“Tara Reade’s allegations against Joe Biden demand action.” – Elizabeth Bruenig, The New York Times
Opinion |
Democrats, It’s Time to Consider a Plan B
By Elizabeth Bruenig
Ms. Bruenig is an opinion writer.
The New York Times – If you’re lucky when you report your sexual assault, you’ll become known as a person who was sexually assaulted.
If you’re unlucky, you’ll become known as a person who lied about being sexually assaulted.
It could still go either way for Tara Reade.
In March, Ms. Reade told journalist Katie Halper on Halper’s podcast that she had been sexually assaulted by Joe Biden in 1993, while working in his Senate office.
Ms. Reade contends that, sometime in the spring of that year, Mr. Biden forced her against a wall, shoved his hand up her skirt, and forced his fingers into her vagina.
Mr. Biden has unequivocally denied Ms. Reade’s allegations.
“In the United States, one in three women has experienced some type of sexual violence.” – Office on Women’s Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Since the interview with Ms. Halper, an ad hoc vetting of Ms. Reade’s claims has unfolded in the media.
Those who doubt Ms. Reade cite the fact that she has exhibited unusual behavior over the years, such as using several aliases; that she praised Mr. Biden occasionally; that she made different allegations at different times; that her recollection of the alleged incident is spotty in places.
Those who believe her point out that reporters were able to locate a 1993 clip of “Larry King Live” which features Ms. Reade’s mother calling in to ask an attorney who represented whistle-blowers about what her daughter’s options were, after having serious problems with a “prominent senator”; that a then-neighbor of Ms. Reade’s has confirmed she spoke with Ms. Reade about the incident in the mid-1990s; that her brother and friends remember a contemporaneous disclosure as well.
I have my own impressions regarding Ms. Reade’s allegations, but no one — save Ms. Reade and Mr. Biden — knows with certainty whether her claims are true.
What I can assert with firm conviction is that Democrats ought to start considering a backup plan for 2020.
Ms. Reade’s account is not nearly as incredible as some have argued … Read more.
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