Article snippet: WASHINGTON (AP) — Joe Biden on Monday forcefully rejected comparisons of his embrace of colleagues, friends and their families during swearing-in ceremonies as vice president and the 2014 allegation he says he can’t recall involving a Democratic candidate in Nevada. The questions about whether Biden’s long history of physical expression, with heightened scrutiny in the #MeToo movement, prompted Biden to defend his actions, arguing he doesn’t believe he ever acted inappropriately. But Biden’s team likened associating images of Biden hugging or leaning in to speak to colleagues, friends and their family members to ‘‘smears’’ by ‘‘right wing trolls.’’ Biden has defended his interactions with women, saying he doesn’t believe he’s ever acted inappropriately. But a Nevada politician’s assertion that Biden’s kiss on the back of her head made her feel uncomfortable prompted some Democrats to question whether the 76-year-old is too out of step with his own party to run a successful 2020 presidential campaign. The episode, recounted by Democrat Lucy Flores , highlighted an aspect of Biden’s persona that has been publicly known for years: the affectionate whispers, hugs and shoulder squeezes he has long doled out to women, often on camera and at high-profile public events. In a moment of national reckoning over sexual harassment and the treatment of women by powerful men, some Democrats said Biden’s actions have taken on a new light. ‘‘It looks different in 2019,’’ said Mar... Link to the full article to read more