'Biden pushed and poked me,' Iowa supporter responds after aggressive interaction with 2020 Democratic frontrunner
Democratic 2020 frontrunner and former Vice President Joe Biden has been receiving backlash on social media for his aggressive behavior towards an Iowa supporter who questioned him on his policies on climate change. The supporter, identified as Ed Fallon, also wrote about Biden's confrontational stance in a blog post, stating that the former vice president's behavior "shocked" him.
Fallon, on January 28, approached the 2020 Dem presidential candidate at a campaign event in the Hawkeye State, and questioned him about new pipeline constructions. The 77-year-old, however, instead of responding to Fallon's concerns, hit back, saying: "Go vote for someone else." Biden then aggressively prodded the voter in his chest when Fallon continued to press him on his take on climate change. The former vice president also appeared to hold Fallon by his lapels.
Shortly after a clip of the pair's confrontational interaction went viral on social media, Fallon took to his blog to write about the incident. "Despite his repeated calls for unity, Biden rejects my offer to support him in the general election," the Iowan wrote.
"That really shocked me. What was even more shocking was how Biden pushed and poked me, and then took hold of my jacket with both hands as he lectured me." Fallon previously served in the Iowa general assembly and leads an organization working on the climate crisis.
"I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it one more time: Joe Biden is the Democratic candidate LEAST likely to beat Donald Trump. His demeanor on the stump will inevitably come back to bite him, perhaps repeatedly," Fallon wrote. "His propensity to violate personal space is a huge non-asset in politics, and his frequent gaffes are prime fodder for opponents and the media. Most important, Biden is simply wrong on climate change, and out-of-step with voters on so many issues."
Biden's reaction to Fallon's question was not appreciated on social media either. Multiple Twitter users slammed him on the micro-blogging site, calling his stance "too aggressive," with some even calling him a bully.
A Twitter user wrote: "Joe Biden is one agressive, condescending bully who consistently disrespects anyone who challenges him or rises a question he is not willing to deal with. A voter, a journalist, they all get the same disrespect from him, just wait to see how will behave if he becomes a president."
"The touching is definitely a power thing. It’s agressive while pretending to be nice and polite. Joe is asserting his dominance and this guy can’t believe this shit. @JoeBiden is going to end up hitting someone on the trail," another user wrote.
The former vice president has had three ugly experiences with voters in Iowa and New Hampshire while interacting with the audience, and the latest one comes just days before the Iowa caucuses scheduled on February 3.