This month, Joe Biden has been accused of alleged sexually inappropriate conduct by seven different women. Beginning with Lucy Flores, a democratic former lieutenant governor nominee for Nevada, who alleged in an essay in the Cut, that Biden had “planted a big slow kiss on the back of my head.” 6 other women, following Flores’ wake, alleged accusations of sexual misconduct against Biden.
From April 1^st through the 3^rd, 7 women have accused Biden of some sort of misconduct. Given I have already written on the aspect of sexual assault accusations (see Fake sexual assault accusations hurt everyone from October 11^th of 2018), my opinion on this is clear and is still viable today. I believe we should continue to treat the accused as innocent until proven guilty.
I’m sure it’s no shock to anyone that I am not a fan of Joe Biden. I think he is not fit to lead the country but has done some decent things in his career. I will not fault him for doing what he can. However, there is a very high chance that Biden will announce his bid for the 2020 presidential election. Seemingly simultaneously, these allegations arose.
Now, this isn’t to say they are not true due to the timing. Possibly these women saw Biden gaining political power and felt it was the time to tell the world their stories. Possibly after Flores’ essay, the others gained the confidence to come forth as well. I am not to judge. However, it is also pertinent that, despite anyone’s political leanings or their previous notions against Biden, during any sort of legal actions taken against him – he should remain innocent until proven guilty. That factor should remain for any and all sexual misconduct or assault cases.
Whether or not these cases came out because of Biden’s potential bid for the presidency is irrelevant. If these women truly were sexually harassed, and their allegations have been fully investigated, then Biden should pay for what he has done. If the allegations are proven true, then this man should not be allowed to run for president. Biden should be held accountable for his actions if proven guilty.
Unfortunately, he is a public figure and these allegations, whether true or false, will be recorded. The 2020 election cycle will be a strange one, but these allegations must be investigated first if we are to make sure we elect the proper leader for this county next year.
As it stands now, Biden is innocent until the court of law proves him guilty. That is how this country works and will continue to work. If we decide that this constitutional right is no longer applicable, we no longer operate as a free country. The rights of the accused still exist. These allegations against Biden do not mean he cannot run for president, or even that he should drop out of the proposed run. I do not like Joe Biden, but the constitution protects him from the common societal guilty until proven innocent, which does nothing but divide.