Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, speaking with an online networking group for women, addressed a sexual assault allegation levied against Democrat presidential nominee Joe Biden.
The New York Representative, unlike other leftists, is not ready to sweep the allegations under the rug, declaring that doing so is “a form of gaslighting.”
Tara Reade, a former staff assistant to then-Senator Joe Biden, claims she was sexually assaulted by him in 1993.
Reade filed a criminal complaint with the sexual assault unit of the Washington, DC, Metropolitan Police Department, this past Thursday.
NEW @AOC weighs in on @JoeBiden assault allegation and says “it’s legitimate to talk about these things.” She said she finds “this kind of silencing of all dissent to be a form of gaslighting.” Biden camp denies allegation. @CBSNews w/@ellee_watson https://t.co/wDD8DF657Z
— Bo Erickson CBS (@BoKnowsNews) April 15, 2020
RELATED: AOC Intends To Support Biden, But Will Make Things ‘Uncomfortable For Everyone Involved’
Creepy To Women
To her credit, unlike the vast majority of her colleagues, AOC is saying “it’s legitimate to talk about” the allegations against Biden.
One questioner during the event said she “really resent[s] the fact that the other choice [Biden] is someone who has a really long history of being creepy to women.”
“What you’re voicing is so legitimate and real,” Ocasio-Cortez responded. “That’s why I find this kind of silencing of all dissent to be a form of gaslighting.”
“I think it’s legitimate to talk about these things,” she continued. “And if we want, if we again want to have integrity, you can’t say, you know — both believe women, support all of this, until it inconveniences you, until it inconveniences us.”
“I find this kind of silencing of all dissent to be a form of gaslighting.” @AOC https://t.co/mL8D9gCRn5
— Krystal Ball (@krystalball) April 15, 2020
RELATED: Trump Taunts Biden: ‘Can’t See’ AOC Supporting Him
Media is Running Cover
AOC’s legitimizing of Reade’s claims runs contrary to the media narrative that all allegations against Republicans or conservatives are fair game, but those against Democrats should be silenced.
The New York Times, for example, waited quite some time to report on Reade’s story. When they eventually did, they claimed there was “no pattern of sexual misconduct by Biden, beyond hugs, kisses and touching that women previously said made them uncomfortable.”
And even then, when the Biden campaign complained about the report, the Times happily eliminated the second half of that sentence.
the New York Times accurately (and hilariously) tweeted a list of Joe Biden’s sexual misconduct, then erased it from the story, then deleted the tweet altogether.
If you wonder why no one takes the mainstream media seriously anymore, look no further than this pic.twitter.com/rR15uzckuc
— Kevin (@KAGkevin2020) April 12, 2020
Believe Some Women
Whether the Times wants to admit it or not, Biden does have a history of conduct that has made numerous women uncomfortable.
Several have accused him of either inappropriate or unwanted touching.
Evidence through imagery has abounded for some time, but the actual allegations began with former Nevada Assemblywoman Lucy Flores, who alleged Biden inappropriately kissed her and smelled her hair.
Eight women have accused Joe Biden of inappropriately touching them. One alleges sexual assault.
When Lucy Flores came forward, Elizabeth Warren said, “Joe Biden needs to give an answer.”
To date, Joe Biden has failed to adequately answer for these accusations.#UnEndorseBiden https://t.co/ZCF9HEu7E0 pic.twitter.com/ZmPRiPnwxC
— ?ASisterforBernie? (@BernForBernie20) March 27, 2020
Failing to discuss these allegations is the “exact opposite of integrity” AOC said, warning that it is “not okay” to prioritize beating Trump over “very legitimate thing[s].”
In a telephone interview with the New York Times a few days ago, Ocasio-Cortez said she would support Biden, but vowed the process in getting there would “be uncomfortable for everyone involved.”
She’s keeping her word.
