Former Vice President Joe Biden made Nevada state legislator Lucy Flores feel “uneasy, gross, and confused” at a campaign rally in 2014, according to an essay published by The Cut. Flores explains in her essay that Biden came up from behind her, smelled her hair and kissed the back of her head.
“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,” Flores said.
Shortly after publication of Flores' article, Bill Russo, Biden’s spokesperson, released a statement in which he claimed neither he nor Biden ever noticed Flores might have felt uncomfortable around Biden. That being said, he also clarified Biden strongly believes Flores should have the right to share these allegations with the public and he is pleased to see a change in our society that gives her this opportunity.
Biden himself, however, stayed silent on the issue until he released a statement Sunday morning. He did not deny any of the claims made by Flores, but he did attempt to clarify his lack of intent. He explained that in his political and public life, he has “offered countless handshakes, hugs, expressions of affection, support and comfort.” He went on to explain he never believed any of these acts were inappropriate but is happy to listen respectfully if it is suggested that they were. At the end of his statement, he stressed the fact that he never meant to make anyone feel uncomfortable.
As of right now, the allegations remain a “he said, she said” situation, and it is still unclear whether or not this type of behavior is a pattern for Biden. Regardless of the validity behind Flores’ claim, the rest of America and I would have liked to hear an apology from Biden – not just a clarification of his intentions.
When I first read Biden’s statement, I was actually pretty pleased. After I thought over the situation, though, I realized I shouldn’t be complacent with what he said and neither should Flores. I realized after rereading his response that I only found it acceptable because I have become desensitized to inadequate responses on the part of our male politicians.
In 2016, I saw Donald Trump get elected into office after he dismissed numerous sexual assault allegations with substantial merit behind them. Throughout his time in office, allegations continue to roll in and he has continued to ignore them and gaslight the women who have come forward. In 2018, I watched the Senate turn a blind eye and confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, despite his utter disrespect and grotesque behavior in response to the allegations brought forth by Christine Blasey Ford. Neither of these men apologized, in fact, they further belittled the women who came forward.
This type of response has become so normal that even Biden’s lackluster attempt at self-preservation almost passed as a sincere apology. We have forgotten what it means to be sincerely apologetic. It is important to note that the allegations against Biden are far less severe and extreme than those against Trump and Kavanaugh, but that doesn’t make them any more acceptable. Whether or not Biden’s intentions were crude, the public and Flores deserve an apology, not a defense.
Abigail Miller is a UF political science and journalism senior. Her column appears on Mondays.
FILE - In this March 12, 2019, file photo, former Vice President Joe Biden speaks to the International Association of Firefighters at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill in Washington. Biden says he does not recall kissing a Nevada political candidate on the back of her head in 2014. The allegation was made in a New York Magazine article written by Lucy Flores, a former Nevada state representative and the 2014 Democratic nominee for Nevada lieutenant governor. Flores says Biden’s behavior “made me feel uneasy, gross, and confused.”(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)
