- The Washington Times - Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Tuesday that he “laughed” when he found out that Vice President Joseph R. Biden put his hands on the shoulders of his wife Stephanie during Mr. Carter’s swearing-in ceremony last month.

“Oh, I laughed. I laughed. I laughed,” Mr. Carter told Savannah Guthrie on NBC’s “Today” show. “They know each other extremely well, and we’re great friends with the Bidens.”

At the White House ceremony, Mr. Biden placed his hands on Mrs. Carter’s shoulders and whispered in her ear while her husband was speaking at the podium.

She said later she wasn’t offended, but photographs showed her with an uncomfortable expression, and the episode raised criticism of similar close encounters that Mr. Biden has had with women at public events.

At the annual Gridiron dinner in Washington earlier this month, President Obama joked about Mr. Biden’s touchy-feely moment with Mrs. Carter.

“Joe rubs my shoulders too,” Mr. Obama said. “I just wanted everybody to know. He does. It’s not bad, it feels pretty good.  I don’t let him give me a pedicure, but …”

• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.

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