The following is not meant to support or defend Biden. It is, however, prompted by the accusations.

It’s an impossible standard one has to live to if yesterday’s actions, accepted at the time, are judged by today’s rules and values, and even one small “mistake” from the past can disqualify an otherwise qualified individual.

Too many women, using today’s rules, want to condemn men for perceived transgressions that took place in the past. Joe Biden is one man whose actions are being judged according to today’s rules. Some prominent women refuse to accept that his intent was benign or even that his actions, taken in context, are benign. They condemn him, saying he should not run for president in 2020.

It’s an impossible standard that I doubt any man can meet.

I wonder if anyone, man or woman has lived such an exemplary life that they have done things in the past that does not run afoul of today’s standards.

Too, for years, my personal space did not allow me to be comfortable if people I did not know well touched or hugged me (usually women). But, now, I’m a part of a group where touching and hugging is very common. Particularly by women. And, I’ll admit, with the “me-to” movement, the touching amuses me for the irony it presents, particularly when I am touched on the shoulder and the woman touching me drags her fingers across my shoulder and the back of my neck as she passed by.

With respect to Flores complaint, I wonder if Flores can live up to the standard she is claiming Biden violated. Or, if he condemnation has more to do with her support of Sanders. The photo below certainly makes me wonder.

No one, and I mean no one, cannibalizes their own like Democrats. They'll find damning flaws in every candidate they run to the podium and then wonder why they lost again.

Republicans are far superior at PR. They aren't even in the same weight class.

He's too un-cool for school.

I'm always cautious about passing judgement on these things, as I always have to wonder whose 'plumbers' are trying to 'set up' who?

I have met avuncular but overly familiar, personal-space-invading types like Biden. They tend to be equal opportunity and non-sexual, and make me uncomfortable in the same way that your aunt -- yeah, THAT one -- that used to come in for the unwanted cheek-pinch made you uncomfortable as a child.

I agree that this is probably non-predatory with a dash of unconscious, "he's a product of his times" male privilege thrown in. It's not disqualifying, technically, but it's not a good look, either. He'll get creamed from both sides over Anita Hill, slobbery back-of-the-head kisses and a lot of other stuff. He's a walking gaffe machine, and not in a lovable way.

The notion that Biden is this elder statesman who will save us all from Trump with his old white guy demographic is nonsense. He's a backward step to centrist corporate Democratic governance, which is why we're in this pickle to being with.

He should give it a rest and quit while he's behind. He did this same coy "hesitant hero" thing in '16 and I gave him a pass because he was grieving a dead son right when I was. But come on. We have a whole raft of supposedly "woke" Democratic candidates, even a couple of authentic ones who didn't just find a sudden affinity for universal health care or a sudden sense of urgency about climate change. We need someone with both real and perceived fresh ideas, not the same old incrementalism that is already making the natives restless.

Wow, I guess I'm guilty of trying to be nice also. I do hugs and arm touching. Am I being to forward?