Biden: 'I'm not sorry for anything that I have ever done'

Former US Vice President Joe Biden has said that he's not sorry for his past actions that some women have said were inappropriate, as the potential 2020 Democratic presidential candidate faces a growing crisis.

“The fact of the matter is I made it clear that if I made anyone feel [uncomfortable], I feel badly about that. It was never my intention. Ever," Biden said on Friday, a day after three more women accused Biden of inappropriate touching.

Asked again if he was sorry for his actions, Biden refused to apologize for his actions.

"I’m sorry I didn’t understand more," Biden told reporters. "I’m not sorry for any of my intentions. I’m not sorry for anything that I have ever done. I have never been disrespectful intentionally to a man or a woman. So that’s not the reputation I’ve had since I was in high school, for God’s sake."

The additional allegations were reported by The Washington Post on Thursday, bringing the total number of women who have brought forward complaints about Biden since last week to seven.

Biden released a video on Wednesday, promising to be more "mindful and respectful" of women and said his touching was all about making a "human connection."

"It's just who I am," Biden says in the video posted on Twitter. "I've never thought of politics as cold or antiseptic."

But he says he understands the culture in the US has shifted and so should his behavior. "I get it. I get it. I hear what they're saying. I understand," Biden says. "I’ll be much more mindful."

The string of accusations began after Lucy Flores, a former member of the Nevada state Legislature, accused Biden of "demeaning and disrespectful" behavior when he allegedly kissed the back of her head.

The accusations have 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.

Biden has a reputation for awkwardly touching the wives, mothers or daughters of senators during swearing-in ceremonies, and he came under criticism for massaging the shoulders of then defense secretary Ash Carter's wife in 2015.

On Friday Biden told reporters that he did not intend to "make light of anyone's discomfort."

“It was not my intent to make light of anyone’s discomfort," Biden said after the speech. "I realize my responsibility is to not invade the space of anyone who is uncomfortable.”

Biden has long been touted as a serious rival for President Donald Trump in the upcoming vote, but the touching allegations have seriously undermined his chances to run a forceful presidential campaign.

Trump, who has himself been accused of sexual misconduct by several women, has taunted Biden repeatedly in recent days. On Thursday he shared a doctored video that mocked Biden over the allegations.

PressTV-Trump: 'I don't see Biden as a threat'

US President Donald Trump has said he doesn’t view former Vice President Joe Biden as a threat to his reelection bid in the 2020 election.

On Friday, Trump said he doesn’t view Biden as a threat to his reelection chances.

"I don't see him as a threat," Trump told reporters. "I think he's only a threat to himself."

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