A different perspective on Joe Biden

[macwriter]

Am reposting here after being locked in the General Discussion. Since Biden is not yet a declared candidate and this has nothing to do with primaries, I mistakenly thought it was not yet appropriate to post here, but here goes -- apologies to those who have already viewed or commented on this:

I seldom post, but always read DU and love the passion and interaction here. My mother was born and raised in Wilkes Barre PA and is Irish Catholic. She and Joe are the same age. When I saw the forehead to forehead shots of him as well as the shoulder touching, it hit me. My mom does exactly the same thing -- with friends, relatives, neighbors, my friends -- everybody. She'll reach out and hold your hand if she thinks you need it. She gives unsolicted neck rubs. She's an all-time space invader. So here's my question: would these same women who were uncomfortable and offended by Joe's space invasion feel the same way about my mom, Mary's actions if they were the recipient of her unasked for hug, etc.?
I know it's out there a bit, but I was wondering how much is this a gender as opposed to space invasion issue?
13

[rogerashton]

1. I'm not a touchy-feelie guy,

but I have dear friends and some relatives, female, who just have to hug when we meet. It does make me a little uncomfortable having my personal space invaded, but what to do? I don't think the straight-arm would be quite the right response -- so I hug, but I don't think I'm very good at it.

These are mostly Southern ladies, including a steel magnolia or two.

[Merlot]

4. Friends and relatives are one thing, people you work with another.

To me that's the big issues. There is nothing wrong with what Biden does when he's in social and familial situations. If people in those settings are uncomfortable with his interactions, they can tell him so without repercussions.

Professional situations, and people who he doesn't know, it's a different thing and he should be more respectful of their space.

[Merlot]

2. The difference between your mom and the VP is the setting

A lot of those people who had interactions with Biden that made them uncomfortable were in a professional setting. They were dealing with someone in their party who was very senior, had a lot of power.

Was your mom a CEO of a large company and did she touch her employees in this manner? Or was it friends, in social situations?

It's about power and context.

[Demsrule86]

5. I don't believe any of them. Politically motivated.

[UniteFightBack]

7. Judging from what we know about him though I think Mr. Biden would of been very

receptive to a please don't touch me. Anyone who says that it's an obvious cue that THEY have a problem...not YOU ...THEM....so How the hell is someone going to ever know if they make people uncomfortable if they are never told.

Are you saying Joe used his position of power to be overly affectionate with people to what cop cheap feels etc????

And actually yes at my company we are pretty affectionate when we see each other at company gatherings. We hug, cheek kiss, slap each others arms.

My last job the Euro owner dude would come in often and everybody euro kissed him.

This goes on more than you think. This is life.

[Cha]

3. Thanks, I missed it.

[UniteFightBack]

6. No I'm sure they wouldn't of felt uncomfortable by your mom by the sheer fact that yes she is

a woman. I think more emphasis has to also be placed on teaching young girls and women to speak up. It's uncomfortable getting your space invaded and it may be uncomfortable speaking up....so you may as well speak up.

I think in the end there are way more people that Biden has NOT made uncomfortable than made uncomfy so that right there is your answer. You are never gonna please and do right by everybody.

[highplainsdem]

8. Good for your mom, and for Joe. IMO they're both good, compassionate, normal, healthy people

who are capable to expressing affection and reassurance. God forbid we replace such people with others who think we need to go around measuring personal space and asking permission before showing spontaneous, natural concern or affection.

As for whether the women now claiming they were made uncomfortable by Joe Biden, though they said nothing at the time, would have felt the same way about your mom... I don't know. My own take is that their alleged discomfort was either nonexistent or a lot less important to them at the time of these incidents, but for whatever reason they feel it necessary to speak out against Biden now.