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A2 UP FRONT
Monday 1 april 2019

Biden faces new scrutiny from Dems over behavior with women

By JULIE PACE and consider apologizing to
THOMAS BEAUMONT Flores. Conway deflected
Associated Press questions about the nu-
WASHINGTON (AP) — For- merous women who have
mer Vice President Joe accused Trump of sexual
Biden on Sunday defended misconduct, allegations he
his interactions with wom- denies.
en, saying he doesn’t be- Flores told The Associated
lieve he’s ever acted inap- Press on Sunday that she
propriately. But a Nevada had been mulling com-
politician’s assertion that ing forward for years. The
Biden’s kiss on the back of tipping point for her, she
her head made her feel said, was Biden’s meeting
uncomfortable prompted in March with 2018 Georgia
some Democrats to ques- Democratic gubernatorial
tion whether the 76-year- nominee Stacey Abrams.
old is too out of step with “I saw that she was meet-
his own party to run a suc- ing with him and I thought
cessful 2020 presidential to myself that if I don’t say
campaign. something now, I’m going
The episode, recounted to regret this,” Flores said.
by Democrat Lucy Flores, Flores said she approached
highlighted an aspect of In this March 12, 2019, file photo, former Vice President Joe Biden speaks to the International As- only New York Magazine to
Biden’s persona that has sociation of Firefighters at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill in Washington. publish her account of her
been publicly known for Associated Press. encounter with Biden and
years: the affectionate “In my many years on the House hopefuls like Califor- coming at him,” Bobo said. that the magazine had
whispers, hugs and shoul- campaign trail and in nia Sen. Kamala Harris and “And it’s going to come at fact-checked the piece
der squeezes he has long public life, I have offered Texan Beto O’Rourke have him from the Democrats.” after she submitted it. She
doled out to women, often countless handshakes, drawn big crowds and dis- None of Biden’s potential said that she had provided
on camera and at high- hugs, expressions of affec- played early fundraising rivals defended him fol- New York with the names
profile public events. In a tion, support and comfort,” prowess. lowing Flores’ allegations. of several people she con-
moment of national reck- he said. “And not once Biden still leads most early Massachusetts Sen. Eliza- fided with about the inci-
oning over sexual harass- — never — did I believe I polls, buoyed by broad beth Warren said she be- dent soon after it occurred.
ment and the treatment acted inappropriately. If it name recognition and the lieved Flores and that Biden She said she also “shared a
of women by powerful is suggested I did so, I will goodwill he generated dur- “needs to give an answer” conversation with a former
men, some Democrats said listen respectfully.” ing eight years as President about what occurred. New staffer” about the episode.
Biden’s actions have taken Flores’ account of the Barack Obama’s No. 2. York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand Flores declined to name
on a new light. 2014 incident comes at a Given his experience and said, “Lucy Flores felt de- any of those people to AP,
“It looks different in 2019,” crucial moment for Biden. appeal with white working- meaned, and that is never saying that “no one is will-
said Maria Cardona, a He’s been wrestling for class voters in Midwestern okay. If Vice President Biden ing to speak publicly.”
Democratic strategist. months with a final deci- battleground states, he’s becomes a candidate, this The AP tried to contact sev-
Cardona said that while sion on whether to run for also seen by some Demo- is a topic he’ll have to en- eral advisers and aides from
Biden’s behavior is not au- president, blowing through crats as the best-positioned gage on further.” Washing- Flores’ 2014 campaign, but
tomatically disqualifying several self-imposed dead- candidate to defeat Presi- ton Gov. Jay Inslee said, “I was unable to obtain any
for the presidency, “it all lines. Meanwhile, the Dem- dent Donald Trump. believe it’s important to lis- independent verification of
depends on how he con- ocratic primary has sped Nancy Bobo, an Iowa ten and take seriously any her account.
tinues to respond to this. He on without him, with more activist who was among incident like this.” Flores said Biden’s team
has to acknowledge that than a dozen candidates Obama’s earliest support- White House counselor Kel- has not been in touch with
his behavior made some in the race, including a re- ers in the state, shares that lyanne Conway said Flores her since her story was
women uncomfortable.” cord number of women view. She fears the episode was “quite bold” to “go up published. She said she
In a statement on Sunday, and minorities. Veterans like with Flores suggests Demo- against the highest levels would be satisfied if Biden
Biden said it was never his Vermont Sen. Bernie Sand- crats may try to tear down of her political party” with simply acknowledged the
intention to make women ers have shown surprising their most-qualified candi- the allegations and sug- discomfort the episode
feel discomfort. strength, while newer White date. “I can just see what’s gested that Biden should caused her.q