people are upset with him because society has changed and his actions were actually okay at a different time, they just aren't in fashion today. https://t.co/xxAJJQAXHw
— Nathan McDermott (@natemcdermott) April 3, 2019
While he seems to hint at a potential run in the video, saying, "In the coming month, I expect to be talking about you about a whole lot of issues," Biden still hasn't formally announced his intentions to run as a Democratic candidate in 2020. Biden previously ran for president in 1988 and 2008.
WATCH: Kamala Harris announces 2020 presidential bid
