Former Vice President Joe Biden has a well-known habit of getting a bit handsy around women and young girls, but as the 2020 Democratic primary wears on, we’re starting to see a more aggressive version of his inability to keep his hands to himself.
While talking to an apparent activist in Iowa late last week about where he stands on phasing out U.S. fossil fuel production, a testy Biden started poking the black man in his chest.
“Go back to 1986. I’m the first one ever to put forward a climate change bill and Politifact said it was a game-changer,” Biden said, as he jabbed a finger in the man’s chest.
“I’ve been working my whole life,” the annoyed candidate added, before turning and walking away without a further word.
We’re on the ground in Iowa asking all the candidates if they’ll address the #ExtinctionCrisis by committing to a phase out of all U.S. fossil fuel production. Here’s @JoeBiden‘s response: pic.twitter.com/ix4lska31L
— Mobilize for the Wild (@Mobilize4Wild) January 30, 2020
Needless to say, CNN would be in full meltdown mode if President Donald Trump was to mimic such behavior, parading out its stable of Never Trump Republicans to gladly denounce his barbaric behavior.
Turns out, this is not the first time Biden has taken to banging on someone’s chest.
Whether the grind of the campaign is wearing on the 77-year-old Biden or not, there was another incident last week where he was seen getting aggressive with a potential voter, grabbing the man’s jacket and poking him as he told him to vote for someone else.
That incident took place at a small campaign event in Des Moines, Iowa, and also was in response to being approached about the climate.
Ed Fallon, the leader of the environmental conservationist group Bold Iowa, shared his concern about Biden’s stance on climate change and oil pipelines, and Biden got agitated because he was not going to support him in the caucuses.
Fallon did say he’d support Biden if he won the nomination “because we gotta get rid of Trump.”
“You have to go vote for someone else,” Biden told him. “You’re not going to vote for me in the primary.”
https://twitter.com/alx/status/1222275315298336768?s=20
To be clear, Fallon considered Biden’s actions inappropriate.
“It was not appropriate interaction with anybody,” he told KCCI. “I mean, if I’d done that to him, the security would have been all over me.”
Fallon said he supported billionaire Tom Steyer, a firm environmentalist, and Steyer seized on the opportunity to draw a little earned media by poking back at Biden.
“This is no way to treat an Iowan,” he tweeted, adding that Biden shouldn’t “take it out on voters” if he disagrees with “immediate action on climate.”
Hi @JoeBiden,
This is no way to treat an Iowan. He said he'd vote for the Dem in the general b/c he knows how important it is to beat Trump.
We need immediate action on climate. If you don't agree, happy to talk @ debate.
But don't take it out on voters we need to win in Nov. https://t.co/gG6UTDGL15
— Tom Steyer (@TomSteyer) January 28, 2020
There have been other terse exchanges with voters, including a December town hall where Biden called a voter a “damned liar” for bringing up his son, Hunter Biden, and the controversy over his alleged nefarious actions in Ukraine — this being the incident where Biden infamously challenged the 83-year-old man to a push-up contest.
The man had jumbled the facts somewhat, saying Biden “sent” his son to Ukraine to get a job and that he was “selling access to the president.”
“You’re a damn liar. That’s not true,” Biden fired back. “Get your words straight, jack!”
When asked about the incident with the elderly Marine veteran in an interview with NPR, the former vice president got snappy with Morning Edition host Rachel Martin for comparing him to Trump.
“Don’t do that!” he told Martin, who made the analogy after the candidate excused his behavior by trying to laugh it off.
Speaking of getting snappy with reporters, there was the recent incident where Biden became visibly irate with CBS reporter Ed O’Keefe for asking about a clash with Sen. Bernie Sanders.
“Why, why, why, why, why, why, why?” Biden replied. “You’re getting nervous, man. Calm down, it’s okay.”
Biden’s antics on the stump are so noticeable, “The Daily Show” put out a hilarious parody ad on the issue.
“Joe Biden is tired,” the voice-over declared. “Tired of you.”
The ad shows many of the incidents listed above, stating: “You don’t want him in your face, then get the f*ck out of his!”
The clip also includes several incidents where an agitated Biden tells voters to vote for someone else, concluding with the campaign tagline” Biden — F*ck Off, Jack!”
This election season, vote for Joe Biden… or don’t. pic.twitter.com/kwQ3xgiDqs
— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) January 31, 2020
DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW
Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!
[email protected]
The longest-tenured writer at BizPac Review, Tom grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills.
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.
BPR INSIDER COMMENTS
Scroll down for non-member comments or join our insider conversations by becoming a member. We'd love to have you!
