Before you accept Flores's story about Biden, you need to read this.

[highplainsdem]

96. Simple concept: Some people are huggers, and some aren't. And politicians in general

tend toward open displays of friendliness and support. They're have a really hard time campaigning if they didn't.

The same is true of people in show business, who make open displays of emotions. And of athletes.

Again, I think Flores's own description of what happened indicates she would have appeared to be suffering from nervousness, something like stage fright, right before speaking that day. Biden was closest to her, most likely to notice, most likely to want to reassure her.

And IMO putting his hands on her shoulders and kissing the top of her head would send a message of reassurance more quickly that asking if she was nervous, which would have been more likely to make her feel nervous.

FWIW, I came from a family of non-huggers, and when I was younger I felt uncomfortable around people who could show affection and reassurance with hugs and touches and kisses.

But I never assumed my discomfort meant there was something wrong with them. I didn't think they needed to change to be like me.