BREAKING: Ex-Nevada Dem Assemblywoman Accuses Joe Biden of 'Blatantly Inappropriate & Unnerving'...

[DonViejo]

BREAKING: Ex-Nevada Dem Assemblywoman Accuses Joe Biden of ‘Blatantly Inappropriate and Unnerving’ Behavior

by Josh Feldman | Mar 29th, 2019, 4:45 pm

Former Nevada State Assemblywoman Lucy Flores spoke out today detailing a very awkward and uncomfortable encounter she had with former Vice President Joe Biden in 2014.

Flores was the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in Nevada in 2014, and she recounts how Biden came to the state ahead of the election to campaign.

At the event in question, Flores says she felt Biden’s hands on her shoulders:

I felt him get closer to me from behind. He leaned further in and inhaled my hair. I was mortified. I thought to myself, “I didn’t wash my hair today and the vice-president of the United States is smelling it. And also, what in the actual fuck? Why is the vice-president of the United States smelling my hair?” He proceeded to plant a big slow kiss on the back of my head. My brain couldn’t process what was happening. I was embarrassed. I was shocked. I was confused. There is a Spanish saying, “tragame tierra,” it means, “earth, swallow me whole.” I couldn’t move and I couldn’t say anything. I wanted nothing more than to get Biden away from me. My name was called and I was never happier to get on stage in front of an audience.

She writes that Biden’s behavior was “blatantly inappropriate and unnerving” and he made her feel “uneasy, gross, and confused.”

more
https://www.mediaite.com/online/breaking-ex-nevada-dem-assemblywoman-accuses-joe-biden-of-blatantly-inappropriate-and-unnerving-behavior/

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Oh boy........

I suspect that Joe meant no evil intent by his actions. However, he was inappropriate.

So what happens now?

I have no idea. But the whole thing makes me sad.

[Tom Rinaldo]

10. I don't know either

Ny feelings are similar. Worthy of a rebuke perhaps were he a member of Congress if this story is true, relatively miner in the realm of inappropriate behavior, but yes inappropriate. She was the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor of Nevada at the time, so she has credibility.

[Tipperary]

72. "Relatively minor?" Seriously?

I will go out on a limb here and guess you are male.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

79. If true, is hardly minor... but, it's only fair to hear Joe's side of the story.

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[sheshe2]

89. Essays are hardly minor either.

I await their explanation, it is only fair.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

121. Whataboutism!!!

[Tom Rinaldo]

116. Relative to much more horrendous acts is all I meant by that

Less horrendous than most of what Trump is accused of for example. Less horrendous than forced groping, less horrendous than assault. IF Biden were still in the Senate, should he have been forced from office over this? Maybe, I really don't know. I know it can't be ignored. And unless it is ignored Biden has some real political problems. Especially if this is a pattern.

[BlueFlorida]

60. How do you know if it is even true? nt

[Funtatlaguy]

2. Oh boy. How long before media asks Gillibrand about this.

[LenaBaby61]

50. Oh boy. How long before media asks Gillibrand about this.

And we know she'll say again that Bill Clinton should have resigned

Meanwhile, what about her staffer not handling sexual harassment charges properly? Didn't she defend the staffer?

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

90. What do you think KG would say?

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[Funtatlaguy]

98. Who knows? But I bet she would be the first to say it.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

126. Say what?

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[OnDoutside]

127. Lol !

[Shell_Seas]

3. I've heard Republicans frequently talk about him doing things like this;

I also think he meant no harm, but this will undoubtedly become an attack against him.

[RDANGELO]

4. He would make a good president, but it does you no good if you can't get there.

He has a reputation for this.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

5. There's a definite pattern. It's possible for Joe Biden to be a good person who has great policy

ideas and strong beliefs -- and who utterly should not be president.

[Kurt V.]

51. +1

[BlueFlorida]

62. There is a definite pattern?

One swallow doesn't make it summer Sir.

[jberryhill]

81. Unfortunately

There are several semesters worth of Widener Law students who are familiar with this behavior, including a Delaware Family Court judge.

[at140]

102. There is a YouTube video showing many instances of Joe

Of Joe making women supposedly uncomfortable. Frankly I thought it was just Joe acting affectionate by kissing the females hair. Not all that aggressive. But I expect the video will be ubiquitous after Joe declares his run.

[LibDemAlways]

113. Not all adult females either. Some on

the videos are children, young girls he has his hands on at Congressional swearing in ceremonies. I am willing to give him every benefit of the doubt that his "handsy" behavior is, in his mind, entirely innocent and fatherly. But I guarantee that should he win the nomination, those videos will be played ad nauseum in the mainstream media and Biden's intent hotly debated. He'll be put on the defensive immediately.

[Merlot]

154. Agreed.

I was already waiting for this, having seen the video where he's swearing in a member of congress and being friendly with the family members.

It may have been a Jon Stewart bit, and I remember at the time thinking ohhhhh, yuck.

But I guarantee that should he win the nomination, those videos will be played ad nauseum in the mainstream media and Biden's intent hotly debated. He'll be put on the defensive immediately.

[Loki Liesmith]

6. Ok

[madaboutharry]

7. That is very creepy.

That is inappropriate and harassing conduct.

Do we divide men into two groups when these things happen? One group of silly old men who don't know how to interact with women and another group of bona fide creepers?

For a woman on the receiving end of this there is no difference.

I am sorry to hear this, but it is and should be a real problem for Biden.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

11. "For a woman on the receiving end of this there is no difference."

[mr_lebowski]

52. Huh ... obviously I'm not a woman so I can't be 100%, but ...

I feel like if I were, there'd be a fair bit of difference to me.

I mean, assuming I'm able to determine with a reasonable degree of certainty ... which type the person was and what the intent was.

But I'm not, so ...

[madaboutharry]

55. It is pity that some men don't understand that

when your space and person is invaded by unwanted touching, kissing, and harassment that women don't give a shit what one's motivation is.

[mr_lebowski]

57. I believe 100% that's 100% true of many if not most women ...

I'm equally nearly positive that if *I* were one, I would care about the intention and character of the person, and easily see myself considerably more disturbed by one person doing this ... vs. someone else doing it ... Like say if the stranger was DJT, vs. George Clooney.

But you're saying ... exact same? Huh.

Then again, to your point ... I guess some of us maybe DON'T understand. It is legitimately, though, that really is my perception of how I would think about it

[Tipperary]

74. Whoa.

I find it scary you think this way. So if a good looking guy does it, it would be ok? Wow. You sure do NOT understand it.

[mr_lebowski]

94. Clearly, I'm not a female ...

So I don't maybe ENTIRELY get the idea that ANY stranger kissing the back of my head would affect me identically to ANY other stranger.

I definitely would not suspect George Clooney was doing it because he's total creep, whereas I know that Trump ... IS ONE. Plus I hate Trumps freaking guts, and I rather like GC.

So, that, + the fact he's easy on the eyes, and highly desirable ... I think it would make a fairly sizable difference to how it impacted me between the two cases.

But again, all I can do is guess, not actually being female, only being ... me.

As a male, I can PROMISE you I'm fine with GC walking up and kissing the back of my head, and I'm pretty much straight.

So probably don't mind me

And trust me *I* don't behave like that w/people, just to be clear.

[shanny]

96. just, eeeew

[mr_lebowski]

104. Okay, Sassy-Pants ...

How about you compare and contrast for me ...

Scenario 1:

Lets say Bruno Mars is you and your daughters FAVORITE singer. And lets say you're a recent widow, you and daughter are down, dad passed away 2 months back after a long, painful illness ... you decide to take her to see Bruno Mars. You get you 2 front row seats, you spent $1500/seat. I mean, you both LOVE Bruno, your time listening to him w/your daughter is been what got you through ...

At a certain point in the show, Bruno leaves the stage, lights go down, everyone's cheering ... you feel two hands on each shoulder, then a light bump on the back of your head ... spotlight shines down that second, you turn around, and IT'S FREAKING BRUNO, and you realize he just kissed the back of your head ... you look at your daughter, she's beaming, tears are flowing down face ... she yells "I WROTE HIM A LETTER MOM! I TOLD HIM ABOUT DAD!!!"

And he starts singing you and your daughter's most FAVORITE Bruno song, the one you two sing together all the time, and he's looking right into your eyes, and the crowd is going NUTS ... and he invites you to dance with him, and you do ... and your daughter cries and you cry and it's a fantastic moment.

Scenario 2:
You're hurrying to your car in a dimly-lit alley, midnight, big city alone ... when an 80 year old grimy homeless man, dressed only in a trench coat, rolls out of a dumpster, walks up behind you, puts his grubby, diseased hands on your shoulders, and plants a kiss on the back of your hair, snickers and laughs maniacally, then runs off cackling with more insane laughter ...


Now ... you tell me ... which one are you going home afterwards and telling EVERYONE you know about, filled with happiness and pride, and which one are you calling the cops over, and working through with your counselor for weeks?

Or ... are you telling me ... as the post I responded to implies ... you'd feel the EXACT same way about BOTH, cause they're the exact same thing: two strangers, put their hands on your shoulders and kissed the back of your head?

Hmmm?

[shanny]

111. Save it dude.

A creep is a creep. And making up a ridiculous story like that to try to justify creepy behavior by a politician who should fucking know better is lame, disingenuous and part of the problem.

Hmmm?

[mr_lebowski]

114. Did I EVER mention Joe Biden, or justify what he did?

NO.

I responded to a specific post stating there's NO DIFFERENCE with who it is, or what the situation is, EVER, in terms of how a woman will perceive ... a relatively minor violation of their personal space.

I claimed ... basically I have a hard time understanding that assertion. I admitted that I may very well may not, due to being a male.

You can call it ridiculous scenario all you want, what I did was what's called 'proving my point via illustration'.

It illustrates the ONE AND ONLY point I was making.

Let me make the same point another way ... not so ridiculous ... would every lady on this thread be SO disgusted ... if it had been Obama instead of Biden? I mean, yeah, you'd still be as disappointed, probably, but ... you might well guess that she COULD feel different about the two experiences ... couldn't you?

Look, you can deny if you want, but I'm fairly sure ... it actually does matter somewhat 'who it is' and it does matter 'the scenario'. EVERY stranger ... in every scenario ... does not 'feel' the same way. Hence my illustration.

Only point I'm trying to make. Not trying to say 'well, it's okay for men to assume that they are so great they can do whatever they want'. To be VERY CLEAR, I don't mean that, sister

[shanny]

117. the thread is about Biden, and his alleged behavior

you're trying to argue that the creepiness is dependent upon how good-looking/sexy/nice-seeming/whatevs the person doing it is or isn't and I'm trying to tell you that that behavior is creepy Period.

And YES it would be creepy if it were Obama instead of Biden, it would be creepy if it was George Clooney--in fact, it would be WORSE because it would totally contradict their public personas and everything I would expect from them. Do you think, to give another scenario, being groped by your sweet grandpa would be more or less traumatic than some random stranger?

hmmm?

I get it: you're a guy and you don't get it. Did you see, during the Kavanaugh hearings, a tweet that went viral about the different ways men and women prevent sexual assault? Here's a brief article on it (I couldn't link the tweet with the list, but its in there)

https://www.scarymommy.com/how-women-protect-themselves-sexual-assault/

Read that and then you might begin to understand why women react strongly to merely creepy behavior.

[dsc]

8. Honestly this is a huge problem

It is very hard to believe this woman just decided to make this up out of whole cloth. If it is remotely close to being a true description of what Biden did, it is in my mind, disqualifying.

[BlueJac]

9. True or false?

I guess it is game on for all candidates. This country is in a spin craziness and everyone will have to buckle up for the long haul!

[Hoyt]

13. I almost posted, "Jeeez, we're going to have to nominate a Priest."

Then realized that won’t work, either.

Seriously, it’s going to be hard to ignore this revelation.

[SaschaHM]

14. I've always liked Joe, but there's an entire internet rabbit hole that one could fall into

if you want to look at pictures of Joe Biden creepily rubbing shoulders, whispering from behind, and kissing.

Lucy Flores supported Bernie in 2016 and worked w/ Our Revolution, but she also was the Democratic nominee for LT. Gov of Nevada one year (Harry Reid's machine was involved) and served in Jason Kander's organization so she definitely understands the weight of her accusations politically.

[George II]

156. These incidents should have disqualified him years ago:

[WhiskeyGrinder]

16. It's possible for people you like to harass people you don't like.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

22. I know that if I reported a co-worker for rubbing my shoulders and smelling my hair there

would be consequences. As Flores says:

Imagine you’re at work and a male colleague who you have no personal relationship with approaches you from behind, smells your hair, and kisses you on the head. Now imagine it’s the CEO of the company. If Biden and I worked together in a traditional office, I would have complained to the HR department, but on the campaign trail, there’s no clear path for what to do when a powerful man crosses the line. In politics, you shrug it off, smile for the cameras, and get back to the task of trying to win your race.

[Cha]

20. You're Wrong, Lucy Flores.. and

FO wikileaks.

she seems nice

[still_one]

35. No surprise here. The biggest threat to Sanders is Biden, so I have no doubt they are going to play

scorch and burn all the way, whether there is validity or not to an accusation.

With his appointments to high positions in his campaign of David Sirota, Nina Turner, and Briahna Joy Gray, who not only voted for Jill Stein in the 2016 General Election, but encouraged others to do likewise, up to and including the day before the general election, tells everything I need to know about Sanders, and his strategy

[Hassin Bin Sober]

106. Lol. This is Bernie's fault?

Try again.

Teh evil Bernie!

[shanny]

118. That was pretty hilarious, I gotta admit.

[lillypaddle]

17. And so it begins ...

Oh, Joe ...

[Amimnoch]

18. Are there other instances to corroborate, show a pattern?

This is a person who is VERY much all in for Bernie Sanders, and VP Biden is the one person consistently beating him in polls.

I have a strong impulse to automatically assume the integrity and honesty of victims, but given the history of tactics staffers and supporters have utilized for this particular candidate, if there isn’t some kind of corroborating history to this, I’m skeptical:

https://m.facebook.com/LucyFloresNV/posts/1638282836394041

These are just a couple of many she has on the record.

I sincerely hope VP Biden responds to this fast, frankly, and honestly.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

23. It was a total meme during the Obama/Biden administration that Uncle Joe was adorably handsy.

And it's not a problem, if the recipient enjoys that attention. The problem is when they don't. In which case, it's better to err on the side of caution, which IMO Biden will not do.

[Amimnoch]

28. Damn, I hadn't heard of that :(

I get that different regions and different generations come from and have different cultures. Any POTUS or VPOTUS should be evolved past personal enculturation and have a more professional demeanor about them.

Still a hundred times better than just about anything Cheetolini does on any given day, but disappointing.

I still hope he addresses this quickly, frankly, and honestly.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

31. Here's an example:

https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/davidmack/say-heyyyyy-miss-carter

[TwilightZone]

41. Debunked by Ash Carter.

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/joe-biden-grope-photograph/

[WhiskeyGrinder]

42. Neither that doctored photo nor the term "grope" appears in the Buzzfeed link I posted.

[TwilightZone]

43. From the link. Both Ash and Stephanie are on record.

"Ash Carter later said that he laughed about the incident and said that he and Stephanie were great friends with the Bidens:

“Oh, I laughed. I laughed. I laughed. They know each other extremely well, and we’re great friends with the Bidens,” he said in an interview with NBC’s Savannah Guthrie on the “Today” show. Carter was traveling to his high school alma mater for a speech on the future of the armed forces.

Carter’s wife later said she was not offended by the vice president putting his hands on her shoulders and whispering in her ear, but Biden’s actions drew close scrutiny on social media and late-night talk shows."

[WhiskeyGrinder]

44. Fair enough. It's still a bad look, and is one of many examples of him being touchy when the

situation calls for a little more decorum -- and is also an example of how people are willing to make excuses for Joe being Joe. That makes it all the harder for someone to speak out about it, and makes the person who does look like a spoilsport.

[OilemFirchen]

48. That's not a "bad look".

They are close friends. What he did was quite endearing.

Not buying your earnestness at all.

[VoicesAcrossAmerica]

122. The video exists

Listen, as Lucy explains, she didn’t complain. The guy is the Vice President. He is a powerful person. Who was she supposed to complain to?

The multiple videos of him touching women in this manner tell their own story. I see women cringing and attempting to distance themselves from him as politely as possible while smiling, smiling smiling. I see their pained expressions. Are they going to call him creepy and hurt their husband’s or father’s or own chances at a political future? Who would?

[True Blue American]

129. That hand is fake.

[OilemFirchen]

47. Wow. That is creepy.

No, not Biden's behavior, but, rather, the blow-by-blow pictorial with disturbing prurient insinuations.

Yech.

[Cha]

24. Yeah, I know what you mean..

the first thing I thought of when I saw her name.

See post #15..

[guillaumeb]

30. My view is that there are 2 possibilities.

1) She is lying, and
2) She is not.

If she is telling the truth, and if this pattern has been seen before, what does it matter who she supports?

[John Fante]

83. There's also option #3:

Make a mountain out if a molehill to help Bernie.

[guillaumeb]

163. If it happened,

was it truly a small matter?

[John Fante]

165. She herself said it didn't rise to the level of sexual assault.

Which leads me to believe it was even more minor than she's making it out to be.

[guillaumeb]

169. So you question her motivation?

A familiar response in situations like this.

[lapucelle]

99. I'll go with "She is not lying". It is puzzling, however,

that any victim of unwanted touching would support a candidate whose earlier campaign is alleged to have been characterized by a pervasive predatory culture that led to sexual violence and harassment.

[sheshe2]

109. Thread win!

[guillaumeb]

164. If the candidate, Bernie Sanders,

had been the alleged violator, I would agree.

[lapucelle]

168. Flores continued to work on a campaign knowing that discrimination, predation, harassment,

and sexual violence were occurring.

She didn't speak out or get out. Some might say that she protected the candidate's campaign and/or image at the expense of the victims.

To paraphrase Adam Schiff, "Others might think that's OK. I don't."

[guillaumeb]

170. Yes, there have been allegations.

But the difference here, in my view, is that in one case, the candidate is alleged to have behaved badly.
In the other case, it was staffers.

[lapucelle]

172. In my view, if an organization is characterized by a pervasive, predatory culture

that culminates in episodes of harassment and sexual violence that are known to (but ignored by) mid and upper management, then that organization is bereft of leadership.

If victims and their co-workers are reduced to using whistle blower tactics in a last ditch effort to get the abuses addressed in a serious way, then leadership has failed in a way to be disqualifying.

"I was too busy running around to know what was going on in my campaign and my team doesn't respect other people (or my lofty messaging) enough to do the right thing without a watchdog" just doesn't cut it when you're asking voters to hire you as president.

[guillaumeb]

173. Understood. And well argued. eom

[Gothmog]

174. I am good friends with a former sanders supporter named Sarah Slamen

She was the subject of significant harassment by high ups in the sanders campaign https://www.democraticunderground.com/1016224223
Here are some posts about Sarah on DU https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=5207992

Here is a youtube video of Lawrence O'Donnell interviewing Sarah

Sarah was not invited and was excluded from the meeting of sanders workers to discuss the sexual harassment issues. There are still issues with the sanders campaign according to Sarah.

[VoicesAcrossAmerica]

123. There is a photo of him smelling Longoria's hair

This photo appears to be from the same event, and it shows Biden emeshed in Eva Longoria’s hair.

http://www.zimbio.com/photos/Joe+Biden/Eva+Longoria/Joe+Biden+Eva+Longoria+Campaign+Nevada+Democrats/yQubdZkRW8_

[BlueFlorida]

61. +1,000,000 nt

[still_one]

78. His response is in the Huffington Post at the end of the article

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/joe-biden-lucy-flores-kiss_n_5c9e8025e4b0474c08cea7aa

"While Biden built a long record of championing women’s rights while serving as Barack Obama’s vice president, those interactions and his handling of the Anita Hill hearing in 1991 have dogged the presidential hopeful as he gets closer to launching his campaign.


A spokesman for Biden, Bill Russo, said that the former vice president and his staff at the time had no “inkling that Ms. Flores had been at any time uncomfortable, nor do they recall what she describes.”


“But Vice President Biden believes that Ms. Flores has every right to share her own recollection and reflections, and that it is a change for better in our society that she has the opportunity to do so,” Russo continued. “He respects Ms. Flores as a strong and independent voice in our politics and wishes her only the best.”

[roody]

88. Search it on youtube.

[GemDigger]

103. And that! is another chapter in her story. nt

[Otto Lidenbrock]

25. Joe's campaign over before it started

The landscape has changed so much since 2016. Joe is one of the most captivating speakers, he has charisma, he has wit...but he also has baggage.

Him being touchy was already an internet known thing if you look for it. This article will probably sink his campaign because he will have to explain himself if he runs.

I don't think he should run. It will destroy his reputation. Having a long record invites trouble. He's already been hit by pieces regarding comments he made when Gerald Ford was POTUS. Now he is getting me too'ed.

[John Fante]

84. Cool story, bro.

[emulatorloo]

133. They all have baggage. The Republicans will distort and destroy any Dem who's nominated

[BlueStater]

26. Just don't run, Joe.

Put your ego aside and do the right thing for the country. You're a throwback from an era that's mercifully dying and not someone we need leading the Democratic Party into the future.

[BlueStater]

29. I've always found the narrative that only Biden can beat him to be total bullshit.

So I'm not personally worried.

[still_one]

39. If Bernie Sanders doesn't run, then I am all for that, but since Sanders is running, and appointing

people in high positions in his campaign who voted for Jill Stein in 2016, and encouraged others to do so up to the day before the general election, I want him in the race

[True Blue American]

148. Same here

New, fresh ideas.

[Cha]

45. Same goes for

for BS then.

[BlueStater]

59. Fine by me.

I don't think either one of them should run.

[shanny]

119. +1

[Hassler]

32. Sounds serious. As serious as when she approved Assange's theft of HRC emails.

Flexible etchics is never good.

[Socal31]

33. Been waiting for this to start

[enid602]

34. Putin

This whole thing reeks of Putin. I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot of this.

[still_one]

40. I don't think so. This is coming right out of the Sanders scorch and burn polciy the moment he

appointed David Sirota, Nina Turner, and Briahna Joy Gray to high positions in his campaign. All voted for Jill Stein in 2016, and encouraged others to do likewise.

[dalton99a]

64. +1. It's pretty obvious

[R B Garr]

100. Yes, thank you. It's very obvious.

What are the odds that this Sanders supporter saw none of the harassment that many woman complained about in his campaign in 2016, has no input about the women who suffered, but all of a sudden is a champion for us all over something Biden supposedly did from 5 years ago — after Biden had some more good polls today apparently.

[RandySF]

36. I thought she sounded famliar.

Flores endorsed Senator Bernie Sanders in the 2016 US presidential race, saying that "this is about real lives" and that "this is a system that isn’t working for the everyday person. . .it’s one of the reasons why I decided to endorse Bernie Sanders."[27]

On April 13, 2016, Sanders sent out an email to his supporters asking them to split a contribution to his campaign and Flores' congressional campaign. His reason for this request was that EMILY's List, a group that help's elect pro-choice female Democrats to office, including Sanders' opponent Hillary Clinton,[28] endorsed Flores' opponent Susie Lee[29] instead of her. The organization had endorsed her three times previously.[30] Sanders claimed in a fundraising email that the group did not endorse Flores because she had endorsed Sanders,[31] adding in another email that same day to split the contribution 4 ways instead of just 2, adding Zephyr Teachout and Pramila Jayapal.



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucy_Flores

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

80. Ohhhh, so the accuser supported Bernie... well, THAT changes EVERYTHING!! Puhleeease!!

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[Drunken Irishman]

97. lol you don't think the fact that she is a Bernie Sanders supporter isn't relevant at all?

Does it change everything? No. Is it a valid point? Absolutely. Bernie Sanders is a distant second to Joe Biden and could watch his presidential aspirations go up in flames if Biden enters the race, so, it IS relevant that one of his biggest supporters, someone who also advocated for the hacking of Hillary Clinton's e-mails in 2016, is now accusing Biden of lowkey sexual assault nearly five years after an incident she hasn't discussed at any point since.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

125. Not this again... we should encourage all women to come forward AND let's give Joe a fair hearing.

The fact that Flores, or any woman, waited to come forward is IRRELEVANT... anyone remember our Heroine Ms. Blase Ford?? #MeToo

If she shared her experience with others, at the time of the incident, that would be more relevant. I think we should also wait to hear from Joe, before reaching any conclusions. A fair hearing, unlike what Al Franken received, is in order.

As a Bernie supporter, I hope Joe is innocent of the charges and that he runs... he would add greatly to the debate and, as one of the more moderate candidates, he would contrast nicely with Bernie and his more progressive policies. Despite those differences, after Bernie and Elizabeth, Joe has the 3rd best chance of defeating that tRumpster fire currently occupying the Oval Office. May the best candidate win!!


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[Drunken Irishman]

150. What charges?

You hope he's innocent of charges? Are you suggesting he should be charged with anything?

And I agree, women should be heard but we also need to be careful in how we position ourselves. Context matters, tho. The fact this person waited until Biden was running for president and was a threat to their candidate should be addressed. Does that make her claim invalid? No. Is it something that shouldn't be dismissed? Absolutely.

[WeekiWater]

107. Look at Sirota's stealth campaign.

It does matter. That said, it can’t simply be used to dismiss something outright.

[jezebel321]

37. UGGHHHHHHHHHH!!! This story hurts my heart. nt

[stonecutter357]

38. #facknews !

[Andy823]

46. If this is true

It's better to address it now than later if he were to get the nomination.

[LenaBaby61]

53. It's better to address it now than later if he were to get the nomination.

Doesn't matter when he addresses it. He's not tRump, and he may have some big time difficulty with this. It's unfortunate, because we have a sexually-harassing, sexually abusing hog in the White House, and the corporate media may latch onto Biden with this like they latched onto Hillary with "But her emails."

[DemocratSinceBirth]

49. The optics are terrible.

[madville]

54. There any video from the event yet?

It was just in 2014, there could be a recording somewhere. Witnesses? Was this on stage, seated in chairs in the audience, behind a curtain off stage?

Let's see how the MSM reacts with coverage. This could be a huge boost to Bernie since he is the most popular second choice among Biden voters in the polling up until now.

[still_one]

71. Here is Biden's response

A spokesman for Biden, Bill Russo, said that the former vice president and his staff at the time had no “inkling that Ms. Flores had been at any time uncomfortable, nor do they recall what she describes.”

“But Vice President Biden believes that Ms. Flores has every right to share her own recollection and reflections, and that it is a change for better in our society that she has the opportunity to do so,” Russo continued. “He respects Ms. Flores as a strong and independent voice in our politics and wishes her only the best.”

[VoicesAcrossAmerica]

124. Photo of him smelling Eva Longoria's Hair from same event

http://www.zimbio.com/photos/Joe+Biden/Eva+Longoria/Joe+Biden+Eva+Longoria+Campaign+Nevada+Democrats/yQubdZkRW8_

[Luvapottamus]

152. LOL

It's good to get these problems out of the way early.

[Rhiannon12866]

162. Well, she does advertise shampoo...

[RGinNJ]

56. Just damn.

[BlueFlorida]

58. This explains it all

Flores endorsed Senator Bernie Sanders in the 2016 US presidential race, saying that "this is about real lives" and that "this is a system that isn’t working for the everyday person. . .it’s one of the reasons why I decided to endorse Bernie Sanders."

https://www.iagreetosee.com/portfolio/nevada-congressional-candidate-lucy-flores-endorses-bernie-sanders/

She is not credible and this is just plain ratfucking David Sirota style.

On April 13, 2016, Sanders sent out an email to his supporters asking them to split a contribution to his campaign and Flores' congressional campaign. His reason for this request was that EMILY's List, a group that help's elect pro-choice female Democrats to office, including Sanders' opponent Hillary Clinton, endorsed Flores' opponent Susie Lee.

https://www.emilyslist.org/news/entry/emilys-list-endorses-susie-lee-for-congress-in-nevadas-fourth-congressional

[pnwest]

63. This is not news, this creeper behavior is

known about him- kinda his signature move. There’s a well-known photo of him using that exact move on Hillary. Google image search Biden Touching Women.

[seaglass]

65. I know Lucy Flores is/was a Sanders supporter and I am the farthest thing from a Sanders supporter

but she has been consistent in addressing sexual harassment/sexism etc. including against Sanders staffer Arturo Carmona. In addition Biden has a pattern of inappropriate touching.

Could her coming out with the story benefit Bernie? Maybe. Doesn't mean it isn't true. I believe her.

[BlueFlorida]

66. Mediaite has a clear bias

as shown on this graphic from Media Bias Factcheck site:

[stillcool]

67. again?

I didn't buy it the last time .

[Mike Nelson]

68. Some people are...

… too "touchy" with others... quick to have physical contact... The "big slow kiss" is way over the line, though... that part really bugs me... it's not just too physical, it's gross... if she's not misinterpreting…

[still_one]

70. Here is the response

A spokesman for Biden, Bill Russo, said that the former vice president and his staff at the time had no “inkling that Ms. Flores had been at any time uncomfortable, nor do they recall what she describes.”

“But Vice President Biden believes that Ms. Flores has every right to share her own recollection and reflections, and that it is a change for better in our society that she has the opportunity to do so,” Russo continued. “He respects Ms. Flores as a strong and independent voice in our politics and wishes her only the best.”

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/joe-biden-lucy-flores-kiss_n_5c9e8025e4b0474c08cea7aa

[Cha]

73. Wow.. is there a link

for that, still_one? I've been hoping Biden would give a response.. asap.

Mahalo

[still_one]

75. It is Huffington Post, they list it at the very end of the article

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/joe-biden-lucy-flores-kiss_n_5c9e8025e4b0474c08cea7aa

"While Biden built a long record of championing women’s rights while serving as Barack Obama’s vice president, those interactions and his handling of the Anita Hill hearing in 1991 have dogged the presidential hopeful as he gets closer to launching his campaign.


A spokesman for Biden, Bill Russo, said that the former vice president and his staff at the time had no “inkling that Ms. Flores had been at any time uncomfortable, nor do they recall what she describes.”


“But Vice President Biden believes that Ms. Flores has every right to share her own recollection and reflections, and that it is a change for better in our society that she has the opportunity to do so,” Russo continued. “He respects Ms. Flores as a strong and independent voice in our politics and wishes her only the best.”

[Cha]

86. Thank You!

[still_one]

87. The twitter feed gives more complete statement

Link to tweet

[Cha]

91. I read it.. thanks.

I'm skeptical.. I've seen her gaslit tweets.

[still_one]

92. so am I.

[still_one]

82. In the original OP they also provide comments. Click on twitter link for complete comment

Link to tweet

[still_one]

85. Click on the twitter link below for the complete comment

Link to tweet

[Tipperary]

76. I would feel just a tad bit better if he were to say "that did not happen."

Pretty sure I would remember if I had kissed someone on the back of the head at a public event.

[McCamy Taylor]

77. This proves that Russia is scared of Biden. The first major candidate to get kompromat.

[still_one]

93. Not only Russia, perhaps another campaign is also concerned about Biden's stance in the polls

[Thekaspervote]

108. +1000

[Renew Deal]

95. I've been telling people this would happen

He is from a different era. It will not play well in 2020.

[shanny]

120. +1

[Mme. Defarge]

101. Boy, Barack Obama sure had lousy judgment

when he picked Joe Biden as a running mate.

The Republican scorched earth campaign to take out the strongest Democratic presidential candidates apparently has scored its first win. And, by impugning Obama’s judgment, it couldn’t have been bigger.

Who’s next, I wonder?

[treestar]

110. The right has been trying to make this a thing for some time

Using instances that occurred in public and on film. Most of which look harmless. You can see they trying to whip it up.

[WeekiWater]

112. Biden and Sanders have issues few want to address.

People here don’t want to know about Biden. It’s close to an echo chamber. It’s for good reason. We all know a Biden and fully understand that his intentions are not only good, they are old school admirable... in one of the most prevalent sexist manners that can be found in society. That is the part many are going to have difficulty saying.

Most all of what is out there is Biden trying to support and encourage women. He is doing so in a way that needs to end. It’s not how to either comfort or encourage a woman making her way. Act like their colleagues, not their daddy.

Sanders rape fantasy is simply sick and will immediately end his shot at the Presidency once the commercials start running. We don’t have the same base Republicans do. Biden’s problem is going to hurt him but he might be able to overcome it. Most people fully understand old school sexism. Good intentions with a side of blind ignorance.

Simply saying something isn’t true, when it blatantly is, won’t make it go away. Reality will end up slapping you in the face at a future point in time.

[brooklynite]

115. Did the people questioning Ms. Flores' veracity or claiming it's a Putin/Sanders hit job...

...take a MINUTE to research this?

Lucy Flores was a DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE for Lt. Governor. Biden was CAMPAIGNING FOR HER. You can suggest that he didn't see his actions as intrusive or inappropriate, but questioning whether it happened shows intentional ignorance of the facts.

[True Blue American]

128. No, it is

Miss Flores version of what happened, many years later after she accepted his support.

I smell an Al Franken here.

[brooklynite]

130. Again, what reason would she have to make this up?

[True Blue American]

131. The company she keeps.

Next question?

[Uncle Joe]

136. So any woman that supports Bernie Sanders is suspect?

[True Blue American]

138. With the staff he has and the dirty tricks

They are known for I would have to say yes.

[Uncle Joe]

143. You have a mighty big brush.

[True Blue American]

144. I was aked my opinion,gave it, based on what I know

You disagree, that is fine but you are giving your opinion,too.

I have not decided my candidate because I think it is much too early to decide on one person.

Your choice, my choice. Makes the world go around.

[Uncle Joe]

145. Well it seems to me that your opinion of "yes, any woman that supports Bernie Sanders is suspect"

by logical extension undermines a woman's right of political expression.

Of course that's just my opinion.

[True Blue American]

147. I will give you another opinion

I do not want a candidate that is well over 70 at the head of our ticket,period!

And I am old enough to say that. I want a young,vibrant person at the top of the ticket, also second in command!

I am sick of the tired,old ideas of the tired old crap! We need change, just like what we did in the 2016 election. And in 2008!

I also hope we clean out the Senate of the deadheads there. Past 65/70? Time to retire!

[Uncle Joe]

149. Well that's the wonderful thing about America, everyone is entitled to their own political opinion,

man or woman.

[emulatorloo]

134. I believe her story is true. I don't believe Biden is a pervert or molester

The Republicans smear machine will do character assasinations of all our candidates

[hughee99]

132. I think there are two issues here. First, is this a real story or is she making it up.

I think she seems pretty credible, she's a Dem, and she's not doing this anonymously. There can certainly be a debate over whether this is inappropriate or not (it seems like it is to me).

The second question is if any particular group might have a vested interest in pushing this story, or perhaps may have even pushed her to tell it. I would suggest that every Dem candidate has an interest in keeping Biden out of the primary. I don't know if any would go to this length to try to keep him out, but it wouldn't be a shocker to find that someone in one of those campaigns thought this was a good idea. It could also have nothing to do with any of those campaigns.

I have no idea why Putin would want to keep Biden out and get involved this early. The danger of being caught is far more problematic than the benefit, it would seem.

In any case, though, we should be prepared for every negative story about every candidate in the Dem primary to be blamed on Putin by someone. Some people seem to think just calling something "Putin's work" allows them pretend the story isn't true at all.

[madville]

135. Taking Biden out also helps Trump

Biden polls the best against Trump just about everywhere. It is in Trump's best interest for Biden not to run. Sanders usually polls around 2nd best against Trump, if they can get Biden to not run then the focus will turn to Bernie.

I think we are going to see the frontrunners get attacked throughout the whole process in order to create chaos in the primary.

[hughee99]

137. Taking Biden out here helps everyone in the Dem Primary too.

But if Putin had the ability to “take Biden out” (politically), it would help Trump far more to take him out Mid primary when Dem primary voters had already started to dig in, and throw the whole thing into chaos.

[madville]

140. I don't think Putin needs to do anything, we are going to eat our own

This primary is going to get brutal, especially if no clear frontrunner can get established.

[hughee99]

142. I don't think he does either. I think the carnage has started already.

The question is, will the field be narrowed down sufficiently before December, or will it continue into the actual primaries. After the last primary, I suggested that the “people behind the scenes” would make an effort to make sure there was one clear front runner before the first vote was cast. They absolutely don’t want a contentious primary again, they don’t want primary voters fighting with each other, and they don’t want anyone claiming their candidate only lost because the party “rigged” something. They need to be sure there’s no PUMAs at the end of this cycle. Then they can focus on capturing independents in the GE. If they can do that, almost any candidate in this primary can beat Trump.

[madville]

146. I feel like we are heading to a perfect storm

Where we will have four candidates all stuck at 20% support through Super Tuesday and no one willing to bow out for the good of the party and I wouldn't blame them in that scenario.

[hughee99]

151. I think that's the scenario they fear most, and it's certainly possible. Nt

[True Blue American]

139. We are

And it will get worse after we get a candidate.

Attacking each other is Trump at his best.

I am not with this. It is gaslighting by one of our own.

[George II]

155. She also happens to be an original member of the Board of Our Revolution!!

PRESS RELEASE

Our Revolution Announces Formation of Board

WASHINGTON -- Our Revolution on Monday announced the formation of its board. The diverse coalition of eleven former elected officials, organizational leaders and grassroots activists join the board to continue the work they started as volunteers and surrogates for Sen. Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign, mobilizing progressives across the country to transform American politics......

Full board list below:

Nina Turner - Fmr. Ohio State Senator
Deborah Parker - Native American Leader
Ben Jealous - Civil Rights Leader
Jim Hightower - Political Leader, National Radio Commentator & Writer
Jim Zogby - Arab American Human Rights Leader
Huck Gutman - Former Chief of Staff for Senator Bernie Sanders
Jane Kleeb - Environmental Activist
Lucy Flores - Fmr. Nevada Assemblywoman
Larry Cohen - Labor
Catalina Velasquez - Immigration, Reproductive Justice and Trans Queer Liberation Activist
Shailene Woodley - Actress and Environmental Activist

https://ourrevolution.com/press/our-revolution-announces-formation-of-board/

[brooklynite]

157. As much as I don't care for OR's politics, are you aware of any instance of them lying...

...sufficient to ruin someone's reputation?

[George II]

158. They ran some pretty sleazy campaigns in the Democratic primaries last year, particularly....

...against Lizzie Fletcher and Sri Kulkarni in Texas.

[Demsrule86]

160. Only when their lips are moving,,.terrible group,. She is a Sanders supporter

using me to politically is horrible.

[David__77]

141. She said he touched her shoulders and kissed the back of her head.

This story doesn’t have much impact on my assessment of Joe Biden.

I wonder what motivated her to share her story.

[George II]

159. A few minutes after the alleged incident:

[Gothmog]

166. From the sponsor of the event

Link to tweet

[samnsara]

167. im sick of insecure ppl who go out of their way to get a little attention....

..this will NEVER change my mind about Joe.....This shouldnt even have been posted on DU imho

[Goodheart]

171. I agree.

My big question: did Ms. Flores tell Mr. Biden right then and there that his behavior was inappropriate? Did she object to it? If not, then WHY THE FUCK is she telling US now?

And before somebody pipes in trying to equate her silence with Dr. Ford's, just STUFF that nonsense before you lay finger to keyboard. It's NOTHING like that. A rape victim makes her attacker QUITE aware in the moment that she is repulsed and terrorized.