# Former staffer accuses Joe Biden of sexual assault **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [March 27, 2020, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-staffer-accuses-joe-biden-of-sexual-assault/850393 "2020-03-27T03:13:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 28
**Author:** ![Manwich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e480ec/32.png) [@Manwich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manwich)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-staffer-accuses-joe-biden-of-sexual-assault/850393/541 "2020-04-29T20:08:14Z")
It didn’t work for your team so you don’t allow that strategy now? A waste of time for who? It was wrong for both Biden and Kavanaugh to commit their assaults, this isn’t hard ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-staffer-accuses-joe-biden-of-sexual-assault/850393/542 "2020-04-29T20:23:23Z")
> [@Lamoral](#): > > I’ve changed my mind about all of this since then. The Kavanaugh accusation failed to block his appointment to the court, and my conclusion from the whole thing is that dredging up old allegations of sexual assault is waste of time. This is actually valid, IMO. There’s no point in holding Joe Biden to a higher standard than Trump. Another difference is that we’re electing someone. We can present the evidence, let candidates defend themselves, and let voters believe what they may. The reason Roy Moore was so horrible wasn’t just because he preyed on teen girls; he was just a bad candidate and this only amplified it. The only reason his sexual predilections mattered at all was the fact that Republicans have for years campaigned on sexual mores and “character.” ---
**Author:** ![Manwich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e480ec/32.png) [@Manwich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manwich)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-staffer-accuses-joe-biden-of-sexual-assault/850393/543 "2020-04-29T20:30:56Z")
> [@](#): > > The reason Roy Moore was so horrible wasn’t just because he preyed on teen girls; he was just a bad candidate and this only amplified it. The only reason his sexual predilections mattered at all was the fact that Republicans have for years campaigned on sexual mores and “character.” Going to be controversial and disagree. It’s always bad for 32 year olds to sexually assault 14 year olds, not just when they are Republicans. ---
**Author:** ![Boycott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boycott/32/6741_2.png) [@Boycott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boycott)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-staffer-accuses-joe-biden-of-sexual-assault/850393/544 "2020-04-29T20:52:48Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > I don’t recall you saying anything like this about Kavanaugh. Just that, based on the hearings (not that Ms. Ford reported it contemporaneously, or to the police), [you believed the allegations, and that you were OK with dirty tricks against a Trump nominee](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=21235111&postcount=4532). Funny how it works. > > Regards, > Shodan Dr Ford did not request to testify. Her complaint and her name was outed by a journalist who wanted to paint Sen. Feinstein as sitting on damaging information on Kavanaugh. As a result of that she agreed to testify under oath about her allegations. She did not speak to a journalist or media outlet beforehand. Or after. That’s something that often gets forgotten about that testimony. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-staffer-accuses-joe-biden-of-sexual-assault/850393/545 "2020-04-29T21:30:52Z")
> [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](#): > > You’re a wanker. > > And you’re blocked now so wank in places other than my SD feed. Name calling is not permitted in Great Debates. This is a Warning to refrain from doing that in the future. [/Moderating] ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-staffer-accuses-joe-biden-of-sexual-assault/850393/546 "2020-04-29T21:49:58Z")
> [@Organism](#): > > The “L” you appended to your username might be unnecessary if you think that it’s ENORMOUS SCARE QUOTES “woke” not to want rapist fratboys in lifetime judicial appointments on a sham court. With your generally hostile posting style you should be aware that we do not tolerate mocking another poster’s username. Back off, tone it down, and stick to fact-based discussion with less open venom in your opinions. [/Moderating] ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-staffer-accuses-joe-biden-of-sexual-assault/850393/547 "2020-04-29T21:52:40Z")
With the general and increasing level of personal hostility in this thread, Warnings and, perhaps, closure is likely in this thread’s future. [/Moderating] ---
**Author:** ![Saintly\_Loser](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saintly_loser/32/4045_2.png) [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-staffer-accuses-joe-biden-of-sexual-assault/850393/548 "2020-04-29T21:59:16Z")
> [@pjacks](#): > > I assume that you’re referring to me. Not everyone can be a paragon of virtue like you, sorry. No, Kavanaugh should never have been placed on the court, that much is true. He is pet of plutocrats and the only world he has ever known or cared about is the vile hive of obscenely rich WASPs he rose from. His beliefs and values will directly hurt me, you & millions of people, which is what Democrats should have led with. Instead they turned Congress into a reality show about a sexual assualt that happened a lifetime ago. I don’t care about a frat party that happened before I was born. No jury in the country would’ve convicted Kavanaugh on the basis of evidence we saw in that political circus, and the backlash directly led to the Dems LOSING Senate seats in what was supposed to be a blue wave midterm. That’s the problem- the whole thing was tactically stupid- which is the greatest failing of the current iteration of the party, not that they’re not woke enough, as you seem to think. Here are some more monumentaly stupid tactical moves out of their recent playbook: > > -Failing to give DC & Puerto Rico statehood when they controlled the White House, the House, and had a supermajority in the Senate. This was completely doable and activists and pundits clamored for it at the time, to death ears. This alone could’ve stopped the true root of evil, Mitch McConnell, from ever gaining power. > -Passing Romneycare after Obama campaigned on passing true universal healthcare, because of fears of upsetting Republicans with the horrors of a public option. Instead, democratic turnout cratered in the following midterm, while republican turnout remained mostly static, leading to hundreds of dems losing their elections nationwide during a redistricting year. > -Running one of the most disliked politicians in the country in 2016 after the GOP & its propaganda machine spent almost 30 years digging a Hillary Clinton shaped hole and praying for the chance to finally fill it. > -Learning all the wrong lessons from the Trump & Bernie phenomenons, and doubling down on identity politics and mealy mouthed centrism instead of economic populism and strengthening unions and organizing. This even partially applies to Bernie himself, who filled his 2nd campaign with graduates from Woke University, losing almost half his support in the process. > -The impeachment circus, which accomplished nothing except raising Trump’s approval ratings, and gifting him & his cult a dangerous new feeling of invincibility. > -Running the oldest candidate in US history during a pandemic that disproportionately kills off geriatrics, and one who has shockingly low support among young voters at a time when the party needs to nurture a new generation of leaders and gain support from a new generation of voters. The leaders of the party are now Biden, Pelosi & Schumer. Good luck getting anyone under 60 to be excited about that. > -And now this Tara Reade thing. The Dems have trained a certain portion of their voters to parrot #MeToo talking points and to believe all women, so now they have to deal with the repercussions of their candidate being hit by his own unprovable, inconvenient sexual assault allegations. > > There is no world that exists where it matters if he did this or not. All that matters is what is done about the cratering economy, our healthcare system, climate change… things that affect hundreds of millions of Americans, not just Tara Reade and a few concerned feminists. Of course, Biden will do next to nothing about all that, so it’s a moot point anyway. Now was the time to run a charismatic young leader in sharp contrast to Trump- one that could inspire a new generation of voters to save this country. Too bad. This is about 99.99999% right. Especially this: > [@](#): > > Learning all the wrong lessons from the Trump & Bernie phenomenons, and doubling down on identity politics and mealy mouthed centrism instead of economic populism and strengthening unions and organizing. This even partially applies to Bernie himself, who filled his 2nd campaign with graduates from Woke University, losing almost half his support in the process. Whenever and wherever has an even mildly left-wing movement or party succeeded by alienating labor? ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-staffer-accuses-joe-biden-of-sexual-assault/850393/549 "2020-04-29T22:02:16Z")
> [@Organism](#): > > Better a “wanker” (the fuck?) than a longwinded half-coherent rape apologist I suppose. This is exactly the sort of nonsense that ruins whatever argument you believe you are making while violating the board rules. This is a Warning to back off from this sort of name-calling. [/Moderating] ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-staffer-accuses-joe-biden-of-sexual-assault/850393/550 "2020-04-29T22:52:01Z")
> [@Lamoral](#): > > I’ve changed my mind about all of this since then. The Kavanaugh accusation failed to block his appointment to the court, and my conclusion from the whole thing is that dredging up old allegations of sexual assault is waste of time. This is why we have such terms as situational ethics. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2020, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-staffer-accuses-joe-biden-of-sexual-assault/850393/551 "2020-04-30T01:00:50Z")
Here is a very lucid and compelling argument laid out by a former prosecutor who used to represent women who were sexually assaulted. It lays out why [Reade’s allegations against Biden are not very compelling](https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2020/04/29/joe-biden-sexual-assault-allegation-tara-reade-column/3046962001/). It’s a detailed examination of the information made available by various sources to date and a good contextual timeline of events and witness statements. Well worth the read. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2020, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-staffer-accuses-joe-biden-of-sexual-assault/850393/552 "2020-04-30T01:21:44Z")
To be fair, most of those myriad reasons for skepticism seem fairly tepid. But it did reinforce my opinion of her being in the bag for Putin, if the article is accurate about her trying to blatantly deny what she actually wrote: indeed, that seems right out of Trump’s playbook. ---
**Author:** ![Organism](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Organism](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Organism)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2020, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-staffer-accuses-joe-biden-of-sexual-assault/850393/553 "2020-04-30T03:04:40Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > This is exactly the sort of nonsense that ruins whatever argument you believe you are making while violating the board rules. > > This is a Warning to back off from this sort of name-calling. > > [/Moderating] Hi: Calling this “nonsense” and :rolleyes: summoning “believe you are making” is more grievously insulting than identifying the tendency in another person to excuse sexual trangression while throwing around misogynistic language. Motivated reasoners gonna motivatedly reason though. Forgive my “venom” for rape and its perpetrators, seems to be a good topic of humor and detached conjecture for some of you. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2020, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-staffer-accuses-joe-biden-of-sexual-assault/850393/554 "2020-04-30T03:25:01Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Here is a very lucid and compelling argument laid out by a former prosecutor who used to represent women who were sexually assaulted. It lays out why [Reade’s allegations against Biden are not very compelling](https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2020/04/29/joe-biden-sexual-assault-allegation-tara-reade-column/3046962001/). > > It’s a detailed examination of the information made available by various sources to date and a good contextual timeline of events and witness statements. Well worth the read. This is actually a very compelling read, and a reminder that there is legitimate reason to doubt her story. Something may have gone down between Biden and Reade - we’re in no position to know, and Biden’s more or less acknowledged he may have engaged in touching that made numerous women feel uncomfortable. But that’s not sexual assault. Could it have been non-consensual touching that led to a misunderstanding, a falling out, and abuse of power? Maybe so. But that’s not a news story that’s worth our time. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2020, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-staffer-accuses-joe-biden-of-sexual-assault/850393/555 "2020-04-30T03:32:36Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Here is a very lucid and compelling argument laid out by a former prosecutor who used to represent women who were sexually assaulted. It lays out why [Reade’s allegations against Biden are not very compelling](https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2020/04/29/joe-biden-sexual-assault-allegation-tara-reade-column/3046962001/). > > It’s a detailed examination of the information made available by various sources to date and a good contextual timeline of events and witness statements. Well worth the read. That article is filled with things that when used as a defense for Kavanaugh were poo-pooed at being soooo behind the times and failing to understand how abused women act. For example, he counts it against Raede that she cannot remember the exact date. Weren’t we told during Kavanaugh that such a thing was very, very common? That poor uncle Joe conveniently cannot establish an alibi for himself so it is unfair? Did the author laugh while writing that? That she waited for so long…really?!? That she has only one witness that she told a couple of years later? Ford had zero. No physical evidence? You get the idea. The author also showed his bias when he pivoted to Trump and started on him. The bottom line is that your side is being very disingenuous on this issue. Believe all women, we are told. But not when she accuses a Democrat. Sure, we’ll sacrifice Al Franken when we know he will be replaced with another Democrat, (and there are pictures) but when our backs are against the wall, we will pick her story apart and destroy her. FTR, I am suspect of all of these stories, but how would I know? If you want to make an allegation against someone, do not wait decades. Everyone, even people in the #metoo movement, should be advocating that while also realizing that basic fairness demands that the accused have a reasonable opportunity to rebut allegations. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2020, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-staffer-accuses-joe-biden-of-sexual-assault/850393/556 "2020-04-30T11:56:19Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > That article is filled with things that when used as a defense for Kavanaugh were poo-pooed at being soooo behind the times and failing to understand how abused women act. > > For example, he counts it against Raede that she cannot remember the exact date. Weren’t we told during Kavanaugh that such a thing was very, very common? That poor uncle Joe conveniently cannot establish an alibi for himself so it is unfair? Did the author laugh while writing that? > > That she waited for so long…really?!? That she has only one witness that she told a couple of years later? Ford had zero. > > No physical evidence? You get the idea. > > The author also showed his bias when he pivoted to Trump and started on him. > > The bottom line is that your side is being very disingenuous on this issue. Believe all women, we are told. But not when she accuses a Democrat. Sure, we’ll sacrifice Al Franken when we know he will be replaced with another Democrat, (and there are pictures) but when our backs are against the wall, we will pick her story apart and destroy her. > > FTR, I am suspect of all of these stories, but how would I know? If you want to make an allegation against someone, do not wait decades. Everyone, even people in the #metoo movement, should be advocating that while also realizing that basic fairness demands that the accused have a reasonable opportunity to rebut allegations. Those are fair points to make, but one major difference is that Kavanaugh had multiple accusers; Biden does not, and his one accuser has changed her story. Even changing, misremembering or forgetting some of the details I could see - memories aren’t perfect. But multiple accusers is the key difference – for now. At least in my mind. I’ll willingly eat my words if others come out and make similar claims that he went beyond shoulder rubs and hair sniffing and crossed the line into sticking his fingers up skirts and into vaginas. But it’s been months since Reade’s come out and nobody else is coming forward, which is different from Kavanaugh, Trump, Franken, and Roy Moore. In those cases, there was a cascade of nearly identical stories. To me, that’s a major distinction. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2020, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-staffer-accuses-joe-biden-of-sexual-assault/850393/557 "2020-04-30T13:18:01Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > The bottom line is that your side is being very disingenuous on this issue. Believe all women, we are told. But not when she accuses a Democrat. Sure, we’ll sacrifice Al Franken when we know he will be replaced with another Democrat, (and there are pictures) but when our backs are against the wall, we will pick her story apart and destroy her. I’m one of the ones on “your side” (Democrat) and I agree with this to some extent. “Believe all women” is a dumb and not an idea consistent with the American system of jurisprudence of innocent until proven guilty. That said, I think it’s entirely consistent to believe Ford and not Reade. Personally, I think it’s more likely than not true that Kavanaugh assaulted Ford, and also more likely than not true that Biden did not assault Reade. I wouldn’t swear to either one (and I wouldn’t convict Kavanaugh in a court of law based on the evidence presented). Lest I get accused of making that decision in a partisan manner, I think it’s more likely than not true that Bill Clinton assaulted one or more women. (And nearly certainly true that Trump did.) ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2020, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-staffer-accuses-joe-biden-of-sexual-assault/850393/558 "2020-04-30T13:58:09Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > I’m one of the ones on “your side” (Democrat) and I agree with this to some extent. “Believe all women” is a dumb and not an idea consistent with the American system of jurisprudence of innocent until proven guilty. > > That said, I think it’s entirely consistent to believe Ford and not Reade. Personally, I think it’s more likely than not true that Kavanaugh assaulted Ford, and also more likely than not true that Biden did not assault Reade. I wouldn’t swear to either one (and I wouldn’t convict Kavanaugh in a court of law based on the evidence presented). > > Lest I get accused of making that decision in a partisan manner, I think it’s more likely than not true that Bill Clinton assaulted one or more women. (And nearly certainly true that Trump did.) Be careful, your partisanship is showing. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2020, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-staffer-accuses-joe-biden-of-sexual-assault/850393/559 "2020-04-30T14:27:32Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > That article is filled with things that when used as a defense for Kavanaugh were poo-pooed at being soooo behind the times and failing to understand how abused women act. > > For example, he counts it against Raede that she cannot remember the exact date. Weren’t we told during Kavanaugh that such a thing was very, very common? That poor uncle Joe conveniently cannot establish an alibi for himself so it is unfair? Did the author laugh while writing that? > > That she waited for so long…really?!? That she has only one witness that she told a couple of years later? Ford had zero. > > No physical evidence? You get the idea. > > The author also showed his bias when he pivoted to Trump and started on him. > > The bottom line is that your side is being very disingenuous on this issue. Believe all women, we are told. But not when she accuses a Democrat. Sure, we’ll sacrifice Al Franken when we know he will be replaced with another Democrat, (and there are pictures) but when our backs are against the wall, we will pick her story apart and destroy her. > > FTR, I am suspect of all of these stories, but how would I know? If you want to make an allegation against someone, do not wait decades. Everyone, even people in the #metoo movement, should be advocating that while also realizing that basic fairness demands that the accused have a reasonable opportunity to rebut allegations. I was never certain that Kavanaugh was guilty. I think it was more likely than not, based on Ford’s testimony, but I recognize that this falls short of the legal standard required to convict someone of a crime of sexual assault. My objection to Kavanaugh was more about his lack of fitness based on his conduct and character which was revealed in the hearings. That aside, why is it that we have to always go back to that case when evaluating this case? Can’t this accusation stand or fall on its own merits? Because I frankly don’t see a lot of republicans and Trump supporters arguing for Biden’s innocence. Seems to me that the right wing wants to have it both ways as well. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2020, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-staffer-accuses-joe-biden-of-sexual-assault/850393/560 "2020-04-30T14:34:38Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > IMy objection to Kavanaugh was more about his lack of fitness based on his conduct and character which was revealed in the hearings. This ^ Also, Kavanaugh’s position wasn’t an election; it was a **lifetime appointment**. It wasn’t unreasonable to suggest that someone else could have been appointed in place of him. Biden, on the other hand, represents the will of the people, most of whom were already aware that he had mildly creepy tendencies and were okay with it. I still think all women who come forward with charges should indeed be heard - I hear Reade. But that doesn’t mean all women should be listened to. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-staffer-accuses-joe-biden-of-sexual-assault/850393.md?page=27) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-staffer-accuses-joe-biden-of-sexual-assault/850393.md?page=29)