As Twitchy told you, Joe Biden tried to turn his touchy-feely style into a punchline at his speech today:

At start of his address to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Joe Biden jokes, “I just want you to know, I had permission to hug Lonnie.” https://t.co/Hvgxjgk9fw pic.twitter.com/19rJgEA1L5 — ABC News (@ABC) April 5, 2019

Biden calls kids up on stage, puts his arm around a boy and says "by the way, he gave me permission to touch him" pic.twitter.com/XkfrgtwYC8 — Yahoo News (@YahooNews) April 5, 2019

For the record, Lucy Flores, one of the women who has accused Biden of inappropriate touching, was not amused:

It’s clear @JoeBiden hasn’t reflected at all on how his inappropriate and unsolicited touching made women feel uncomfortable. To make light of something as serious as consent degrades the conversation women everywhere are courageously trying to have. — Lucy Flores (@LucyFlores) April 5, 2019

It seems pretty safe to say that Joe Biden’s non-apology apology isn’t going to fly with Flores.

His comments today are unbelievable. Thank you for speaking out. — Jennifer Pope (@jenjunum) April 5, 2019

Saw him on tv laughing?! Couldn't believe it ? — Paula Valles (@PaulaValles11) April 5, 2019

He had the opportunity and the platform to SHOW that he learned. He failed badly. Very disappointing. — Joye Chippenham (@Joyechippenham) April 5, 2019

I was thinking that pretty much as I heard him say it……he has not and has no intention on being contrite for his behavior with women and young girls. I'm still waiting for the mm to address the GIRLS who tried to flee. I'm horrified by the lesson to girls today. This IS OK? — Revenge of Confefe LaFlame (@hotohkepohkeso) April 5, 2019

Also, how did this become about hugging instead of the actual charges? — Shana Lin (@ShanaLin4) April 5, 2019

Minimization. It’s one of the attacks I talked about in my essay. Pundits didn’t help by dismissing his inappropriate behavior as “joe being joe” “he’s a hugger” (also mentioned in my essay) — Lucy Flores (@LucyFlores) April 5, 2019

A lot of angry Biden fans wouldn’t mind if Flores would dismiss herself:

Your 15 minutes are up. — Emily Fishbein (@Emfish28) April 5, 2019

I think your 15 minutes were up yesterday ?? — Bianca Devones (@BiancaDevones) April 5, 2019

We get it, Lucy. Sorry he traumatized you with a kiss on the head. Thx for enlightening us…now your 2 mins of fame are up. Bernie thanks you. — Jeff Baker (@Jeffrbak) April 5, 2019

Girl bye we know Joe meant no harm he’s a kind man, he didn’t sexually attack you and the fact you waited until he was running for president with this when he was VP for 8 years says a lot about you & your character go complain about Trump he’s the one sexually assaulting women pic.twitter.com/xQNMvfUGe1 — BadBoiArty ? (@CraveBadboiarty) April 5, 2019

It’s clear you wanted national attention. Congratulations! By the way, why didn’t you speak out even half as vociferously as now when Trump was caught bragging on audio about how he can “grab ‘em by the pussy” ?! No need to wonder why people are questioning your authenticity. — Alexander J Groppe (@agroppe1) April 5, 2019

Enough already! Going on and on…is it political? He said what he had to say. Just drop it and let's move on. — Glo (@Glo60677730) April 5, 2019

Why didn't you tell him then that he made you uncomfortable when he came out to campaign for you? Please stay in your lane and stop this unnecessary attack. He didn't grope you or sexually assaulted you. Let this attack of yours end pls and move on. — Lara® (@lrsanon) April 5, 2019

Enough!!!! Your comments will only help re-elect Trump. Sometime you just have to move the spot light away from yourself and be helpful to everyone else ? — Yron (@FREED0Mwarrior) April 5, 2019

Oh please… Your just looking for attention. All of a sudden how he interacted with you was inappropriate? How many years later? Your probably on the payroll of one of Donald Trumps companies, smh. The interaction wasn’t sexual in nature, but you felt it was inappropriate? Smh. — Marco Polo (@MrGoodMoney35) April 5, 2019

Was it sexual harassment? No! So what’s the problem? This will only help re-elect Trump. You felt uncomfortable. Ok! Can we move on? So we can’t hug today or touch shoulders. As a 30 something year old female, this type of discussion only minimizes the actual #metoo movement. ??‍♀️ — Angela Antonini (@AngieA1980) April 5, 2019

We reckon that prominent #MeToo torchbearers like Alyssa Milano minimizing the allegations against Joe Biden — who has a long, publicly documented history of touching women and girls inappropriately — do a lot more to minimize the #MeToo movement.

Attempts like this from the media to run interference for Biden don’t do #MeToo any favors, either:

I don't think it was defused pic.twitter.com/RnYckQvwyD — David Rutz (@DavidRutz) April 5, 2019

One thing’s for sure: If Biden had an (R) after his name, the people directing their anger at Flores would be singing a very different tune.