Former Vice President Joe Biden has been accused by a second woman, Amy Lappos, of unwanted touching.
Biden allegedly pulled Lappos in close, first grabbing her neck, and rubbed her nose with his own.
The accusation comes as Biden is mulling a run for the White House.
Lappos made the accusation through The Hartford Courant in Connecticut. The incident allegedly took place during a fundraiser in 2009 in Greenwich, Connecticut.
At the time, Biden was serving in office as the vice president.
However, Lappos said the incident wasn’t “sexual.” She did think, at the time, that Biden was going to kiss her.
Related: Why ‘Joe Biden Being Joe Biden’ Doesn’t Work in the #MeToo Era
Lappos was then an aide to Congressman Jim Himes. The accusation marks the second accusation of inappropriate touching in recent days.
In a statement released on Sunday, Biden said, “In my many years on the campaign trail and in public life, I have offered countless handshakes, hugs, expressions of affection, support and comfort. And not once — never — did I believe I acted inappropriately. If it is suggested I did so, I will listen respectfully. But it was never my intention.”
Amy Lappos said #Biden reached out with both hands, grabbed her by the neck and the side of the face, rubbed noses and talked to her. https://t.co/GeHaFXksQt
— WTNH News 8 (@WTNH) April 1, 2019
Sources close to Biden have been reporting that the accusations won’t derail his potential presidential campaign run.
However, the accusations could damage his prospects. Biden has long been the frontrunner in the Iowa polls, but voters may reject a candidate who is dealing with accusations of inappropriate touching.
Then again, President Donald Trump was able to secure the highest office after facing numerous accusations of sexual assault. Trump was also recorded making lewd sexual comments, remarks his supporters dismissed as locker-room talk.
Related: Biden Responds, Says He Doesn’t Recall a Woman Being Uncomfortable
At some point in April, Biden is expected to announce whether he will run for office.
Amy Lappos believes that not only should Biden step aside — but that all male candidates should as well.
Brian Brinker is a political consultant and has an M.A. in global affairs from American University. This OpsLens piece is used by permission.
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