Joe Biden Gets Touchy Feely During Iowa Campaign Event
Democratic presidential candidate kissed teen granddaughter on the lips before crowd
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Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden appeared to be back to his old touchy-feely ways during a campaign event in Iowa Sunday.
The former vice president invited his teenage granddaughter onto the stage before kissing her on the lips in front of the audience while giving a speech ahead of the Iowa caucuses.
He then proceeded to hug and kiss members of the crowd at Clarke University in Dubuque.
Biden was spotted clutching 19-year-old Finnegan Biden's hand as they arrived at a campaign event.
The 77-year-old Democrat controversially pecked the teen on the mouth as a crowd of his supporters watched on.
Finnegan, who is the daughter of Biden's son, Hunter Biden, later stood by as her grandfather hugged members of the crowd.
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At one point, Biden could be seen interacting with a baby as he kissed the child's hands, according to the Daily Mail.
The campaign event came on the eve of the Iowa caucuses as Democratic presidential candidates hustled across the state trying to fire up voters and make one last appeal to those struggling to make a final decision about their choice in the crowded field.
Campaigns and voters acknowledged a palpable sense of unpredictability and anxiety as Democrats begin choosing which candidate to send on to a November face-off with President Donald Trump.
The Democratic race is unusually large and jumbled heading into Monday´s caucus, with four candidates locked in a fight for victory in Iowa and others still in a position to pull off surprisingly strong finishes.
Many voters say they're still weighing which White House hopeful they'll support.
Polls show Biden in a tight race in Iowa with Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, as well as former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg.
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The early days of Biden's campaign were dogged with allegations from women who have come forward to accuse the presidential candidate of inappropriate touching.
The first accusation came before Biden even announced his run when fellow Democrat Lucy Flores accused Biden of touching her, kissing her head, and "inhaling" her hair during a rally in 2014.
Shortly after, six more women came forward with similar complaints.
The controversy prompted "Creepy Uncle Joe" to release a video defending his actions.
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 (Text Join to 30330) (@JoeBiden) April 3, 2019
Biden's accusers said they felt his video didn't do enough to address the issue, however, and his remarks were widely mocked
President Donald Trump even tweeted a parody of Biden's video.
WELCOME BACK JOE! pic.twitter.com/b2NbBSX3sx
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 4, 2019
After his remarks, Biden told reporters he would not apologize for his affectionate style and conceded he wouldn’t be shocked if additional allegations surfaced.
“The fact of the matter is, I made it clear if I made anyone feel uncomfortable, I feel badly about that. That was never my intention ever, ever, ever,” Biden said.
“I’m sorry I didn’t understand. I’m not sorry for any of my intentions.
"I’m not sorry for anything I have ever done.
"I’ve never been disrespectful intentionally to man or woman.
"That’s not the reputation I’ve had since I was in high school.”
