Former vice president and 2020 frontrunner Joe Biden is a male feminist icon who has done more to eliminate the scourge of manspreading than most "real feminists" could ever hope to achieve in their lifetimes. And yet he's struggled to shed his notorious reputation as a handsy, feely creep.
Biden has already apologized for his decades-long track record of squeezing and fondling men and women of all ages. "So I invaded your space, and I'm sorry this happened, but I'm not sorry in the sense that I think I did anything that was intentionally designed to do anything wrong or be inappropriate," Biden said during an appearance on The View in April.
The former veep, who is currently leading the 2020 Democratic field by double digits, has vowed to do better, and to be "more cognizant" of personal space. Unfortunately, it would appear that Uncle Joe just can't quit his creepy ways. Campaigning for president means interacting with lots of people, young and old, which for Biden is the equivalent of Anthony Weiner working as a Snapchat moderator. It was only a matter of time before he fell off the wagon.
In a somewhat odd moment at tonight's AFT town hall, Biden tells a 10-year-old girl, 'I’ll bet you’re as bright as you are good-looking." He takes her over to the assembled reporters, then stands behind her and puts his hands on her shoulders while he's talking.
— Felicia Sonmez (@feliciasonmez) May 28, 2019
This is probably why Biden's campaign staff has decided to schedule fewer public events compared to rival candidates. He already enjoys near-universal name recognition—or at the very least, people know him as the guy who stood next to Barack Obama—so there is little to be gained on that front. Uncle Joe, who will turn 77 in November, also appears to be suffering from a degenerative speech impediment, so it's probably wise to keep him out of the spotlight until he inevitably wins the nomination.