House Speaker Nancy Pelosi dismissed a question about the sexual assault allegation against former Vice President Joe Biden on Thursday, stating in part, “Joe Biden is Joe Biden.”
The California Democrat was fielding questions from reporters when she was asked if Democrats are applying a different standard to the sexual assault allegation against Biden than they did to the accusations against then-Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh in 2018.
“How do Democrats square with the idea that they’re essentially, they’re standing by Biden but they’re using a comparatively different standard [than they did] with Kavanaugh?” Washington Examiner reporter Kerry Picket asked.
“I respect your question and I don’t need a lecture or a speech,” Pelosi snapped.
“Here’s the thing: I have complete respect for the whole MeToo movement, I have four daughters and one son, and there’s a lot of excitement around the idea that women will be heard,” she continued.
House Democrats make push for western Michigan seat that’s long been a GOP stronghold
Maryland ballot measure aims to eliminate the state’s last GOP-held House district
Trump sidelines sweeping Russia sanctions as GOP allies warn pressure on Putin is slipping
Trump pushback, Biden ‘disaster’ and gender surprise: 5 key moments from Kansas Senate debate
Michigan Senate race draws presidential-level star power in final stretch
Antifa supporter charged with stealing GOP campaign signs in NY race to replace Stefanik
Supreme Court blocks use of student IDs as voter identification in New Hampshire
Blanche won’t rule out DOJ blocking election certification in ‘doomsday’ scenario
Utah man charged with attempted hate crime after alleged threat to ‘blow up’ synagogue
Trump invokes Defense Production Act to boost US fuel refining capacity at Iowa rally
‘I basically snapped’: New Jersey mayor charges at resident during chaotic council meeting
Old Social Media Post Comes Back to Haunt Virginia Democrat After She’s Arrested on Drug Trafficking Charges
New York Democrat Accused of Attacking Opponent’s Mother Inside Bathroom: ‘Not Fit to Serve’
White House Wants Karoline Leavitt’s Help Finding New Press Secretary After Katie Zacharia Disaster
Watch: Socialists and Democrats Trigger Chaotic Brawl in European Nation’s Parliament
“There’s also due process, and the fact that Joe Biden is Joe Biden.”
Pelosi continued, stating that that she is confident in supporting Biden and saying — in reference to the allegation by former Biden Senate staffer Tara Reade, who claims he sexually assaulted her in 1993 — that there “was never any record of this.”
“I am so proud, the happiest day for me this week was to support Joe Biden for president of the United States,” Pelosi said, adding that Biden is “a person of great integrity.”
“I believe that he will be a great president of the United States. He is the personification of hope and optimism and authenticity, for our country, a person of great values.
“So I want to remove all doubt in anyone’s mind. I have great comfort level with the situation as I see it, with all the respect in the world for any woman who comes forward, with all the highest regard for Joe Biden, and that’s what I have to say about that,” Pelosi concluded.
Pelosi answered a question about the sexual assault allegation against Biden earlier Thursday from CNN’s Alisyn Camerota.
House Democrats make push for western Michigan seat that’s long been a GOP stronghold
Maryland ballot measure aims to eliminate the state’s last GOP-held House district
Trump sidelines sweeping Russia sanctions as GOP allies warn pressure on Putin is slipping
Trump pushback, Biden ‘disaster’ and gender surprise: 5 key moments from Kansas Senate debate
Michigan Senate race draws presidential-level star power in final stretch
Antifa supporter charged with stealing GOP campaign signs in NY race to replace Stefanik
Supreme Court blocks use of student IDs as voter identification in New Hampshire
Blanche won’t rule out DOJ blocking election certification in ‘doomsday’ scenario
Utah man charged with attempted hate crime after alleged threat to ‘blow up’ synagogue
Trump invokes Defense Production Act to boost US fuel refining capacity at Iowa rally
‘I basically snapped’: New Jersey mayor charges at resident during chaotic council meeting
Old Social Media Post Comes Back to Haunt Virginia Democrat After She’s Arrested on Drug Trafficking Charges
New York Democrat Accused of Attacking Opponent’s Mother Inside Bathroom: ‘Not Fit to Serve’
White House Wants Karoline Leavitt’s Help Finding New Press Secretary After Katie Zacharia Disaster
Watch: Socialists and Democrats Trigger Chaotic Brawl in European Nation’s Parliament
“Do you think that it is time for Vice President Biden to address this head-on himself?” Camerota asked.
“Well, I have great sympathy for any women who bring forth an allegation,” Pelosi said.
“I’m a big, strong supporter of the MeToo movement. I think it has been a great, made a great contribution to our country.
“And I do support Joe Biden. I’m satisfied with how he has responded,” she said.
After being pressed, Pelosi added she is “impressed with the people who worked for him at the time saying they absolutely never heard one iota of information about [the allegation].
“Nobody ever brought forth a claim or had anybody else tell them about such a claim,” Pelosi said.
“But, again, we have an important election at hand, one that is, I think, one of the most important ones that we’ve had.”
House Democrats make push for western Michigan seat that’s long been a GOP stronghold
Maryland ballot measure aims to eliminate the state’s last GOP-held House district
Trump sidelines sweeping Russia sanctions as GOP allies warn pressure on Putin is slipping
Trump pushback, Biden ‘disaster’ and gender surprise: 5 key moments from Kansas Senate debate
Michigan Senate race draws presidential-level star power in final stretch
Antifa supporter charged with stealing GOP campaign signs in NY race to replace Stefanik
Supreme Court blocks use of student IDs as voter identification in New Hampshire
Blanche won’t rule out DOJ blocking election certification in ‘doomsday’ scenario
Utah man charged with attempted hate crime after alleged threat to ‘blow up’ synagogue
Trump invokes Defense Production Act to boost US fuel refining capacity at Iowa rally
‘I basically snapped’: New Jersey mayor charges at resident during chaotic council meeting
Old Social Media Post Comes Back to Haunt Virginia Democrat After She’s Arrested on Drug Trafficking Charges
New York Democrat Accused of Attacking Opponent’s Mother Inside Bathroom: ‘Not Fit to Serve’
White House Wants Karoline Leavitt’s Help Finding New Press Secretary After Katie Zacharia Disaster
Watch: Socialists and Democrats Trigger Chaotic Brawl in European Nation’s Parliament
CNN's Alisyn Camerota held Nancy Pelosi's feet to the fire by pointing out that Joe Biden actually hasn't directly and personally addressed Tara Reade's sexual assault allegations. pic.twitter.com/Y0m1CwQ7kO
— MRCTV (@mrctv) April 30, 2020
Pelosi formally endorsed Biden on Monday, despite the fact the the presumptive Democratic nominee is facing an increasingly credible accusation of sexual assault from Reade.
Questions about Reade’s allegation have become problematic for high-profile Democrats, who largely dug in against Kavanaugh in 2018.
Reade, who worked for Biden from late 1992 until August 1993, has accused the then-senator from Delaware of kissing, groping and digitally penetrating her during an unwanted sexual advance.
Biden’s campaign has denied the allegation.
Last month, Biden’s deputy campaign manager and communications director Kate Bedingfield told Fox News, “Women have a right to tell their story, and reporters have an obligation to rigorously vet those claims.”
Story cited here.
