Former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams has something to say about the sexual assault allegation against presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden: “I believe Joe Biden.”
Abrams — who has been very vocal about her desire to become Biden’s running mate — defended the former vice president against the allegation.
Her response follows after the allegation made by Tara Reade and the Business Insider article published on Monday about Reade’s former neighbor remembering hearing about the allegation in 1995 or 1996.
Abrams told the Huffington Post in an email, “I believe women deserve to be heard, and I believe that has happened here. The allegations have been heard and looked into, and for too many women, often, that is not the case.”
However, she continued to say that reports do not suggest anything than what she already knows about Biden, that he will “make women proud.”
“The New York Times conducted a thorough investigation, and nothing in the Times review or any other later reports suggests anything other than what I already know about Joe Biden: That he will make women proud as the next President of the United States.
Abrams also defended the presumptive Democratic nominee on Tuesday evening in an interview with CNN’s Don Lemon.
“I believe Joe Biden,” she said, adding, “I know Joe Biden and I think that he is telling the truth, and that this did not happen.”
As Don Lemon noted, Abrams said in 2018 that it was “shameful” Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s case was “being rushed forward.” He then asked her if she is “applying a different standard now.”
She responded, “Not at all. I believe then and I believe now that women deserve to be heard because too often they are not. Tara Reade deserves to have her story listened to and investigated.”
See Abrams’ comments below:
CNN's Don Lemon grills Stacey Abrams on Tara Reade's sexual assault allegation against Joe Biden:
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) April 29, 2020
“I believe Joe Biden… I know Joe Biden and I think that he is telling the truth, and that this did not happen.” pic.twitter.com/3tIjU6hKdh
Reade is among other women who have accused Biden of inappropriate touching. Reade, a former Biden aide, alleged that while Biden was a senator that he sexually assaulted her in 1993.
Biden’s campaign has denied the allegation, saying in a statement:
“He authored and fought for the passage and reauthorization of the landmark Violence Against Women Act. He firmly believes that women have a right to be heard — and heard respectfully. Such claims should also be diligently reviewed by an independent press. What is clear about this claim: It is untrue. This absolutely did not happen.”
On Tuesday, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton endorsed Biden for president, saying, “We need a leader, a president like Joe Biden.”
Reade responded to Clinton’s endorsement, accusing her of “enabling powerful men to cover up their sexual predatory behaviors and their inappropriate sexual misconduct.”
Additionally, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) tossed her support behind Biden this week, where she called him “a leader who is the personification of hope and courage, values, authenticity, and integrity.”
The allegation against the presumptive Democratic candidate and his latest endorsements has stirred up comparisons between Biden’s allegation and Kavanaugh’s case.
