Over the years, NBC News Chief Foreign Affairs correspondent Andrea Mitchell has become known for her die-hard loyalty to the Clintons. But during Monday’s edition of NBC Nightly News, she showed a similar defensive attitude for former Vice President Joe Biden, who was facing accusations of inappropriate touching from at least two women.
Mitchell began her report with a speedy rundown of what Biden’s second accuser was alleging:
Tonight, a second woman, a former Democratic campaign volunteer, posting on Facebook that Joe Biden touched her inappropriately at a Connecticut fundraiser. Amy Lappos saying he “rubbed noses” with her in 2009. Unwanted contact she described as not sexual. In a statement saying, “uninvited affection is not okay. Objectifying women is not okay.”
“Her account not verified by NBC News,” she tacked on at the end. It was a luxury NBC News refused to afford Justice Brett Kavanaugh when they were vigorously working to spread the lies of accuser Julie Swetnick.
There was a noticeable spike in Mitchell’s enthusiasm when she started reporting on those coming to Biden’s defense. “Biden issued a statement that, ‘I have offered countless handshakes, hugs, expressions of affection, support and comfort and not once - never - did I believe I acted inappropriately,’” she parroted.
During NBC’s Today, earlier that morning, Mitchell opined about how “standards for what used to be acceptable interactions have changed for a lot of women, especially in this Me Too era.”
In contrast, CBS Evening News that night shared a statement from accuser Amy Lappos that blasted such dismissiveness: “Referring to this type of behavior as ‘simply affection’ or ‘grandpa-like’ or ‘friendly’ is ridiculously dismissive and part of the problem.”
“Biden's spokesman today blasting what he calls ‘a cottage industry of lies’ about the former Vice President, including this cropped image with a boy. In fact, it was Biden comforting his grandson at Beau Biden's funeral. Now, all of it a 2020 campaign issue,” Mitchell continued to huff.
She followed that up with a clip of her aggressively pressing Minnesota Senator and 2020 hopeful Amy Klobuchar on her interactions with the former VP:
MITCHELL: Have you seen him being too huggy, too touchy-feely?
SEN. AMY KLOBUCHAR: I personally haven't seen that.
Flashing what appeared to be irritation with the accusations, Mitchell explained why they were coming up now. “Biden is being hit with this before he's even announced he's running. His allies believe it’s because he's polling way ahead of the field and is a likely front runner,” she concluded her report.
The transcript is below, click "expand" below:
NBC Nightly News
April 1, 2019
7:07:02 p.m. EasternLESTER HOLT: As he weighs leaping into the race for president, Joe Biden tonight is gapping with another woman’s accusation of unwanted touching just days after a former Nevada legislator went public with her own story of an uncomfortable physical encounter with the former V.P. Andrea Mitchell has the latest.
[Cuts to video]
ANDREA MITCHELL: Tonight a second woman, a former Democratic campaign volunteer, posting on Facebook that Joe Biden touched her inappropriately at a Connecticut fundraiser. Amy Lappos saying he “rubbed noses” with her in 2009. Unwanted contact she described as not sexual. In a statement saying, “uninvited affection is not okay. Objectifying women is not okay.” Her account not verified by NBC News. She said she came forward after former Nevada candidate Lucy Flores said Biden made her uncomfortable in 2014.
LUCY FLORES: He leans down, smells my hair, and then plants this big, long kiss on the top of my head. [transition] I'm not in any way suggesting that I felt sexual assaulted or sexually harassed. I felt invaded.
MITCHELL: Biden issued a statement that, “I have offered countless handshakes, hugs, expressions of affection, support and comfort and not once - never - did I believe I acted inappropriately. Defending him, former Defense Secretary Ash Carter's wife Stephanie, for this much-criticized shoulder rub in 2015.
She writes, he was just a close friend offering support. Biden's spokesman today blasting what he calls “a cottage industry of lies” about the former vice president, including this cropped image with a boy. In fact, it was Biden comforting his grandson at Beau Biden's funeral. Now, all of it a 2020 campaign issue. Have you seen him being too huggy, too touchy-feely?
SEN. AMY KLOBUCHAR: I personally haven't seen that.
SEN. ELIZABETH WARREN: I believe Lucy Flores and Joe Biden needs to give an answer.
SEN. BURNIE SANDERS: I have no reason not to believe Lucy.
[Cuts back to live]
MITCHELL: Biden is being hit with this before he's even announced he's running. His allies believe it’s because he's polling way ahead of the field and is a likely front runner. Lester?
HOLT: Andrea Mitchell in our Washington newsroom, thank you.
