Politico: “Biden joined the race on the heels of a rough period in which six women publicly complained that Biden’s past touching made them uncomfortable. From his slow response to the controversy and the lack of apology, it wasn’t quite clear if the 76-year-old former vice president could adjust to the realities of campaigning in the #MeToo era — or if the criticism of the overly familiar physical contact even registered.”

“But after nearly a week on the campaign trail, including nearly a half-dozen events in Pittsburgh, Iowa and South Carolina, it appears Biden got the message. Gone are the episodes of canoodling with voters, replaced by a less tactile brand of retail politicking marked by selfies and more physical reserve than Biden is accustomed to.”

New York Times: “Likability: It is nebulous, arbitrary and meaningless, yet inescapable — and female politicians seem to be particularly burdened with it even when they win and especially when they run for president.”

“The idea that we should like our politicians predates women’s suffrage, let alone women in politics. Pushed by Madison Avenue and preached by self-help gurus, likability is a standard that history shows us was created and sold by men. The bad news is that means it’s a tricky fit for women. The good news is that what was invented once can be reinvented.”

Pew Research: “During the last presidential election, nearly all campaign events were held in just 12 states… Nearly two-thirds of events were held in Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Only Virginia voted for Clinton.”

The consensus map for 2020 currently shows just seven states as Toss Ups.

“The country’s most powerful liberal donor club is reshaping its spending for the 2020 election, playing down longtime relationships with groups in Washington and instead preparing to pour $100 million into key states to help defeat President Trump,” Politico reports.

“The group, the Democracy Alliance, wants to fund everything from programs combating social media disinformation to candidate training sessions leading up to the election and the next round of redistricting.”