Joe Biden’s ‘woman problem’ and the future of his campaign

Joe Biden’s long legislative record collided with Joe Biden the presidential candidate yet again this week, and the result was disastrous. But it is only the latest example of Biden and his lack of support for women since he entered the 2020 presidential campaign.

The first problem for Biden was a series of complaints about him inappropriately touching women over the years. After multiple failed attempts at making an apology about the situation, Biden settled into awkward self-deprecating humor that few found funny.

The second problem occurred when it was revealed that Biden apologized to Anita Hill for his handling of the confirmation hearing where she testified against Clarence Thomas’ nomination for the Supreme Court. The apology was offered 28 years after the fact and only weeks before he entered the race. Hill rejected Biden’s apology stating “I cannot be satisfied by simply saying ‘I’m sorry for what happened to you.’ I will be satisfied when I know there is real change, real accountability, and real purpose.”

Then, as the public criticism increased, Biden’s response made it worse. “To this day,” he said, “I regret I couldn’t come up with a way to get her the kind of hearing she deserved.” Of course, Biden was the chairman of the Judiciary Committee running the hearing when Hill testified and could have done just that.

Now, it is Biden’s 43-year support of the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits public funding of abortion, that’s exploded on the national stage. Biden’s longtime rationale for his support has been his Catholic faith. But, countless Catholic elected officials have long separated their personal religious beliefs with their responsibilities as public servants. Not Joe Biden. He clung to this position for almost half a century – until last week. Then he changed it in 24 hours.