All three morning shows on Wednesday covered the latest example of Joe Biden's awkward, close talking with women in public. However, the hosts of CBS This Morning went out of their way to excuse the Vice President's caressing touch and whispering into the ears of the new Secretary of Defense's wife.
Co-host Norah O'Donnell argued that there was a reason Biden placed his hands tightly on Stephanie Carter's shoulder, defending, "It’s important to know the background that the new Defense Secretary's wife actually fell on the ice." O'Donnell added, " I think he was comforting her." Charlie Rose jumped in, spinning the actions as "consoling."
Gayle King repeated the official story: "He was reportedly comforting her after she fell on ice...He's just very friendly."
The journalists at NBC's Today weren't as understanding. Willie Geist deemed the Vice President "awkward" and his actions "raised a few eyebrows." Geist opined, "He's getting a little handsy now, too."
In the 9am hour, Geist was even more direct. After allowing that some could see it as "Joe being Joe," he declared, "The other side of it is 'take your hands off my wife.'"
Tamron Hall declared, "As a woman, I do not want a man touching my shoulders like that or going in [to whisper in my ear]."
On Good Morning America, the controversy was relegated to the superficial "speed feed" segment. Lara Spencer dismissed, "[Biden is] very affectionate." Michael Strahan enthused, "He's spreading love."
One only has to imagine the media reaction if a conservative Vice President, say Dan Quayle, had repeatedly done this sort of thing.
On Tuesday night, the networks avoided the awkward Biden.
A transcript of the February 18 segment is below:
8:03
GAYLE KING: Vice President Joe Biden is living up to his reputation as a, well, hands-on politician. Take a look at the swearing in for Defense Secretary Ashton Carter on Tuesday. Biden holds onto the shoulder of Carter's wife Stephanie whispering in her ear at one point. He was reportedly – I'm trying to figure out Stephanie's expression there -- He was reportedly comforting her after she fell on ice. Biden pulled a similar move on the campaign trail in 2012 and last month he got close to the daughter of Senator Chris Coons. Well, everyone knows he's a touchy feeling guy. And he’s just very friendly.
NORAH O’DONNELL: He is. And it’s important to know the background that the new Defense Secretary's wife actually fell on the ice.
KING: And was hurt pretty badly.
O'DONNELL: And was hurt pretty badly so I think he was comforting her.
CHARLIE ROSE: Consoling.
