Alyssa Milano, Meghan McCain support Joe Biden after he's accused of inappropriate behavior

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Alyssa Milano and Meghan McCain are offering support to former Vice President Joe Biden, who now stands accused of inappropriate behavior by two women.

Monday, the Hartford Courant reported Amy Lappos of Connecticut said Biden, a potential 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, touched her and rubbed his nose on hers during a 2009 political fundraiser in Greenwich.

The accusation comes days after Lucy Flores, a former member of the Nevada Legislature, accused Biden of "demeaning and disrespectful" behavior when he allegedly kissed the back of her head a first-person published by The Cut.

Biden responded to Flores' allegations saying he does not believe he ever "acted inappropriately. If it is suggested I did so, I will listen respectfully. But it was never my intention."

Milano, who helped kick-start the #MeToo movement started by activist Tarana Burke, posted a series of tweets Monday describing Biden as the man she knows him to be.

"I am proud to call Joe Biden a friend," she began in the thread, sharing a photo of the two. "He has been a leader and a champion on fighting violence against women for many years, and I have been fortunate to accompany him to events with survivors where he has listened to their stories, empathized with them, and comforted them."

https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/celebrity/alyssa-milano-meghan-mccain-support-joe-biden-after-hes-accused-of-inappropriate-behavior/ar-BBVwOKl?li=BBnb7Kz

[LongtimeAZDem]

1. They're gonna crucify Milano for that. :(

[hlthe2b]

2. Well, "THEY" are destroying the "me too" movement that Milano helped to create

She undoubtedly sees this and is trying to correct course in a movement that is being pushed off the cliff.

If those who go after Milano really think that THIS is the direction they want to go, then I divorce myself of them and their not-so-benign agenda.

[Gothmog]

3. Here are some great quotes from Biden supporters

I love some of these quotes https://www.politico.com/f/?id=00000169-de7b-dc59-a16d-feff47c00000

“Let me state upfront that I don’t know her, but I absolutely support her right to speak her truth and she should be, like all women, believed. But her story is not mine. The Joe
Biden in my picture is a close friend helping someone get through a big day, for which I
will always be grateful...But a still shot taken from a video — misleadingly extracted from
what was a longer moment between close friends — sent out in a snarky tweet — came
to be the lasting image of that day.”

Stephanie Carter, wife of the former secretary of defense, Ashton B. Carter
(3/31/19, Medium)

“She did not think of it as anything. All three of my kids have known Joe their whole
lives."
Sen. Chris Coons on Biden during 2015 swearing in ceremony
(3/30/19, Washington Post)

“I respect every woman who chooses to share her uncomfortable (and worse)
experiences with men. Their perspectives must be heard and taken seriously. I have
worked closely with @JoeBiden for many years. In my experience, he is warm and
affectionate with women (and men). But never have I found his actions inappropriate or
uncomfortable. I have always appreciated his kindness and warmth. Most importantly, I
know @JoeBiden to be a dedicated ally, champion and defender of women and all of
our rights. There is no one I would rather be with in a foxhole. He is one of the most
decent, honorable men I have been privileged to work with.”
Susan Rice, Former National Security Advisor (4/1/19, Tweet)

[peggysue2]

4. Good quotes that . . .

sum up my own impressions of Joe Biden: dedicated, decent, honorable.

Kudos to Alyssa Milano and Meghan McCain for stepping up and out on the controversy.

The pushback has begun. I predict this whole matter will only energize Joe Biden and his growing number of supporters.

[Gothmog]

5. Then you will like these quotes

This is from the same source

"Even then [1986], Joe Biden stood out for his attitude and conduct toward women: He was devoted to his wife, Jill, and he consistently selected women for senior staff roles,
treated them with respect, and gave them opportunities to blaze new trails. He never
once crossed the line in dealing with me as a young woman on his team… Joe Biden is
a man of fundamental decency and warmth, and when he makes physical contact -- as
he often does to express a personal connection -- it reflects the genuine humanity that
is one of his greatest strengths.”
Dr. Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, former Deputy Secretary of Energy, NSC Official,
and Biden Senate staff member (4/1/19, Press Statement)

“I have often been asked what it was like to work for the US Senate (a famously all-male
environment) in the early to mid 1990s. I can happily answer that the experience was
wonderful BECAUSE I was lucky enough to work for Joe Biden, who had promoted
several women, including me, to leadership roles on the staff of Senate Judiciary
Committee, and who treated us with respect and insisted that others do the same.”
Cynthia Hogan, Former Counsel to Vice President Biden (3/31/19, Press
Statement)

“I am proud to call Joe Biden a friend. He has been a leader and a champion on fighting
violence against women for many years, and I have been fortunate to accompany him
to events with survivors where he has listened to their stories, empathized with them,
and comforted them. That's who Joe Biden is - a warm, generous individual who
believes its on all of us to pay attention to women's stories and experiences. Biden
started Its On Us because he believes to meaningfully change our culture, everyone -
including those often left out of the conversation like college athletes and fraternity
brothers - needed to be part of the movement. Joe Biden’s response that he never
meant to make anyone uncomfortable and that he'll listen and learn from anyone who
says otherwise is exactly the leadership we need to build a culture where women are
heard and are equal.”
Alyssa Milano (4/1/19, Tweet)

"The Joe Biden that I have known for 25 years is a warm and friendly human being. He
didn't mean it as anything other than that. And I guess, there has never been a problem
before. He's a warm, tactile person. He reaches out and touches, and it's like this and
that [she touches a staffer's wrist] It's hardly sexy. So, that's not his intention, and it's a
new thing that people have been affronted by it. I mean, over 25 years I've never seen
that before."
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (4/1/19, Interview)

[peggysue2]

6. Yes, those too!

[Gothmog]

7. Some more then

Here are some additional comments from women who know Joe Biden

“As a woman and a mother, I am happy that we are now moving into a place where
people can speak their piece without fear of reprisals or repercussions. I don’t doubt Ms.
Flores story, nor do I discount her feelings. I simply wish she had a broader and more
accurate lens through which she could see the real Joe Biden. During that event in
question, I believe that, as he always does, Joe Biden noticed a human being standing
before him that was nervous and uneasy and he tried to give her comfort and
confidence. Period. She may have felt differently about the interaction, and that is truly
unfortunate.”
Margaret Aiken, Former Press Secretary to then-Senator Biden (4/2/19, Op-Ed)

“As his statement pointed out, he gives hugs and handshakes and calls people's
parents. He's very friendly and personable. I think that's a positive and that's the way he
has always operated. I think he did mention that he had no intention of making anyone
feel uncomfortable and is willing to listen to what people have to say. What I really want
to point out is in my years, he supports strong women. He supports women in senior
positions. I travelled with him a lot on planes and cars and all over the country, and I
never felt uncomfortable. And I never saw him make anyone else uncomfortable. And all
the work he has done on behalf of women just makes me want to say my experience
with him and what I observe is very positive.”
Sheila Nix, Chief of Staff to Vice President Biden, Obama for
America (4/1/19, MSNBC)

“As a former staffer for @JoeBiden and also someone who works on women’s issues, I
can say unequivocally that I was never uncomfortable with how he treated me or other
women. He dedicated his career to women’s empowerment, safety & equality. That’s
one reason why I worked for him.”
Kendra Barkoff Lamy, former Press Secretary to Vice President Biden
(3/30/19, Tweet)

“I have and always will #BelieveWomen, and want them to feel safe to share their
stories. I have also known Joe Biden to be a champion of combatting sexual violence,
and am proud of the work we have done together combatting campus sexual assault.”
Tracey Vitchers, Executive Director, It's On Us (3/30/19, Tweet)

[peggysue2]

9. Which is why pushing back on scurrilous accusations and/or complaints is . . .

so imperative. As another poster remarked, we need to control the narrative, particularly in cases where the storyline is twisted and gives a thoroughly negative impression. The longer the negative stories are out there, the more they fester. Like a brain virus.

So, I'm really happy to see these people coming out in strength with their own personal interactions with Biden.

Thanks for that!

[Thekaspervote]

10. +1000

[Gothmog]

11. Some more

These are all women who know Joe https://www.politico.com/f/?id=00000169-de7b-dc59-a16d-feff47c00000

“Having hugged dear Joe Biden a number of times, I am 100% certain that his
intentions are to show empathy, warmth & support.”
Jennifer Granholm, former Governor of Michigan (4/1/19, Tweet)

"Joe and I share a lot of the same values. Every experience that I've had is one of
warmth and compassion and empathy. But that's not to take away from how someone
else feels."
Heidi Heitkamp, former Senator from North Dakota (3/31/19, MSNBC)

“There’s a lot of things I know about Joe Biden — I’ve known him for a long time… I am
sure that somebody can misconstrue something he’s done. But as much as I can know
what’s in anyone’s heart, I don’t think there is bad intent on his part at all.”
Mika Brzezinski (4/1/19, MSNBC’s Morning Joe)

“I think the Joe Biden has shown us, through a long career, that he cares about
American families. He has served our country through his long Senate career and as
Vice President. I do believe he has served us honorably...Yes, I think he is [an
honorable man].”
Rep. Katherine Clark (4/1/19, MSNBC’s Morning Joe)

“Joe Biden is a good, decent man. I do not believe – he has never made me feel
uncomfortable once, I’ve been around him a lot… All I’m saying is that I vouch for his
character, in my personal experience.”
Meghan McCain, co-host, The View (4/1/19, The View)

“Over-reacting on Biden: Joe Biden pecked top of my head years ago at event where I
told him afterwards I was very sorry his son Beau was ill. Biden does that with guys
too… It’s how Biden expresses kindness & connection.”
Alicia Mundy, former WSJ reporter and Senate investigator (4/1/19, Tweet)

[peggysue2]

12. For the Biden naysayers, we frequently hear: but, but he has so-o-o much baggage

But these statements are testimony that a lot of that 'baggage' is good will, even love from the people who have worked with and been around Joe Biden for decades. I think it's the way a lot of the electorate feels in terms of who the man is, what he's done over the course of his career, the people he's helped and cared for, frequently outside public view.

That's no small thing. In fact, I think many of us would consider ourselves very lucky to have this outpouring of support and affection.

Joe Biden will not be undone by these accusations nor will his campaign be halted. In fact, I suspect this will ignite the campaign and candidate Biden very shortly. It is, however, a reminder of how ugly an election season can become and how we need to support all our Democratic candidates against unwarranted attacks.

Because winning in 2020 is our only option. We cannot fail regardless of who our eventual nominee turns out to be. And we certainly don't need to help the Republicans batter our candidates before they get started.

[Gothmog]

13. Here are yet some more

https://www.politico.com/f/?id=00000169-de7b-dc59-a16d-feff47c00000

“I worked for Joe Biden in 2008. He NEVER made me feel uncomfortable. In fact, Ihave a deep admiration for his empathy and compassion. Having said that, I believe Lucy Flores. More important, I respect her. Seems Biden does also and is willing to learn from her.”
Patti Solis Doyle, Former Chief of Staff to Vice President Biden, Obama Former
America (4/1/19, Tweet)

“I will start with - women should have the right and respect to voice their concerns and uneasiness in any situation. But I want to add my voice to those who have spent time with Joe Biden over many years. My chapter is much smaller than a lot of great women who have stood by his side but he has ALWAYS been polite, caring and deferential to me. He called my mother once, shocking me and her, and thanked her for raising a strong, smart and capable woman. We all express emotion in our own ways and Joe Biden’s has always been with respect and gratitude”
Amanda Alpert Loveday, Former Executive Director, South Carolina Democratic
Party (3/31/19, Tweet)

“My friend Stephanie Carter has something to say about that picture with Joe Biden. She's not just "that woman" or the "defense secretary's wife." An accomplished businesswoman who had an interesting day at his oath, you should read her words Directly.”
Juliette Kayyem, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for
Intergovernmental Affairs (3/31/19, Tweet)

“Stop using this photo. Stop putting words into the mouth of another woman. Stop pushing narratives upon others. My friend Stephanie Carter spoke out because SHE is the woman with Joe Biden in this widely-circulated photo.”
Erin Schrode (3/31/19, Tweet)

[peggysue2]

14. The support is flying in from all directions

I think this particular political attack . . . BACKFIRED. Rather spectacularly, too.

[Cha]

8. KR!