Flores said she decided to go public after witnessing how Biden’s public image has remained largely unaffected by a number of similar stories over the years. Indeed, it is easy to find photos of Biden appearing overly handsy with women (and a few men), as well as hours of video footage on C-Span and across the Internet. In spite of the occasional commentary about Biden’s behavior, there has never been much of an outcry. “Despite the steady stream of pictures and the occasional article, Biden retained his title of America’s Favorite Uncle,” Flores wrote. “On occasion that title was downgraded to America’s Creepy Uncle but that in and of itself implied a certain level of acceptance. . . . In this case, it shows a lack of empathy for the women and young girls whose space he is invading, and ignores the power imbalance that exists between Biden and the women he chooses to get cozy with.”

In a statement, a spokesperson for Biden said that neither Biden nor his staff had “an inkling that Ms. Flores had been at any time uncomfortable, nor do they recall what she describes,” but did not refute her story. “But Vice President Biden believes that Ms. Flores has every right to share her own recollection and reflections, and that it is a change for better in our society that she has the opportunity to do so.”)

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