Joe Biden released a short video Wednesday addressing allegations levelled at him by a number of women for inappropriate behavior which included kissing and touching. Many believe this to be a sure sign that the 77-year-old Democrat is considering a run for the presidency in the next round of elections.
This move came after a gibe made on him Tuesday by United States President Donald Trump, who has himself been accused of sexually inappropriate behavior with women. In the video statement, Biden declared that he would be more cognizant of his behavior.
Joseph R. Biden, Jr., pointed out that "social norms" have "shifted" and that "new boundaries" have been set with respect to what is considered "personal space." He also said that he hears and understands what "they're saying." He made a promise as well to be "more mindful," that being, he declared, "my responsibility."
However, an observation was made that, in all of the three minutes, which is the length of this aforementioned video, not once in the 351-word speech was there mention of an apology. There was no "I'm sorry" for the kind of behavior he is being accused of displaying against women, who have since come out saying they felt violated.
This video release was a response to Trump's saying he was "going to call him" and mocking comments "Welcome to the world" and "having a good time?"
The president also added in a later comment that Biden was going to "make his own decisions," and "I do wish him luck."
In the light of what Biden is facing currently, many have publicly expressed their support of him, among those are South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, Meghan McCain, and California Senator Dianne Feinstein.
MSNBC Morning Joe co-host and journalist Mika Emilie Brzezinski has described the presumptive presidential candidate as being "extremely affectionate" but in a "completely safe" manner, something which has been captured in snapshots over the years.
Biden maintains his actions have been purely chaste in the countless instances he has been pictured in being in close contact---"affectionate"---with people, including even animals. The former Delaware senator admitted his public displays of affection are a quirk of his, an attempt to establish a connection with people.
This former vice president to Barack Obama explained that his tendency toward displaying close physical contact has been his way of responding to many of those who have reached out to him for "solace" to "help them" deal with life challenges.
He further reasoned that he has always viewed politics as a way to "connect" with those around him and "never" as something "cold" or "anti-septic" and that "shaking hands" or hugging or touching people is something that came as natural to him.
There are seven women who have come out publicly, expressing how the politician has made them feel discomfited. And while he has not announced his candidacy, he is touted as the best Democratic bid to run against the incumbent Trump, something which others fear may possibly never come to light with the present allegations now directed at him.
It has not helped that he cracked pointed jokes only recently, regarding the very issues for which he has been called out for. This was when he addressed the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Construction Conference (IBEW).
Upon being introduced Friday in Washington, DC, by IBEW president Lonnie Stephenson, he turned to the audience to say that he had "permission to hug Lonnie."
Later halfway through his speech, when some children came up on stage, he once more laughingly made reference by saying that the kid he had put his arm around gave him "permission to touch."
This was the closest Biden has come in terms of giving direct reference to the recent assertions regarding his so-called inappropriate behavior.
