Article snippet: The report comes as several women have come forward to accuse former Vice President and possible 2020 Democrat presidential candidate Joe Biden of inappropriate touching in recent days. The Daily Mail reports: In his first public appearance since the allegations, Biden on Friday made light of his tendency to be affectionate while delivering a speech aimed at winning back the white, blue-collar workers who backed President Donald Trump in 2016. In a pointed reference to his own current controversy, at the beginning of the 40-minute speech, the former vice president embraced Lonnie Stephenson, the male president of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. He told his audience, “I just want you to know, I had permission to hug Lonnie.” The quip was met with cheers. Biden was alluding to a controversy that began last week as he gears up for a presidential run. Nevada politician Lucy Flores said she was uncomfortable when Biden kissed her on the back of the head backstage at a 2014 campaign event. Halfway through his speech, Biden invited children on stage and shook their hands. “Hey all those kids, you want to come up on the stage, you can come up, it’s okay, come on up, come one,” said the 76-year-old. “Any kids can come up.” “By the way, he gave me permission to touch him, okay?” he then cracked before adding, “Everyone knows I like kids better than people.” After his remarks, Biden told reporters he would not apologize for his affectionate style and co... Link to the full article to read more