During a campaign event in Texas, Joe Biden told a 10-year-old girl that "I’ll bet you’re as bright as you're good-looking" before taking her by the hand to present her to the press and standing behind her with his hands on her shoulders.

The former vice-president was speaking at an American Federation of Teachers town hall in Houston on Tuesday when he took a question from a young girl, who identified herself as Bibi and said she was 10. Reading from a piece of paper, she read her question: "We are the United States of America not the divided states of America. I bring this up because Texas has many ethnic groups living here. What do you intend to do to project a message of unity because of current message we are receiving and dividing people?"

Biden grinned and said: "You are very good. How old are you?" He then told here that "When I was your age, kiddo, at 10 years old, I stuttered so badly I could hardly talk." After talking about how his stutter was "incredibly debilitating," he recommended people watch "The King's Speech" and hailing the girl's courage. He then gave a nearly four-minute answer about why he was running for president, white nationalism, and immigration.

He then turned to the girl and said: "I'll tell you what, honey. What I'm going to do, if you give me an address, I'm going to write you a longer answer and tell you the exact things I would do, OK? OK? Promise? I’ll bet you’re as bright as you're good-looking. I'll tell you, I'll tell you what. What's your favorite subject?"

When her teacher said "journalism," he joked: "Oh! Whoa! I'd better me more circumspect in my answers." Taking the girl by the hand, he took her to the back of the hall and indicated the reporters: "Washington Post, New York Times, all those guys. You go back." He stood behind the girl, keeping his hands on her shoulders as he spoke: "By the way, that's one of the things that's dangerous. They'll tell you, I'm not always their favorite subject but the truth of the matter is the reason we are who we is called a free press, continue to denigrate..."

After Biden returned to the front, the announcer told the girl: "You're going to get an internship from the Washington Post, the New York Times, MSNBC." Biden interjected, "If that doesn't work, come work for me."

Biden has faced repeated scrutiny over his habit of touching and getting very close to women and girls. Lucy Flores, a former Nevada lawmaker, said while Biden was campaigning for her while she was running for lieutenant governor, he smelled her hair and gave her a kiss on the back of the head. She described the incident as "awkward and disturbing." At least seven other women have accused him of touching them inappropriately.

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At the start of his campaign, Biden released a video promising to be more mindful of women's personal space. He said: 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."