Joe Biden hasn’t had the best week.
Already on the defensive for referring to predatory lenders as “Shylocks” and calling Asia “the Orient,” Biden on Friday praised a former Republican senator who resigned following widespread sexual harassment allegations — during a speech devoted to women’s issues.
“It’s Republicans who were involved, guys like Mac Mathias [R-Md.] and [Bob] Packwood [R-Oregon] and so many others,” Biden said in remarks to the Democratic National Committee, saying today’s antagonistic Republican Party doesn’t resemble the GOP that used to work across the aisle.
The only problem?
Packwood was forced out of the upper chamber in 1995 after the Senate Ethics Committee voted to expel him for sexual misconduct. Nearly 20 women accused Packwood of harassment.
Biden also used his remarks to endorse vulnerable Democratic senators, including Sens. Mary Landrieu, D-La., Kay Hagan, D-N.C. and Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H.
In a gaffe-filled week, however, Biden’s remarks will be remembered for yet another foot-in-mouth moment.
“This is getting out of control — even for Uncle Joe,” said one GOP House aide. “But everybody gives him the benefit of the doubt because he does [stuff] like this every day.”
