Former Vice President Joe Biden released a video on Twitter Wednesday in which he responded to women who have recently come forward to say he had touched them in ways that felt inappropriate or made them uncomfortable. He did not apologize, as some have urged him to do.
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 (@JoeBiden) April 3, 2019
“Social norms are changing,” Biden wrote in a tweet, which was paired with a two-minute video. “I understand that, and I’ve heard what these women are saying.”
In the video, Biden, who is considering a presidential bid, said that in the “coming month” he expects to talk about many issues, but added, “Today I want to talk about gestures of support and encouragement that I’ve made to women and some men that have made them uncomfortable.”
He said that throughout a long career in politics he has taken photos with supporters, shaken hands, offered hugs, and put his hands on people’s shoulders to offer comfort and encouragement.
“It’s the way I’ve always been and it’s the way I’ve tried to show I care about them and I’m listening,” he said, adding, “The boundaries of protecting personal space have been reset. And I get it.”
Biden pledged to be more mindful of people’s space, adding that he knows that is his responsibility.
“I’ve worked my whole life to empower women. I’ve worked my whole life to prevent abuse,” he said. “So that idea that I can’t adjust to the fact that personal space is important, more important that it’s ever been, it’s just not thinkable. I will. I will.”
The response comes after four women have come forward over the past several days to say Biden touched them in ways that made them feel uncomfortable. None of them accused him of sexual misconduct.
Lucy Flores, who once ran to be Nevada’s lieutenant governor, wrote in New York Magazine that at one of her campaign events in 2014, Biden kissed her on the head. A woman named Amy Lappos told The Hartford Courant that when she met Biden, he put his hand on her head and pulled their faces so close their noses touched. Lappos said she was worried Biden was going to kiss her, though he did not.
On Tuesday night, The New York Times published the stories of two more women, Caitlyn Caruso and D.J. Hill, who met Biden at separate events. Caruso said Biden put his hand on her thigh and didn’t move it when she squirmed, and Hill told the paper he put his hand on her shoulder and then began to run his hand down her back.
Biden’s handsy, familiar conduct with women has been widely known for years. There are many photos of Biden touching women on the shoulders or whispering in their ears. When former North Dakota Sen. Heidi Heitkamp was sworn in, Biden posed for a photo with her and made a crude joke, saying, “Spread your legs: You’re going to be frisked.”
As Biden has mulled a bid for president, talk has intensified over his treatment of women. Biden was chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee in 1991 when Clarence Thomas was confirmed for a seat on the Supreme Court amid allegations of sexual harassment. Last month, Biden said he wishes he “could have done something” to prevent attacks by his fellow lawmakers on Anita Hill, the attorney who testified against Thomas, her former boss. At the time, he failed to allow three women to testify in support of Hill.