New allegations of sexual misconduct have surfaced this week against Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
According to reports, the growing scandal has led to some uncomfortable interactions between White House press conference Jen Psaki and members of the media.
“She hasn’t said anything”
On Tuesday, Fox News Channel reporter Kristen Fisher asked Psaki whether either President Joe Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris would be offering any direct comments on the matter — and the Biden spokeswoman did not appear eager to provide an answer.
In particular, the reporter recalled that Harris made a point of focusing on allegations against U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his 2018 confirmation hearings.
“She said repeatedly, ‘I believe them, the women,’ but she hasn’t said anything about the three women who are accusing Gov. Andrew Cuomo,” she said. “And now this third accuser, Anna Ruch, she actually worked for the Harris campaign.”
Driving to the point of her query, Fisher asked: “So, at what point is the first female vice president going to say something about this?”
Psaki offered a reply, though it likely offered little satisfaction to those clamoring for a clear statement from Harris.
“Treated with dignity and treated with respect”
“I know that’s how the vice president continues to feel,” the White House press secretary said. “I can certainly speak on behalf of the president and the vice president, and so let me reiterate that they both believe that every woman coming forward should be heard, should be treated with dignity and treated with respect.”
For her part, Fisher shot back that “it’s one thing to hear it” from Psaki, adding that she “appreciated” the statement, “but it’s another thing to hear it from the vice president or the president himself.”
Psaki repeated the position that she is qualified to speak for both Biden and Harris, stressing that the administration wants to see a full, independent investigation of the matter.
Of course, Harris was notably less concerned about providing Biden’s accusers a forum after she joined his campaign as running mate. In April 2019, she insisted that the multiple women who accused Biden of inappropriate behavior deserved to be believed and respected for “being able to tell their story and having the courage to do it.”
She struck a different tone after joining the Democratic nominee’s ticket, declaring: “The Joe Biden I know is somebody who really has fought for women and empowerment of women and for women’s equality and rights.”
The post Psaki dodges question about whether Biden or Harris would address Cuomo allegations first appeared on Conservative Institute.
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