Poll Suggests Few Voters Care About Biden’s Handsy Approach To Politics

during commencement for the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn., Wednesday, May 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
FILE - In this May 22, 2013 file photo, Newly commissioned officer Erin Talbot, left, poses for a photograph with Vice President Joe Biden during commencement for the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, ... FILE - In this May 22, 2013 file photo, Newly commissioned officer Erin Talbot, left, poses for a photograph with Vice President Joe Biden during commencement for the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn. As former Vice President Biden's camp scrambles to contain any political damage over his past behavior with women, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has some words of advice: Keep your distance. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill) MORE LESS
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A new poll suggests that few voters may care about Vice President Joe Biden’s overly physical approach to politics.

A Quinnipiac University survey of California voters released Wednesday morning found that two thirds of all voters and two thirds of women in the state say allegations that Biden inappropriately touched a number of women in a nonsexual way are “not a serious issue.” Fully 71% of California Democrats said the same in the poll.

Biden has faced more than a week of intense media scrutiny for his handsy approach to politics after multiple women came forward to say he’d made them uncomfortable with unwanted physical contact that many described as paternalistic or condescending. The story dominated cable news and the left-wing Twitter-sphere for most of last week.

Pollster Tim Malloy says the poll’s results show voters are “clearly unconcerned” about the scandal.

These numbers could definitely shift — Quinnipiac was in the field from April 3-8, starting Wednesday of last week as the story was still developing and largely before Biden repeatedly joked about the controversies during a Friday speech. Voters often take some time to digest new developments before their opinions are set, the story has yet to be fully litigated by Biden and his rivals, and it’s unclear if others may come forward with new complaints that could keep the story alive.

But right now, the issue doesn’t look to be doing much damage to Biden.

The vice president leads the field in California, a key early primary state in the 2020 election. Biden has the support of 26% of voters, with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) at 18% and Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) in third place in her home state at 17%. None of the other Democratic candidates are polling in double digits in the state.

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Notable Replies

  1. He’s a freakin’ chaste orthodox monk compared to tRump. Many reasons not to pull for Biden, this is pretty far down the list IMHO.

    But I still prefer him to Benie. Good lord this is going to be a grueling haul to election day.

  2. Joe’s time has passed. And if the Dems pick another 1990’s throwback, their time will have passed, too.

  3. Avatar for saraf saraf says:

    “voters are “clearly unconcerned” about the scandal.”

    SCANDAL?

    Sounds like we’re getting the journalist’s opinion, instead of reporting. How about using a non-loaded word, like “issue”?

  4. Avatar for hjs62 hjs62 says:

    "Fully 71% of California Democrats said the same in the poll."

    Comforting to know that California Democrats are still sane.

  5. It’s the fact that he still doesn’t seem to get why it’s not okay. I’ll say it again, it’s Boot-Edge-Edge time.

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