2020 Dems React To Biden Allegation
BLACKWELL: This morning, 2020 candidates are addressing the unwanted kiss allegation involving former Vice President Joe Biden.</s>SEN. ELIZABETH WARREN (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I read the op- ed last night, I believe Lucy Flores. And Joe Biden needs to give an answer. JULIAN CASTRO (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE I believe Lucy Flores. We need to live in a nation where people can hear her truth.</s>PAUL: Former Nevada politician Lucy Flores they're talking about there. She is seen in this picture with Vice President Biden and actress Eva Longoria there alleging Biden kissed the back of her head at this event back in 2014. Flores saying, the alleged kiss made her feel uneasy, gross and confused.</s>BLACKWELL: Biden's spokesperson responded with this statement. "Vice President Biden was pleased to support Lucy Flores's candidacy for Lieutenant Governor of Nevada in 2014 and to speak on her behalf at a well-attended public event. Neither then, nor in the years since, did he or the staff with him at the time have an inkling that Ms. Flores had been at any time uncomfortable, nor do they recall what she describes. But Vice President Biden believes that Ms. Flores has every right to share her own recollection and reflections, and that it is a change for better in our society that she has the opportunity to do so. He respects Ms. Flores as a strong and independent voice in our politics and wishes her only the best."</s>PAUL: So back with us CNN political analyst Julian Zelizer and commentary writer and editor for "The Washington Examiner" Siraj Hashmi. Good morning, gentlemen.</s>HASHMI: Good morning.</s>BLACKWELL: So, Julian, let's start here with just the statement from Biden's spokesperson. What stood out to me was that is third person, right? That is not from the former vice president. And in this age of mea culpa to the camera -- right -- where people have said, I am sorry and here is why. Is that going to be sufficient? Is that going to be enough?</s>ZELIZER: I don't think it will end the story. I mean, the last week has raised a lot of issues for Senator Biden or former Vice President Biden and I think he is going to have to address many of them and this one in particular, if the story continues, if the questions continue I don't think a spokesperson will be enough. This gets to the heart of some of the concerns with the Biden candidacy and I don't think this will quell the concern.</s>PAUL: So, you know, Biden -- Vice President Biden has been criticized for this before in many different aspects over the years. He's also a man who had said he supports women. He actually crafted the Violence Against Women Act. With that said, Siraj, does this signal to him that, listen, we are living in a different era, he may be doing things differently from this point on, might we see a different Vice President Biden if he hits the campaign trail?</s>HASHMI: Yes and even one is capable of evolution and change and Biden is certainly is no exception to that. However, he also suffers from an Al Franken problem who in late 2017 a photo surfaced of his groping a woman while she was asleep and then other accusers came out and alleged sexual misconduct forcing Franken to resign from being a senator in Minnesota. And Biden has the same problem where there are a number of visual instances of him being visually engaging women and making them uncomfortable. Chris Coons daughter during his -- their swearing-in. Orrin Hatch's granddaughter there was a -- also a photo of a woman in a biker bar that he got really close to. So it's very hard to discount Lucy Flores' allegation against Biden. And so while it doesn't meet -- may not meet the standard of, say, a Harvey Weinstein or even the multiple allegations against President Trump and the women who have accused him of sexual misconduct it certainly obviously isn't good for him.</s>BLACKWELL: Yes. And it's interesting that you point out that Franken comparison because Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is still getting harsh responses from Senate Democrats about her handling of that back in 2017. So, Julian, to you. Democrats boost of holding themselves to a higher standards on issues like this. We have heard from Senator Warren, we have heard from former Secretary Castro. Do you expect we will have to hear from the rest of the field moving forward?</s>ZELIZER: I expect you will because it's not simply about Biden and this one incident. It's the first presidential primary in the post MeToo movement and these issues have been elevated from the personal conduct of officials to the broader issues of sexual harassment and such. And so I think candidates want to speak about this. It's not all political. It's also part of the principle arguments Democrats are trying to make and, again, this field that we already have is one of the most diverse fields in political history, including the number of women who are running. So I think a lot of candidates are going to talk about this and I think people want answers about what this incident was about and is there any more to know about Biden?</s>PAUL: Candidates are going to want answers. This is a conversation that has been had many times in a campaign. As you said, with President Trump, with President Clinton. Julian, historically, significantly, how much does this affect a presidential campaign?</s>ZELIZER: It could have a huge effect, especially for someone who is not officially running yet, let's remember, because any kind of issue, remember, Gary Hart who was a Democratic candidate faced a big scandal like this involving a relationship with a woman. It brought down the entire campaign. So one incident like this can become magnified very quickly especially if it's connected to bigger social issue like MeToo. So I wouldn't discount what a story like this can do to his potential campaign.</s>BLACKWELL: All right. Julian Zelizer, Siraj Hashmi, thank you both.</s>ZELIZER: Thank you.</s>HASHMI: Thank you.</s>BLACKWELL: So the Chicago police, they say they stand behind the professionalism of the detectives who worked on the Jussie Smollett case. We will tell you what else they are saying this morning.</s>PAUL: And as one brother becomes governor, the other brother sets his sights on another office. The legacy continues on the CNN original series "THE BUSH YEARS."</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Please raise your right hand and repeat after me. I, George Walker Bush do solemnly swear.</s>GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: : I, George Walker Bush, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of president of the United States. So help me, God.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Congratulations.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: For the first time since John Quincy Adams in 1825, a president's son reaches the White House.</s>NEIL BUSH, SON OF FORMER PRESIDENT GEORGE H.W. BUSH: I know mom and dad have expressed that even greater than being president is watching your own son being sworn-in as president. It was a joyful moment for the whole family but especially for mom and dad.</s>JAMIE GANGEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: They reached that iconic photo where he goes to the Oval Office for the first time as president and his father joined him and his father said, hello, Mr. President. And he said back to his father, hello, Mr. President. And he said back to his father, hello, Mr. President. It was an extraordinary day in that family.